UFC Fight Night 125: Machida vs. Anders
Date: February 3
Arena: Arena Guilherme Paraense
City: Belem, Brazil
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is headed to Belem, Brazil for the first time in promotional history with UFC Fight Night 125: Machida vs. Anders. The 12 fight card is scheduled to kick off with preliminary action on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. ET and prelims will continue on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p., with the main card getting underway at 10 p.m. If interested in wagering on any bouts for these fight cards, all betting lines are made available at Several Bookmakers.
Here are my plays…
Bantamweight bout: Joe Soto (-120) vs. Iuri Alcantara (+100)
Gabe’s Thoughts: I think Soto should be a -160 betting favorite heading into this 135 pound contest, so I like him for a play at his current offering price of -120. He is coming off a first round calf slicer submission loss to Brett Johns just a few weeks ago and will be looking to bounce back into the win column in this bout on enemy soil. This is the last fight on his current contract with the UFC, so Soto has a lot riding on the line. Alcantara is coming off a lackluster decision loss to Alejandro Perez and will be looking to get back to his winning ways, as well. My prediction for this fight is that I think Alcantara will edge Soto on the feet in the opening round but don’t have the gas to keep the same pace up in the second, so I see Soto taking over in rounds two and three and outgrappling Alcantara for a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards.
Gabe’s Call: Soto by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: Soto (-120) 3u to win 2.5u
Bantamweight bout: Marlon Vera (-125) vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade (+105)
Gabe’s Thoughts: I believe that at this point in their careers, Vera is the superior mixed martial artist heading into this 135 pound contest. I see him being effective on the feet, securing takedowns, and controlling the fight on the mat with his grappling. I think there is a decent chance that he submits the Brazilian on enemy soil in this bout, and I could also see him scoring a TKO via ground and pound, but I think a victory on the judges’ scorecards is the most likely outcome. I think Vera should be a -170 betting favorite heading into this matchup, so I favor him for a wager at his current asking price of -125.
Gabe’s Call: Vera by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: Vera (-125) 3.75u to win 3u
