After three straight losses in a loaded lightweight division, Anthony Pettis will attempt to revive his career at 145 pounds. The former champion makes his featherweight debut this Saturday, against No. 6 ranked Charles Oliveira -- one of the best submission artists in the weight class. If Pettis can get back on track against the Brazilian, he’ll jump right into contender status in a star-studded division.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Anthony Pettis -190
Charles Oliveira +150
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over +180, under -260
Please note, the UFC odds at BookMaker are updated daily. The lines listed here may have changed since this article was posted.
FIGHT PREVIEW
Two years ago, Pettis seemed poised to become a bona fide star. He was the defending champion and the owner of three straight highlight reel finishes against elite fighters. His combination of athleticism and skill, along with his flashy style, had many labelling him a generational talent.
That all changed when Rafael dos Anjos dethroned him in violent fashion, busting him up for five straight rounds. Pettis then lost his next two fights, close contests against Eddie Alvarez and Edson Barboza. Now, analysts are picking his game -- and mental fortitude -- apart. He still possesses immense talent, but he has to evolve as a fighter to cash in.
Oliveira is an interesting style matchup for “Showtime”, because the Brazilian is laser focused on taking down opponents and submitting them. And right now, defensive wrestling is Pettis’ biggest weakness. If he can easily shrug off the takedowns of “Do Bronx”, we’ll know that the Roufusport fighter has an extremely bright future at featherweight.
If Showtime can force a kickboxing match, this is going to be a very long night for the 26-year old Brazilian. While Oliveira is a good athlete with the explosiveness to change a fight’s complexion, he is not very technical and lacks depth in his striking attacks. Pettis is a guy that rose to fame by jumping off the wall and kicking Benson Henderson in the face.
But he’s also the guy that had no answer for Eddie Alvarez’s game plan of pressing him into the cage and dragging him to the ground. For three grueling rounds, Pettis could not get any offense going even though he knew exactly what was coming. Obviously, he’s hoping that fighting against smaller men will neutralize this tactic.
THE SMART PLAYS
At this point, it’s hard to have faith in Pettis, especially against an athletic equal like Do Bronx. Oliveira only needs to watch the Alvarez fight to know that he has a clear path to victory in this three round fight. The Brazilian can quickly cover distance to make sure that this does not become a glorified sparring match -- where Pettis is most dangerous. Oliveira’s odds as an underdog presents a fantastic bet for gamblers looking for underdogs.
UFC odds: Oliveira UD Pettis
HOW TO BET
With BookMaker’s quick and easy payout options, your winnings are always close at hand. Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today. UFC on FOX 21 takes place on UFC on FOX 21 on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada. The card will air on FOX starting 8 p.m. ET following the prelims on FOX Sports 1.
