Welterweight prospect Neil Magny took a huge risk in fighting dark horse contender Kelvin Gastelum on two weeks notice, and it paid off admirably. The lanky Magny surprisingly controlled the first three rounds before fighting off a furious comeback from Gastelum to hold on for a split decision victory. Let’s take a look at a few possible matchups and some projected odds after the UFC’s foray into Mexico.
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Neil Magny +150
Matt Brown -175
Magny now owns a 9-1 record in his last 10 UFC appearances, and his win over Gastelum as a +250 underdog gives the prospect a real argument for a high-profile matchup. The man he replaced, Matt Brown, is a fine choice. Brown’s relentless pressure would test Magny in an area where he is obviously uncomfortable and force him to evolve his game. At 28 years old, Magny’s time to make a title run is now and a win over a ranked fighter like Brown would put him a few wins away from a title challenge.
Henry Cejudo -200
Demetrious Johnson +250
Cejudo took care of the No. 4 ranked Jussier Formiga with crisp combinations and explosive takedowns en route to a split decision victory. There’s really nothing left to prove for Cejudo as a contender, and a matchup with champion and top pound-for-pound fighter Demetrious Johnson makes sense. DJ would be a clear favorite as he’s looked unstoppable in all of his title defenses thus far.
Ricardo Lamas +175
Max Holloway -125
This matchup assumes that Max Holloway will beat Jeremy Stephens on December 12. Lamas is clearly one of the best featherweights in the division, but he’s already had his shot at Jose Aldo and lost convincingly. Holloway is a blue chip prospect on the rise, and a win over Lamas would give the Hawaiian a real argument for a title shot. For Lamas, beating Holloway would keep his name on a short list of viable contenders.
Kelvin Gastelum -125
Thiago Alves +130
Despite his setback loss to Magny, the 24-year old Gastelum is still brimming with natural talent. He just needs more fights to evolve as a fighter. Former welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves had to pull out of a bout in South Korea, but should be back in action soon. Similar in build as Gastelum, Alves’ standup style matches up well with Gastelum’s preference to strike. It’s definitely a matchup that would allow Gastelum to get back in the win column against a relatively well-regarded veteran.
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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. UFC Fight Night 79 takes place this Saturday, November 28, 2015 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, South Korea. The card will be televised on UFC Fight Pass starting 8 a.m ET.
