UFC Fight Night 70 Date: June 27, 2015 Arena: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino City: Hollywood, FL Featherweight bout: Hacran Dias (-185) vs Levan Makashvili (+160) Fight Breakdown: Kicking things off for the UFC Fight Night 70 main card will be a featherweight contest between Brazil’s Hacran Dias and New York-based Georgian, Levan “The Hornet” Makashvhili. Dias is a -185 ($185 to win $100) betting favorite heading into the contest, with the return on the underdog Makashvili being +160 ($100 to win $160) at Several Bookmakerss. Hacran Dias (22-3-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) last saw action at UFC Fight Night 58 six months ago, where he snapped a two-fight losing skid by earning a unanimous decision win over Darren Elkins. Heading into the Octagon tomorrow night in Florida, he will aim to make it throw in a throw against the Georgian. Dias is an aggressive fighter who likes to pressure his opponents and be in control of the action. He has solid and improving striking skills, great footwork and striking defense, plus an excellent chin. He puts together some nice 1-2 combinations, works a good jab and throws solid uppercuts, not to mention precise hooks. The Brazilian has improved his boxing, as well as his kicking game. He throws a mean overhand right and devastating leg kicks, similar to his teammate and training partner, UFC Featherweight Champion, Jose Aldo. Training out of Nova Uniao under the tutelage of Andre Pederneiras, Dias is a well-conditioned fighter who continues to evolve his all-around game. The Brazilian has solid wrestling skills and good takedowns. His takedown defense is solid, as well. He has great strength and balance, so he does a good job of staying on his feet, though when taken down, he is good at working his way back to his feet. The Nova Uniao product is also good at counter wrestling and reversing position on his opponents. He has a very good Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game, as well, so he is a threat when the fight hits the mat, and the fact that he owns nine of his 22 professional mixed martial arts career victories by submission are a testament to that sentiment. Levan “The Hornet” Makashvili (11-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) made his promotional debut against Mark Eddiva at UFC Fight Night 66 in the Philipinnes a month ago, defeating the Filipino featherweight via split decision on the judges’ scorecards. In this immediate return to action, he will look to extend his Octagon winning streak to 2-0 by taking out the Brazilian. The Georgian is a great wrestler who works decent single and double-legs, but prefers the body-lock and inside-trip takedowns. He does a very good job of making adjustments while working for takedowns. His takedown defense is excellent, as well. “The Hornet” is strong inside the clinch up against the cage, from which position he likes to employ his knees. He remains heavy when in top position on the mat, as well, though he is not always very effective with his offensive ground and pound attack. Makashvili has solid offensive striking skills, as well as solid striking defense. His boxing is sharp and he puts together some effective combinations with his hands, including some nice 1-2’s. He has a good chin and possesses power in both hands. The Georgian works nice uppercuts, including ones to the body, and does a good job of mixing kicks in well into his offensive striking attack, including some nice high kicks. Defensively, Makashvili does not do a good job of checking leg kicks, which could be costly against a Nova Uniao fighter like Dias. “The Hornet” likes to move forward and dictate Octagon control, being the aggressor in his match-ups. He likes to overwhelm opponents with pressure and is willing to take a shot in order to dish one back. Despite this being a quick turnaround, Makashvili has great cardio and will have enough for three full rounds against the Nova Uniao product, of necessary. Gabe’s Call: Makashvili by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Gabe’s Thoughts: I think Makashvili has the superior wrestling, as well as the superior boxing heading into this 145-pound contest, and I see him utilizing his advantages en route to earning his second consecutive Octagon victory. Gabe’s Recommended Play: Makashvili (+160) 3.5u to win 5.6u.
