UFC 179 is just around the corner, and with the event just a few days away, I’ve decided to do a sneak peek of the main card in order to get you prepped for your bets. Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes The main event of UFC 179 is a title fight between UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and No. 1 contender Chad Mendes. Aldo opened at -190; Mendes +150. After some early movement that steamed Aldo to an incredible number, now Aldo has settled at -220 with the comeback on Mendes +180. This is a tough fight to call. I believe Aldo is deserving of being the favorite, but I personally wouldn’t lay the juice on him and I was very surprised when he hit -475 at one point. This is definitely going to be a more competitive matchup than the first one, and I will have a more detailed fight breakdown coming out later this week, but for now I will give a slight edge to Aldo, although I do this at the odds it’s probably a dog-or-pass type of situation. Glover Teixeira vs. Phil Davis The co-main event is a bout between top light heavyweight contenders Glover Teixeira and Phil Davis. Teixeira opened at -285; Davis +205. Now Teixeira is -315 with the comeback on Davis +258. I like Teixeira here and I understand why the public has taken the line up higher as I believe he’s one of the most likely winners on the entire card. Some people are saying there is value on Davis, but I just don’t see it as I don’t believe he has a clear path to victory outside of possibly outworking Teixeira over the course of 15 minutes and getting a decision in Brazil. I like Teixeira a lot here, and even at the steep juice I believe this is a favorite-or-pass situation. Fabio Maldonado vs. Hans Stringer A light heavyweight bout between Fabio Maldonado and Hans Stringer could be entertaining, or it could be boring, but I don’t think it will be someone in the middle. Either this is Maldonado boxing up Stringer for three rounds or it’s Maldonado being pushed against the fence and picked apart by Stringer from the outside for 15 minutes. I love Maldonado, but I think this is going to be a boring fight, mostly because I don’t think Stringer is very fun to watch. Maldonado opened at -130; Stringer -110. Now Maldonado is -150 and Stringer is +130. I have a slight lean towards Maldonado, but at the price, it’s probably a dog-or-pass situation. Tough fight to call. Darren Elkins vs. Lucas Martins A featherweight bout between Darren Elkins and Lucas Martins is also on the main card. Elkins opened at -150; Martins +110. Now Elkins is -175 and Martins is +155. This is another tricky fight to call and while I do lean towards Elkins, I’m not sure if I could lay that sort of juice on him against a dangerous striker like Martins. Elkins is a great grinder and I do think he should be able to wrestle Martins en route to a win, but Martins has a lot of power and he has looked pretty solid overall in the UFC. I am picking Elkins, but at this point, I’m not sure if there’s any value on him for a bet. Beneil Dariush vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira And finally, a lightweight bout between Beneil Dariush and Carlos Diego Ferreira kicks off the main card. Ferreira opened at -260; Dariush +180. Now Ferreira is -165 and Dariush is +145. I do like Ferreira here but I agree the opening line was kind of high as Dariush is a dangerous fighter, however I do believe Ferreira should get the win here as he’s a more complete mixed martial artist. That being said, I have gone 0-3 picking Dariush’s fights in the UFC so, I admit, I don’t have the best read on him. I have a feeling a lot of other people are the same way, and that’s why there’s been action in his direction as bettors hope not to get burned by him again, but still, I do think it’s a favorite or pass situation at this point.
