UFC 179 Date: October 25, 2014 Arena: Maracanazinho Gymnasium City: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Lightweight bout: Beneil Dariush (+145) vs Carlos Diego Ferreira (-165) Fight Breakdown: Getting the action started for the UFC 179 main card in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will be a lightweight contest between a pair of talented Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts in Beneil Dariush and Carlos Diego Ferreira. The Iranian, Dariush is the betting underdog heading into this scrap at +145 ($100 to win $145) and the Brazilian, Ferreira is the favorite at -165 ($165 to win $100) at Several Bookmakerss. Beneil Dariush (8-1 NC, 2-1 UFC) rebounded from the first loss of his professional mixed martial arts career with a second round arm-triangle choke submission victory over Tony Martin just a few weeks ago and looks to string together two in a row with a quick turnaround in Brazil. The 25-year old is a southpaw who packs a powerful punch and is a very effective counter-striker, as was evident with his win over Charlie Brenneman in his promotional debut. He is a very talented grappler who works excellent takedowns, and has a solid submission game, owning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Dariush is really good at taking his opponents’ backs during an exchange. He also has an excellent guard, and is a real threat off of his back. His defensive grappling skills are noteworthy, as well, as he has good takedown defense and is capable of keeping the fight on the feet. The Californian has a nice straight left, which he used to drop Brenneman in their bout. He loves to throw kicks, and has a variety of them in his arsenal. He also loves to implement his knees, and even has a nice flying knee he likes to go for. Training out of Kings MMA in Southern California under the tutelage of striking coach Rafael Cordeiro, Dariush is a very well-rounded and well-conditioned mixed martial artist, and despite the quick turnaround on enemy soil, I think he will be prepared for 15 minutes of action, if necessary. Carlos Diego Ferreira (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is still undefeated in his professional mixed martial arts career at 11-0, with two stoppage victories coming inside the Octagon. He submitted The Ultimate Fighter season 17 winner Colton Smith in his debut with the promotion only 38 seconds into the very first round, and went on to T/KO The Ultimate Fighter season 13 finalist Ramsey Nijem in the second frame in his next outing. Now, fighting for the first time in Brazil, the Texas-based Brazilian will be looking to make it three in a row inside the Octagon. With a win, he hopes to earn a fight against a ranked opponent in his next outing. Ferreira owns a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is incredibly talented on the mat. He has a good chin, throws solid leg kicks and works beautiful takedowns, often quickly taking his opponents’ backs in the process. The former Legacy FC lightweight champion is very slick and quick on the mat, and will capitalize on any split-second of an opening for a submission opportunity. To compliment his excellent submission game, Ferreira works a good ground and pound attack that gets opponents to give up their necks for a choke. He is a well-conditioned fighter who will be ready for a full three rounds of action against the Iranian, should this scrap reach the judges’ scorecards for a decision. Gabe’s Thoughts: This could end up being a very close fight, but I believe Ferreira generally has advantages everywhere and will ultimately end up getting his hand raised. I feel like he will win this fight, as long as he does not get dominated. Even if it is a close fight that Dariush seems to slightly edge, I have a feeling the hometown nod will go to the Brazilian. I expect Ferreira to get the better of Dariush for at least two out of three rounds of action en route to a unanimous decision victory, but the Iranian is a very game and talented opponent, which is why I won’t be surprised if this fight turns out a lot closer than I expect it. In conclusion, I think Ferreira should be a -210 favorite in this 155-pound affair, especially since I think he wins this fight, as long as he avoids getting caught with something by the fellow Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Dariush, so at the current betting line of -165, I think there is enough value to make a move. Gabe’s Call: Ferreira by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Carlos Diego Ferreira (-165) 2.55u to win 1.55u
