UFC Fight Night 98 Date: November 5, 2016 Arena: Mexico City Arena City: Mexico City, Mexico Featherweight bout: Charles Oliveira (-115) vs Ricardo Lamas (-105) Fight Breakdown: The UFC Fight Night 98 main card will feature a featherweight contest between Ricardo “The Bully” Lamas and Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira, with Oliveira being -115 ($115 to win $100) and Lamas being -105 ($105 to win $100) at Several Bookmakers. Ricardo Lamas (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) last saw action at UFC 199 a few months back, where he came short in a unanimous decision against Max Holloway. He was scheduled to take on BJ Penn last month but the card was scrapped as Penn suffered an injury, now Lamas has been booked to take on Oliveira on this card, also getting another opportunity to compete in front of his fellow Mexican fans. “The Bully” is a well-rounded mixed martial artist who comes from a wrestling background. Being an NCAA Division II All-American wrestler and owning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it is safe to say that Lamas is a talented grappler. He is good at taking the fight to the mat, as well as controlling his opponents there while working a brutal ground and pound attack and ultimately searching for either a T/KO or submission finish. He is definitely a finisher, but he is also capable of grinding opponents out with his grappling. Lamas is a well conditioned and durable fighter who possesses an above average chin and will have enough in his tank for a full 15 minutes of action against Oliveira, should this fight reach the judges’ scorecards for a decision. Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira (16-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is coming off a third round guillotine choke submission loss to former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis in a contest he appeared to be winning. He will make an effort to get back into the win column by taking on former UFC 145-pound title challenger Lamas. Oliveira is a very talented grappler who has developed into a solid striker, as he has been working on his Muay Thai and focusing on sharpening his all-around game to become a well-rounded mixed martial artist. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and his ground game is on another level. His submission game is excellent, both offensively and defensively, though it is worth noting that he was submitted by other talented black belts in Jim Miller and the aforementioned Pettis, so it is possible he could caught by another black belt in Lamas. The Brazilian has good cardio and should be ready for a full three rounds of action in Mexico City, should the judges need to have a say in the final outcome. Gabe’s Thoughts: Tough fight to call. I think both guys have a good chance of ending it early. I like the Under 1.5 at +180. Gabe’s Call: Lamas by Submission (guillotine choke, 0:53 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Under 1.5 rounds (+180) 1u to win 1.8u
Bellator 163 and CES 39 Closing Odds and Results
