Lightweight knockout artist Edson Barboza (20-7, 12 KOs, 1 SUB) will meet action fighter Paul Felder (16-4, 10 KOs, 1 SUB) at UFC 242 on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at The Arena at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 2pm ET.
On a night filled with matchups featuring dominating wrestlers, UFC 242’s co-main event between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder should provide electric striking highlights. Both men are certainly no strangers to taking risks and collecting Fight of the Night bonuses.
Barboza’s personal highlight reel is basically a mixtape of stunning athletic knockouts - from his spinning wheel kick that stiffened Terry Etim to the flying knee that nearly decapitated Beneil Dariush. That first example was a Knockout of the Year, and the second was a runner-up.
However, the 33-year old is currently in the midst of a 1-3 slide - a career-worst stretch. However, we can forgive losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kevin Lee and Justin Gaethje. While he might not be a championship contender, he’s an elite gatekeeper in the UFC’s most competitive weight class.
Paul Felder’s got a huge opportunity here to become a fringe title contender. While well-respected, “The Irish Dragon” has yet to notch a signature UFC victory in 12 appearances. He also comes into the matchup having won four straight at 155 pounds. Most recently, Felder earned a decision win over James Vick at UFC on ESPN 1 this past February.
As expected, online oddsmakers opened with Barboza as the favorite. Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your best betting options. Live UFC betting at the online sportsbook lets you make in-play wagers during the fight.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Edson Barboza -180
Paul Felder +140
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: check the online sportsbook
Significant Striking Stats
Landed per minute: Barboza 4.01 / Felder 3.53
Striking accuracy: Barboza 42% / Felder 43%
Absorbed per minute: Barboza 4.18 / Felder 3.08
Striking defense: Barboza 60% / Felder 50%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Barboza 0.46 / Felder 0.32
Takedown accuracy: Babroza 46% / Felder 33%
Takedown defense: Barboza 80% / Felder 59%
Submission average: Barboza 0.07 / Felder 0.32
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Don’t expect this to go to the mat. Felder isn’t a good enough wrestler to bring down Barboza, and Barboza has absolutely no desire to grapple.
There aren’t many guys that can hang with Barboza in a pure kickboxing battle. Even at 34, he is one of the division’s best athletes, and any moment where he’s standing is one where a finish can happen. Though he’s known mostly for his flashy kicks, his fast hands are just as lethal.
Any opponent will have to be weary for attacks at all levels - Barboza’s leg kicks are legendarily painful, and he’s ended fights with both body and head kicks. Fighters guilty of primarily headhunting also need to watch how Barboza will target an area for an entire bout: Anthony Pettis’ lead leg looked like a dead lamb shank after a steady diet of leg kicks, while Dan Hooker could barely stand straight after eating an ungodly amount of body shots.
Felder is absoultely fearless inside the octagon, and that’s needed against Barboza. The flashy strikes are nice, and he’s especially good at standing elbows (notching three straight finishes with them at one point). The Brazilian isn’t used to such reckless offense, and it could throw him off his game. Felder’s underrated clinch game could serve to suffocate his opponent as well.
UFC Odds Pick: Felder to win at +140
At first glance, Barboza seems like an easy pick in a striker’s matchup. But he’s also a fighter that tends to start wilting when his opponents don’t back down - and Felder is a guy that will pressure the hell out of him. Felder is a live ‘dog here, and at this price we’re willing to take a chance that he’ll figure out a way to beat Barboza.
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