Former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (22-8, 9 KOs, 2 SUBs) will meet rising middleweight Eryk Anders (10-0, 6 KOs, 1 SUB) at UFC Fight Night 125 on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Guilherme Paraense Arena in Belem, Brazil. The card airs live on FS1. Bet on the latest UFC odds and get the latest previews, predictions and picks at BookMaker.eu now!
This Saturday could mark the last stand of Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida. The former light heavyweight champion is 39 years old, in a 1-4 slide and is facing his most unheralded opponent since 2007. The Brazilian is undoubtedly part of the “old guard”, and his time is nearly up.
Will Eryk “Ya Boy” Anders be the fighter that fades Machida into irrelevance? We’ll find out this Saturday, when they meet in the main event of UFC Fight Night 125 in Belem, Brazil.
Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down the matchup, along with your best betting options.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Lyoto Machida +220
Eryk Anders -280
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over +165, under -190
Matchup Breakdown
Machida still has his expert karate skillset, but his margin forever is slim - especially against athletes like Anders. One year shy of 40 and removed from a yearlong ban for PEDs, Machida’s catlike reflexes are gone, as his ability to take prolonged punishment. All you need to do is look at his last three losses - all of which he met an early demise.
Luke Rockhold muscled him to the ground and cranked out an RNC. Romero did the same, except he pounded him out with elbows. Derek Brunson needed just half a round to lay him out with punches. In all those, we saw flashes of the old Machida: the wide, bouncy karate stance and the quick-blitz offense.
But being a step slower, with a few more cracks in the chin can be all the difference inside the octagon. He’s relying on experience and muscle memory alone at this point, but for somebody as decorated as Machida that’s enough to win against mid-tier opponents.
Is the undefeated Anders more than a midcard fighter? At 10-0, he is a prospect to watch - albeit one who is largely untested against at the higher levels of the sport. But from all appearances, the former Alabama linebacker is a blue chip prospect with elite athleticism to base his growing game on.
UFC Betting Tips
Like we said before, explosive athletes are the bane of the older Machida’s existence. And Anders’ fast-twitch reflexes are no joke. While he didn’t make it into the NFL, it wasn’t because he wasn’t quick or strong enough. While Machida’s craftiness will make this a difficult ordeal to begin with, Anders should be able to overcome the enigmatic style with his quickness and speed.
Anders to win is the pick, and if you’re feeling really lucky, then take him by TKO/KO. Our advice is to go with the safe play, since Machida is easily the most experienced opponent he’s ever faced.
UFC Odds Pick: Anders to win at -280
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UFC Fight Night 125 takes place on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Guilherme Paraense Arena in Belem, Brazil. The card airs live on FS1.
