Since finishing as a runner-up on TUF 17 and notching the most spectacular knockout on the history of the show, Uriah Hall – 11-5, 7 KOs, 2 SUBs – has failed to live up to considerable expectations. But that can all change in a matchup against the UFC’s No. 6 middleweight, Gegard Mousasi – 37-5, 19 KOs, 12 SUBs. An injury replacement, Hall will have just under a month to prepare for the biggest fight of his life.
CURRENT ODDS
Our UFC Fight Night 75 odds currently list Mousasi as more than a 4-to-1 favorite at -451. Hall is a big underdog at +362. The total on rounds for this three-round matchup will likely be set at 2.5 rounds, with the under being the more expensive bet. Prop bets are usually posted a night or two before the fight, so make sure to check back in for the latest. After the bout starts, live betting is also available.
HIGH RISK, LOW REWARDS FOR MOUSASI
When Mousasi made his UFC debut in 2013, he was widely considered the best fighter outside the UFC at the time. He’s posted a decent 4-2 record since then, but came up short in high-stakes bout against former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and title contender Ronaldo Souza.
At age 30, Mousasi is still considered dark horse title contender, currently ranked No. 6 by the UFC. He needs a signature win to earn prestigious bouts against the welterweight elite, but unfortunately Hall can’t provide that. Not only does “The Dreamcatcher” need to win, he has to do so in convincing fashion.
Hall has a rare opportunity to leap into the top-10 with a victory. So far, he’s squarely in the division’s middle class, with wins over lower level competition and losses against good-but-not great fighters. However, he did garner some momentum with a flashy first round knockout over Oluwale Bamgbose in his most recent outing.
With his willingness to step in on short notice, Hall will jump from fighting on the prelims just over a month ago to headlining a card against a ranked fighter. It’ll be interesting to see how he responds.
FIGHT ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
When Hall is on his game, he delivers explosive power with both hands, lightning-fast kicks and unpredictable spinning strikes. His problem that he fails to throws with much volume, failing to score points against more aggressive fighters. His potential is sky high, but his lack of offense is somewhat puzzling for somebody with so many tools in his belt.
Mousasi is dangerous in every facet of the game. As a former pro boxing, he owns a sharp jab that he blends with a snapping right hand. He is also an underrated kicker, flashing both low and middle kicks with power and speed. However, he is not particularly powerful nor does he set a high pace, and many of his bouts seem to drag at times.
Since Hall doesn’t have the wrestling to take advantage of Mousasi’s weak takedown defense, this fight will likely take place on the feet. And while Hall is the more explosive of the two, Mousasi is by far the more skilled and experienced fighter. I see Mousasi stuffing Hall’s offense behind a crisp jab and picking him apart for three rounds.
HOW TO BET
Sign in to get the latest Gegard Mousasi vs. Uriah Hall odds. BookMaker Sportsbook offers daily updates to money lines, over/under, prop bets and more, so make sure to lock in your bets should you find a favorable wager. The fight takes place at UFC Fight Night 75, on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The main card will air on FOX Sports 1 starting 10 p.m. ET.
Don’t forget to check in during fight night to get live odds. During each fight, BookMaker Sportsbook updates their odds in real-time, so you can keep betting as each fight unfolds on live television. It’s a great way to hedge your bets should you fall behind. With our mobile platform, it’s never been easier to bet on UFC events.
