MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas recently released the full preliminary card betting odds for UFC Fight Night 55 at Several Bookmakers. Here’s a preview of the evening’s six-fight preliminary card. Jake Matthews vs. Vagner Rocha A lightweight bout between Jake Matthews and Vagner Rocha is one of the biggest mismatches on the entire card. Matthews is one of the youngest fighters in the UFC and has an extremely high ceiling, while Rocha is being brought in here to make him look good. Rocha has some good BJJ and is a tough guy, but this is a horrendous matchup for him and I don’t see it ending well for him. Matthews opened at -385, Rocha +265. Matthews is -350 now, Rocha +250. I have no idea why people are betting on Rocha but I think it’s incorrect. I strongly lean towards Matthews, and I see value in him as a parlay piece. Anthony Perosh vs. Guto Inocente A light heavyweight bout between Australia’s own, Anthony Perosh, and Guto Inocente should be an entertaining affair. Perosh hasn’t fought in nearly a year since taking a beating at the hands of Ryan Bader, while Inocente made his UFC debut over the summer and was knocked out by Derrick Lewis. However, he is dropping down to 205lbs and should be more competitive at this weight class. Inocente opened at -185, Perosh +145, and so far the line hasn’t moved. This is a funny matchup and I could see Perosh getting the upset, but I do lean towards Inocente here and believe he deserves to be the favorite as listed. Dylan Andrews vs. Sam Alvey A welterweight bout between Dylan Andrews and Sam Alvey is likely to be a stand-up war. Andrews has been out for nearly a year due to an injury suffered in his last fight against Clint Hester, while Alvey recently made his UFC debut and lost a decision to Tom Watson. This is both fighters’ 170 lb debut, and I believe it’s a better weight class for both men. Andrews opened at -130, Alvey -110. Andrews is currently -170 with Alvey at +140. Andrews is not a reliable fighter but Alvey looked horrible against Watson and is an auto-fade, so I think overall the action on Andrews is the correct line of thinking. Chris Clements vs. Vik Grujic A welterweight bout between two of the oldest 170 pounders in the UFC, Chris Clements and Vik Grujic, is also set to take place on this card. Clements hasn’t fought in over a year since being knocked out by Stephen Thompson, while Grujic is coming off of a knockout win over Chris Indich at UFC Fight Night 43. Clements has had the better career and I believe he is a better fighter, but he doesn’t seem to be taking the sport seriously anymore, while Grujic moved to Alliance MMA to up his skills and make a run in the Octagon. Clements opened at -125, Grujic -115. Grujic is -160 now, Clements +120. I lean towards Grujic here as well and believe the betting public is correct in flipping this line. Daniel Kelly vs. Luke Zachrich A middleweight bout between TUF Nations alum Daniel Kelly and TUF 7 alum Luke Zachrich also takes place on the preliminary card. Kelly didn’t do anything of note on TUF, losing to eventual finalist Sheldon Westcott, while Zachrich is 1-1 in the UFC and is coming into this fight off of an impressive decision win over Guilherme Vasconcelos. Zachrich opened at -215, Kelly +165. Zachrich is now -245, Kelly +175. This is a weird fight and I could see Kelly winning it if he has improved since TUF. I slightly lean towards Zachrich because he’s did more in the Octagon, but no way would I lay the juice on him. Marcus Brimage vs. Jumabieke Tuerxun And finally, a bantamweight bout between Marcus Brimage and Jumabieke Tuerxun opens up the prelim card. Brimage is coming into this fight off of two-straight losses to Conor McGregor and Russell Doane, while Tuerxun also has lost his last two fights, to Mark Eddiva and Leandro Issa. While they are both coming in off of two losses, Brimage’s level of competition has been much higher than Tuerxun’s, and to be honest I’m a little surprised the UFC is even giving him a third shot in the Octagon. Brimage opened at -380, Tuerxun +260. Brimage is now -460, Tuerxun +320. I strongly lean Brimage in this spot, and believe the betting public is correct in steaming him up against Tuerxun.
