No. 15 featherweight Mirsad Bektic (11-1, 5 KOs, 3 SUBs) will meet Brazil’s Godofredo “Pepey” Castro (13-5, 4 KOs, 8 SUBs) at UFC on FOX 27 on January 27, 2018 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The main card airs live on FOX starting 8 p.m. ET. Bet on the latest UFC odds and get the latest previews, predictions and picks at BookMaker.eu now!
The last time we saw Mirsad Bektic in action, the uber-prospect was on the wrong end of the 2017 Upset of the Year. His stunning loss at the hands of Darren Elkins in March 2017 was also his first career defeat. This Saturday, he’ll look to rebound against Brazil’s Godofredo “Pepey” Castro - a tough vet with 12 finishes in 13 career victories. Though Bektic lost some shine after the Elkins fight, he still remains one of the most tantalizing featherweight prospects in the UFC. However, a loss to Pepey would be downright catastrophic.
Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down the matchup, along with your best bets.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Mirsad Bektic -585
Godofredo Pepey +425
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -130, under +110
Matchup Breakdown
Bektic was hailed as a future champion for good reason. The 26-year old is a fantastic athlete with an extremely well-rounded skillset. He is a natural pressure fighter with a good jab, and can hold his own in a sparring match with his tight three-punch combinations. Nobody would mistake him for a kickboxer though - his hype comes from a deadly grappling game.
The Bosnian mainly uses his strikes to set up his takedowns, and he is very good at both blast doubles or chain takedowns against the fence. Once he’s on top, the man is a beast. Much like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Bektic excels at pinning opponents in place and going to town with hammerfists and elbows.
Castro is a ridiculously aggressive fighter, throwing caution to the wind and hunting from a finish from start to end. The Brazilian is always willing to brawl or chase a high-risk submission, and his wildness tends to confuse a lot of inexperienced fighters. It’s worked more often than not, and Bektic’s loss to Elkins followed a similar manner.
UFC Betting Tips
While Bektic was caught unawares by Elkins, we don’t expect a repeat against Pepey. That was a tough learning experience for the rising prospect, but it will leave him better prepared for guys like Castro. The safe play here is Bektic to win, and the rounds over also is a solid opportunity as well. For all of Bektic’s strengths, he is still very much a grinder who usually needs time to separate himself from opponents.
UFC Odds Pick: Over 2.5 rounds at -130
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UFC on FOX 27 takes place on January 27, 2018 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The main card airs live on FOX starting 8 p.m. ET.
