After two straight wins at welterweight, Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira - 12-3-1, 8 KOs, 2 SUBs - is ready to try his hand at 155 again. Waiting for him this Saturday is Poland’s Piotr Hallman - 15-4, 7 KOs, 7 SUBs - who will try to bounce back from a two-fight losing streak.
The matchup is set for the main card, and Oliveira - a native Brazilian - will enjoy a homecourt advantage in Sao Paulo.
CURRENT ODDS
Check our online UFC Fight Night 77 odds for the latest money lines on each fighter, and expect Oliveira to be a clear favorite over Hallman. The round total for this three-rounder is likely to be set at 1.5 rounds, with the over being the more expensive play. Prop bets, like whether the fight goes to decision, are also available, as well as live betting once the bout begins. Please note that our odds are updated daily and are subject to change as more action comes in.
FIGHT BREAKDOWN
As mentioned above, Hallman is on a two-fight losing streak and has lost three of his past four, but there are some caveats. One of those losses came against Al Iaquinta, who is now a top-10 fighter at lightweight. Another loss came against a very good Gleison Tibau, and that was a close split decision. Most recently, his defeat against Magomed Mustafaev was the result of a doctor stoppage.
Hallman is a well-rounded fighter who operates at a high pace, slinging head-punch body combinations at long range. The Pole is also plus wrestler who stays heavy when he gets on top and dishes out a steady diet of thudding ground-and-pound. He should also fighting desperate, as he could likely be cut should he lose a third straight fight.
Oliveira is an explosive athlete with plus size and a lengthy frame. He moves exceptionally well at distance, has a great sense of angles and delivers punches and kicks with power. His punching combinations are a lethal mix of hooks, straights and uppercuts in sequence, which prevents opponents from changing levels.
Defensively, Oliveira is too fast to be taken down by all but the best wrestlers, although his own takedowns are a work in progress. When he’s on the mat, Cowboy breaks the typical Brazilian mold with substandard jiu-jitsu, but he’s fantastic at creating scrambles with his athleticism. And at 27 years old, he still has some time to get even better.
There’s a reason that Oliveira is a significant favorite, and it has everything to do with the fact that he’s a freak athlete with fierce striking skills. I don’t see any situation where Hallman has an advantage. On the feet, the Polish fighter will get picked apart, and he’s not strong or quick enough to take Oliveira down and keep him there. This fight should be over by the end of the second round.
THE SMART PLAY
I’m all in on Oliveira to win, although it’s definitely not a cheap play. Although I do think that Oliveira will finish this fight, a 1.5 over/under doesn’t give me too much confidence. Instead, you might want to take a look at the prop bet that this fight doesn’t go to decision, which should have a much better payout. But if you’re looking for the safest play, stick with Oliveira’s straight money line.
HOW TO BET
Sign into BookMaker Sportsbook to get the latest odds odds on Charles Oliveira vs. Piotr Hallman, which takes place on on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Geraldo Jose de Almeida State Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The main card will be televised on FOX Sports 1 starting 10 p.m. ET. Our odds include money lines, totals, prop bets and more.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today!
