Combate Americas recently held its 51st event in Hidalgo, Texas on Saturday. Here are the betting results of the fights, as explained by MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas.
Tito Ortiz opened -705 and closed -830
Alberto El Patrón Rodriguez opened +435 and closed +580
The sportsbooks made money even though the line went up because most of the bets came in on El Patron. The sportsbooks needed Tito Ortiz to come through pretty decent and that’s exactly what happened. El Patron went for an early takedown but got reversed. Eventually, Ortiz took El Patron down and choked him out. It was a valiant effort from Rodriguez, who wasn’t intimidated by the former UFC champion.
Melissa Martinez opened -190 and closed -175
Desiree Yanez opened +150 and closed +145
I knew a close decision was possible because round one was close with Martinez leading in striking, although Yanez took the fight to the floor. Yanez dominated round two, but in round three, Yanez attempted a takedown but Martinez fought her off with a guillotine choke. It was an awesome fight and both of these women are worth keeping an eye on moving forward. I think Combate has something special with Martinez, their inaugural women’s champion for fighting through adversity and swaying the judges her way. The sportsbooks made a little bit of money on this fight because sharp betters were on Yanez while the public was on Martinez, forcing two-way action.
Joao Camilo opened +200 and closed +160
Daniel Barez opened -260 and closed -190
Barez lost the first round but Camilo started to fade as Barez ended up taking a split decision. Camilo took this fight on short notice, but that’s the risk bettor’s take. The sportsbooks came out decent here because most of the action was on the underdog.
Gaston Reyno opened -450 and closed -425
Rey Trujillo opened +300 and closed +325
Credit to Trujillo for stepping up on short notice. He’s a well-rounded veteran, but Reyno looked great here, controlling the action and taking all three rounds in a relatively one-sided unanimous decision. The sportsbooks had two-way action so there wasn’t much gained or lost on this fight.
Jose Flores opened -1800 and closed -1500
Clarence Brown opened +800 and closed +825
The line was appropriately set here as Flores smoked Brown with a first round rear naked choke, as he should have. Again, there was two-way action so no side made too much profit here.
Enrique Gonzalez opened -115 and closed -110
Levy Saul Marroquin opened -115 and closed -120
Everyone thought Gonzalez was going to get outwrestled but that wasn’t the case. Gonzalez was controlling the fight, but Marroquin caught him in a guillotine choke and forced the tap. Slightly more money came in on Marroquin so the books lost small.
Raymond Banda opened -115 and closed -115
Edmilson Freitas opened -115 and closed -115
This might have been the most appropriately set line in history as the fight was opened at pick’em, had two-way action and closed at pick’em and then the judges ruled the fight a majority draw.
Overall, the sportsbooks had a great night for Combate Americas 51. The next Combate event is December 13 in Stockton.
Quick Results
Main Card
210 lbs.: Tito Ortiz defeats Alberto Rodriguez via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:10 of R1
115 lbs.: Melissa Martinez defeats Desiree Yanez via Split Decision (29-28, 29-29, 27-29)
148 lb. catchweight: Levy Marroquin defeats Enrique Gonzalez via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 4:53 of R1
125 lbs.: Daniel Barez defeats Joao Camilo via Split Decision (30-27 29-28, 28-29)
120 lb. catchweight: Dulce Garcia defeats Anali Lopez via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:47 of R1
150 lb. catchweight: Gaston Reyno defeats Rey Trujillo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card
157 lb. catchweight: Víctor Martínez defeats Luis Luna via TKO (Punches) at 1:30 of R1
177 lb. catchweight: Raymond Banda vs Edmilson Freitas ends in a Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
160 lb. catchweight: Jose Flores defeats Clarence Brown via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:16 of R1
190 lb. catchweight: Elias Urbina defeats Mikey Tovar via KO (Head Kick) at 3:14 of R1
