Rodolfo Bellato vs Murtaza Talha
- Rodolfo Bellato
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 10-2
- UFC Record: 0-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 4-1 striker. Submitted a 5-1 striker and an 11-4 striker. Beat a 15-5 wrestler.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Grappling: near plus (65)
- Murtaza Talha
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 6-0
- Key Wins: Submitted an 8-2 grappler, a 4-1 striker, and a 7-1 striker. Knocked out a 5-1 grappler.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Grappling: near plus (65)
We all know how good Vitor Petrino is. Really good. Will probably fight for the title in the next couple years. Well, Bellato came close to knocking him out on their Contender Series fight. Bellato dropped him. Emptied the gas tank to try and finish him in the 1st round. Couldn’t. And Petrino started to take over in the 2nd round. Total coin flip between two elite prospects. But I think Bellato is going to start quick and I have more confidence his striking is a 65.
Chris’ Pick: Bellato by 1st round knockout.
What I think the odds should be: Bellato -125
Eduardo Torres vs Victor Hugo
- Eduardo Torres
- Age: 28
- Pro Record: 16-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 4-0 fighter and a 4-1 striker. Beat an 8-1 striker.
- Striking: average (50)
- Power: average (50)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Victor Hugo
- Age: 30
- Pro Record: 23-4
- Key Wins: Knocked out an 18-4 striker. Beat a well rounded 5-1 fighter and a 6-0-1 grappler.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
I look at Torres’ record. It’s great. This is the co main event. UFC must like the potential of both. But when I watched Torres, I don’t see the appeal. Saw him take on a well rounded 4-5 fighter who, at best, has 50 tools. And the fight was mostly on the feet, striking close to equal. I see Hugo being a little better everywhere.
Chris’ Pick: Hugo by decision.
What I think the odds should be: Hugo -250
Jose Medina vs Magomed Gadzhiyasulov
- Jose Medina
- Age: 32
- Pro Record: 11-2
- Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 6-0 fighter. Split decision over a 4-2 striker.
- Striking: a little above average (55)
- Power: a little above average (55)
- Wrestling: average (50)
- Magomed Gadzhiyasulov
- Age: 29
- Pro Record: 7-0
- Key Wins: Beat an 11-4 wrestler.
- Striking: near plus (65)
- Power: near plus (65)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
Gadzhiyasulov looks like an elite prospect. Almost reminds me of a bigger version of Zabit Magomedsharipov. There’s not much video out there on Medina, but he’s coming off a split decision win over a 4-2 striker in his last fight. And that fight happened just a few months ago. So the chances of him showing up with the skills needed to win are slim.
Chris’ Pick: Gadzhiyasulov by 1st round knockout.
What I think the odds should be: Gadzhiyasulov -500
Mauricio Ruffy vs Raimond Magomedaliev
- Mauricio Ruffy
- Age: 27
- Pro Record: 8-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out Ronys Torres and a well rounded 11-4 fighter.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: a little above average (55)
- Raimond Magomedaliev
- Age: 33
- Pro Record: 10-1
- Key Wins: Knocked out a 9-0 striker and a 6-1 striker. Submitted a well rounded 12-1 fighter. Beat a 12-1 grappler. Split decision over Impa Kasanganay.
- Striking: above average (60)
- Power: above average (60)
- Wrestling: above average (60)
I give Magomedaliev a slight edge as I think he’ll be able to get some take downs and likely has the better cardio. On the feet, it’ll be close. Both have experience going against quality competition.
Chris’ Pick: Magomedaliev by split decision.
What I think the odds should be: Magomedaliev -135