The Octagon Report with Nicnas - May 18, 2018

While we might have had some amazing fights last weekend and a packed weekend of star studded fights, it’s not over just yet. We have More UFC fight nights and Bellator action coming for this month. I want to break down the UFC Fight Night 129 which will happen May 19. The early prelims will air as usual on UFC fight pass at 6:30PM/3:30PM ETPT, the regular prelims will air on FS2 at 8PM/5PM ETPT and the main event on FS1 at 10PM/7PM ETPT all taking place in Santiago, Chile.

Looking at last week’s UFC we have the main event. With some solid leg kicks leading to take downs, Amanda Nunes looked more comfortable and confident in the octagon over the recently injured Raquel Pennington. She beat her in the 5th by TKO after a lot of pressure and strong knees to the head. Many are wondering why Pennington’s corner allowed her to finish the fight.

In the fight between Kelvin Gastelum and Jacare Souza we had an excellent showing of an early aggressive Gastelum. Though Souza was able to ware out Gastelum and put him on defense early as well. While Souza had some strong monster rights, Gastelum pulled out a tight split decision victory.

Amanda Cooper didn’t fair very well to the BJJ star Mackenzie Dern as she was able to get her in a rear naked choke mid first round. There is a lot of buzz in the air about this victory and the future of this fighter.

In a fight of power John Lineker dominated with heavy blows one after another to Brian Kelleher. Though he held up for a long time to the punishment, the final strike, as it were, was dropped in the third at 3:43.

The last fight I want to review, well actually I do not really want to think about this one again, is that of Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal versus Ryan Bader (Light heavyweight) in the Bellator Promotion. I am a fan of King Mo’s and this was royally disappointing. I didn’t necessarily expect him to win, but I didn’t expect it to end in 15 seconds. One left hook and few on the ground was all it took. ?

Highlighting Upcoming Fights

Tonight, we have a few decent fights in the UFC Fight Night number 129 titled "Maia vs. Usman.” This event takes place in Chile for the first time and it should be fun.

I am only going to look a few of these fights as they seem to be the more interesting match ups. First on that list is that of be that of Diego Rivas and Guido Cannetti. Also, Alexa Grasso versus Tatiana Suarez. And last, but definitely by no means least, is that of Maia versus Usman.

Diego “Pitbull” Rivas is a fun fighter to watch with a record of 7 and 1. But he is going up against the 7 and 3 records of Guido Cannetti. Both fights are evenly matched except that Cannetti is very accurate and definite in his game. He also has stronger submission game, both offensive and defensive. Rivas will have his hands full and stepping up to the plate to fight someone who has proven themselves. Rivas is the slight favorite, but I think he is much stronger than the lines have him at (-170).

The second to last fight of the night is that of the number 9 ranked Alexa Grasso and number 12 Tatiana Suarez. The lines have Suarez way over rated at -800 and they have been continuing to climb. This will be a definite underdog bet for me for this card taking Alexa as I feel this is not so set in stone. Tatiana has only 5 professional fights to her name, albeit undefeated, and it just isn’t enough to prove that she is to that caliber yet. I think this fight will probably go the distance and take that bet at -225 as well.

Looking at the Demian Maia and Kamaru Usman fight we see that Maia has struggled and lost 2-3 against wrestling champs since moving to Welterweight. Usman is a wrestling beast and Maia has lost to fighters of similar style like his recently, Tyron Woodley for example. He is also a veteran of the sport at 40 years old. So, he is experienced for sure, but also getting up there in age. He has lost his last two. Usman is newer and fresh and is moving on up in his career, he is a huge favorite at -700. Usman has won the last 7 fights. This is going to be a tough one, but I think Maia has a chance. Though I think It is Usman’s to lose. Will this fight go all 5 rounds? My money is on yes. Of Maia’s 8 losses, 7 came by decision. I am taking the underdog in this fight and taking the over and decision bets.

Upcoming

_{Photo credits: CC0 Pixabay}

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_{Author: @nicnas
Editor: @bacchist}

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