UFC Fight Night 98 Date: November 8, 2016 Arena: Mexico City Arena City: Mexico City, Mexico Bantamweight bout: Erik Perez (-185) vs Felipe Arantes (+160) Fight Breakdown: The UFC Fight Night 98 main card will feature a bantamweight contest between Erik “Goyito” Perez and Felipe Arantes, with Perez being a -185 ($185) betting favorite and Arantes a +160 ($100 to win $160) underdog at Several Bookmakers. Erik “Goyito” Perez (16-6 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Francisco Rivera at UFC 201 just three months ago and currently enjoys a two fight winning streak inside the Octagon. He will be looking to extend that to three against the Brazilian Arantes in front of his fellow Mexican crowd. “Goyito” is a well-rounded Mixed Martial Artist who continues to improve in every facet of the sport. He is a talented striker who moves well on his feet. He loves throwing haymakers with both hands, and packs power in both. Perez prefers the overhand right, but also has a solid hook and a great uppercut. His kicking game is good, too. He works some great leg kicks and has a nice push kick. The Mexican puts together some effective, albeit wild at times combinations on the feet, and he delivers some damaging blows to the body. Perez likes implementing all limbs into his offensive striking including. He loves to use his elbows and especially his knees, often attacking with a flying knee. The 26 year old works solid takedowns and has an excellent double-leg. He is powerful and dominant from top position, as well as from inside the clinch against the cage. Training out of Alliance MMA in San Diego, CA, Perez generally has good cardio. I expect him to be able to go hard for all 15 minutes of action against Arantes, if necessary. Felipe Arantes (18-7-1-2 NC MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) currently enjoys an impressive two fight winning streak with a pair of armbar submission victories over Yves Jabouin and Jerrod Sanders, respectively. He dropped down from featherweight to the UFC’s bantamweight division with the Jabouin bout, then made it two in a row against Sanders. Interesting fact to note is that both of Arantes’ fights at bantamweight have been his only two (of nine) fights in the UFC that took place outsie Brazil. The 28 year old is a talented Tae Kwon Do and Muay Thai fighter who likes to use all of his limbs and has a variety of tools in his striking arsenal. He is dangerous from top position on the mat, as he likes to work a brutal ground and pound attack. Arantes has very good takedown defense and a solid base, as he has been training in Judo since childhood. He also holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so he is well-versed on the mat, owning six career wins by way of tapout, and two in a row now since his drop to 135-pounds. The Brazilian generally has good cardio, so he should be able to go three rounds in Mexico City against the Mexican, though that would remain somewhat of a question mark. Gabe’s Thoughts: Both bantamweights are solid and improving but I think Perez is improving at a more rapid rate and is the superior mixed martial artist of the two. Though I favor “Goyito” to get his hand raised in this contest, I don’t see betting value in his current offering price of -185, as I think that is fairly accurate. However, I do think there is value in the Total of Over 2.5 rounds at -175, as I think this fight hits the judges’ scorecards much more often than not. Gabe’s Call: Perez by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Over 2.5 rounds (-175) 1.75u to win 1u
