The UFC heads to Rio de Janeiro this Saturday for a pay-per-view card featuring some of Brazil’s best and brightest MMA fighters. Today, let’s take a look at the notable fights outside of the main and co-main event - and there are a few that are worth your attention.
MMA legend Vitor Belfort will end his career in a farewell fight against Nate Marquardt. Undefeated prospect Paulo Borrachinha meets knockout artist Oluwale Bamgbose, and former WSOF champion Marlon Moraes jumps right into deep UFC waters against No. 3 Raphael Assuncao.
Check out the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu now, and let’s get into the picks that should help you come out a winner on fight night.
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Middleweight
Vitor Belfort -160
Nate Marquardt +130
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over +180, under -250
Common Sense Says…
The UFC is giving Vitor Belfort a beatable opponent for his farewell fight. Is it a sure thing? Not a chance. Belfort is anything but reliable at this point in his career. But every argument you can make against him - his age, the miles on his body - you can make against his opponent, Nate Marquardt.
They’re both old guys that really can’t take much damage nor go deep into fights anymore. You can’t trust either one - and that makes the underdog (regardless of who it is) the pick to make. Belfort will be fired up to deliver one more win in front of his countrymen, but the guy really has nothing after the first round.
UFC odds pick: Marquardt to win at +130
Middleweight
Paulo Henrique Costa -275
Oluwale Bambgose +210
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over +185, under -275
Common Sense Says…
Costa is 9-0 with eight KOs and one SUB - all of which came in the first round. Bambgose is 6-2 with six first-round KOs. Obviously, these guys really don’t think much of the feeling out process early in fights.
It’s always difficult to pick a winner when two relatively unknown KO artists meet, so you best choice here is the under. Bambgose in particular reverts to free swinging whenever he gets uncomfortable, and “Borrachinha” will be all too happy to oblige.
UFC odds pick: Under 1.5 rounds at -275
Bantamweight
Marlon Moraes -178
Raphael Assuncao +148
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -250, under +180
Common Sense Says…
It’s about time Moraes steps into the octagon. The Florida native went undefeated in the WSOF, racking up 11 wins and putting a stranglehold on the bantamweight belt. He belongs in the world’s best MMA promotion. But is he ready to meet one of the world’s best bantamweights?
Assuncao has won eight of his last nine, including a split decision over former champion T.J. Dillashaw (though he lost in a rematch). The Brazilian also is coming off a tough split decision victory over Aljamain Sterling and counts contender Bryan Caraway as one of his victims. Considering his experience and Moraes’ possible bout with UFC jitters, Assuncao is the pick.
UFC odds pick: Assuncao to win at +148
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UFC 212 takes place on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The card airs on pay-per-view after the FS1 prelims.
