UFC Fight Night 67 Date: May 23, 2015 Arena: Goiana Arena City: Goiana, Goias, Brazil Welterweight bout: Elizeu Zaleski (+305) vs Nicolas Dalby (-365) Fight Breakdown: The UFC Fight Night 67 in Brazil preliminary card on FOX Sports 1 will feature a weltereight contest between a pair of promotional newcomers in Brazil’s own Elizeu Zaleski and the Dane, Nicolas “Sharpshooter” Dalby. Zeleski is the underdog heading into this contest at +305 ($100 to win $305), with Dalby being the favorite at -365 ($365 to win $100)at Several Bookmakerss. Elizeu Zaleski (14-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is set to make his promotional debut on the heels of a four fight winning streak that includes four finishes. The Brazilian is undoubtedly a finishes, as is evident by the fact that he owns 13 of his 14 professional mixed martial arts victories by way of T/KO or submission. He is a talented and aggressive fighter with a developing game who moves well on his feet, largely in part due to his background in the Brazilian martial art of Capoeira. Zaleski has decent kicks and heavy hands, especially his overhand-right, which I think is his biggest weapon inside the cage. He has fast hands, does a good job of working the body of his opponents’ and he likes to attack with vicious flurries from time to time. The Brazilian’s submission game is solid both offensively and defensively. He has a decent ground game, in general, and works a brutal ground and pound attack when finding himself in top position on the mat. When finding himself on bottom, Zaleski is pretty decent at working reversals, though he has yet to face a truly superior grappler. He displays a solid chin, a lot of heart and good cardio. I think he will have enough in the tank for a full 15-minutes of action against the fellow promotional newcomer Dalby, should this bout see it’s way to the judges’ scorecards for a decision. Nicolas “Sharpshooter” Dalby (13-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is ready to make his Octagon debut, carrying with him an undefeated record of 13-0 and the Cage Warriors welterweight title. He is an above average and consistently improving striker who has good movement on the feet and works very good jabs, sometimes doubling up on it. The 30-year old’s kicking game is solid; he throws good inside leg kicks and nice high kicks, attacking the head and body of his opponents. He also likes to implement his knees in his offensive striking attack, especially up against the cage, where he does a good job of remaining heavy on his opponents. His striking is generally a little sloppy, but it is effective, especially in regards to his combinations. The combinations Dalby puts together on the feet are pretty decent and effective. He likes to mix things up, combining punches with kicks. The Dane also does a very good job of using his strikes to set up his takedowns. He changes levels really well and works solid takedowns, especially and most notably his double-leg. He does an excellent job of timing if takedowns, which is why is he often successful in scoring them. Dalby has solid takedown defense and is very durable; his chin is great, as well as his conditioning. Despite this being his UFC debut and jitters playing a potential concern, Dalby will no doubt have enough in the tank for three rounds of action against the Brazilian in Brazil, if necessary. Gabe’s Call: Dalby by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Gabe’s Thoughts: To put it simply, I think Dalby is the superior fighter of the two here and see him winning every round of this contest en route to a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards. That’s if the entirety of the bout takes place on the feet. However, if Dalby opts to take things to the mat, which I think he could, then I think he will have a decent chance of submitting the Brazilian. Gabe’s Recommended Parlays: 1) Dalby (-365) parlayed with Bektic (-400) and Trinaldo/Parke Over 2.5 rounds (-225) at +130 3.85u to win 5u and 2) Dalby (-365) parlayed with Bektic (-400) and Formiga/Reis Over 2.5 rounds (-265) at +119 3.4u to win 4.05u
