UFC Fight Night 41 Date: May 31, 2014 Arena: O2 World Berlin City: Berlin, Germany Featherweight bout: Andy Ogle (+170) vs Maximo Blanco (-215) Fight Breakdown: It’s going to be a loser goes home match-up for a pair of 145-pounders at UFC Fight Night 41, when the Brit, Andy “Little Axe” Ogle takes on the Venezuelan, Maximo Blanco on the evening’s preliminary card. Ogle is the underdog heading into this featherweight scrap at +170 ($100 to win $170), with Blanco being the favorite at -215 ($215 to win $100) at Several Bookmakerss. Andy Ogle (9-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC) was surprisingly not released from the promotion after dropping a third round submission to Charles Oliveira in his last outing three months ago. It was his second loss in a row and third in four rights, so I expect a pink slip to be headed his way, but I think the fact that he lasted over two rounds with the Brazilian impressed the UFC brass enough to give him another shot. Plus, Dana White has previously said he loves Ogle’s attitude. “Little Axe” is now set to make his fifth appearance inside the Octagon, and should he lose this one, I am certain it will be his last, as he definitely has his back against the wall heading into this one. The 25-year old is a decent kickboxer who has above average wrestling skills. He is a good grinder when he is focused, though does not always show a high fight IQ. Ogle is a well-conditioned and determined mixed martial artist, and he will be prepared for a hard three rounds against the Venezuelan. Maximo Blanco (9-6-1-1 NC MMA, 1-3 UFC) is on a two fight skid and 1-2 in the Octagon, just like Ogle. He is coming off a unanimous decision loss against the Brazilian Felipe Arantes in Brazil three months ago. It appeared as if the Venezuelan did not show up for that match, as he just could not get it together inside the cage. Blanco is a talented freestyle wrestler who used his wrestling to make the transition into mixed martial arts, where he has found a new love in the form of striking. He made the move from wrestler to cagefighter when he failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Blanco now prefers to knock his opponents out. He is a quick featherweight who moves around well and throws good combinations. Nicknamed “The Max Murderer,” Blanco’s style of striking has drawn comparisons to “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva. The Venezuelan is a very well-conditioned athlete who will be ready to go for a full 15 minutes against the Brit. Gabe’s Prediction: Not much science behind this one; Blanco is the superior striker and grappler. I expect him to keep this fight standing where he will outpoint Ogle en route to picking up a decision victory and saving his job. However, if he does not mentally show up and Ogle shows up focused, he could be in a world of trouble. Heart could certainly play a factor in this fight. I have a feeling Blanco is going to win the first two rounds and then take it easy in the third, where Ogle will take over and try to finish him but won’t find success. Gabe’s Call: Blanco by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Maximo Blanco (-215) 3.01u to win 1.4u
