UFC Fight Night 75 Date: September 26, 2015 Arena: Saitama Super Arena City: Saitama, Japan Diego Brandao (-240) vs Katsunori Kikuno (+200) Fight Breakdown: The UFC Fight Night 75 main card on FOX Sports 1 will be featiring a featherweight contest between Diego Brandao and Katsunori Kikuno, with Brandao being favored to win at -240 ($240 to win $100) and Kikuno being a +200 ($100 to win $200) underdog at Several Bookmakerss. Diego Brandao (19-10 MMA, 5-3 UFC) last saw action at UFC on FOX 15 five months ago, where he scored a TKO victory via doctor stoppage against Jimy Hettes, ultimately snapping a two-fight skid and returning to the win column. Heading into enemy territory to take on the Japanese veteran, he hopes to make it two in a row. The Brazilian is a very explosive striker who loves to go for the knockout, as is evident by the fact that he has won more than half of his fights via T/KO. The Ultimate Fighter season 14 winner is equally as explosive on the mat with his submission game. He is a very talented grappler who owns a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and five submission victories, including two which have come inside the Octagon. In fact, half of his wins inside the Octagon have come by way of submission and both of them in the first round. The 28-year old is most dangerous in the first round, having won 12 of his 19 professional mixed martial arts bouts within the first frame. He is undoubtedly a finisher, and is always eagerly looking for the stoppage, be it by knockout or submission. Katsunori Kikuno (9-8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) suffered a first round knockout at the hands of Edimilson ‘Kevin’ Souza in his most recent outing at UFC Fight Night 62 six months ago and now hopes to return to the win column with an impressive victory in front of the Japanese fans. Kikuno is an unorthodox striker from a Karate background who has a very awkward stance to go with it. He likes to bait opponents in and counters with his heavy hands. He isn’t afraid to take one to land one, as he is confident in his chin. His knockout loss against Tony Ferguson was the first of his professional mixed martial arts career, and the huge size disadvantage he had in that bout had a lot to do with it, as the defeat prompted his move down to the 145-pound division. To compliment his skills on the feet, Kikuno also has a solid grappling game, as was evident with his domination of Quinn Mulhern in his Octagon debut. Gabe’s Call: Kikuno by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Thoughts: I think this fight is a lot closer than the betting odds current suggest, and because the fight is in Japan, I lean towards Kikuno to get is hand raised. At his current offering price of +200, I think he is the right side for a value play in this contest. Gabe’s Recommended Play: Kikuno (+200) 2u to win 4u
