UFC 212 Betting Tips
The UFC is back this Saturday as the famed Octagon heads to Brazil. With Conor McGregor seeking a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, the featherweight division will be sorted out as UFC interim champ Max Holloway and UFC champ Jose Aldo clash at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro to see once and for all who is the man.
Also on the card is a solid co-headliner between #2 ranked Claudia Gadelha and #3 ranked Karolina Kowalkiewicz. The former strawweght title challengers will fight toward an opportunity at another chance at the UFC belt.
MMA legend Vitor Belfort may also be fighting for the last time, as he faces American veteran Nate Marquardt in his hometown.
Let’s take a closer look at the card on Saturday.
Early Preliminary Card
Marco Beltran (8-3) versus Deiveson Alcantra (11-0)
“El Psycho” will leave Mexico City and enters the hostile environment of Brazil against Alcantra. Beltran has won three of four in the UFC, but suffered a submission loss last November. Alcantra is undefeated, and has finished 10 of 11 in his career. Let’s see if Alcantra can perform on the biggest stage with all the pressure of a home country UFC debut.
Luan Chagas (14-2-1) versus Jim Wallhead (29-10)
Chagas was exciting in his first UFC bout earning a “Fight of the Night” bonus, but left with his first loss after winning 9 straight to get called into the leading promotion. Wallhead is from the UK and a veteran of their promotions, including Cage Warriors and BAMMA. “Judo” will also be looking for his first UFC win after dropping a split decision last September.
Jamie Moyle (4-1) versus Viviane Pereira (12-0)
Unbeaten Brazilian Pereira will try and improve her record to 13 wins as she faces Invicta and The Ultimate Fighter veteran Moyle. The bout will headline the early prelim portion of the card.
Preliminary Card
Iuri Alcantara (34-7) versus Brian Kelleher (16–7)
An odd matchup to start the prelims with long-time veteran Alcantara taking on UFC newcomer Kelleher. “Marajó” is 36 years old, but is riding a two-fight winning streak and will have all the benefits of fighting in his home country. Kelleher has won six in a row, but he couldn’t be stepping up more in competition or out of his element as he faces the UFC veteran.
Johnny Eduardo (28-10) versus Matthew Lopez (9-1)
Eduardo sent veteran Manny Gamburyan into retirement with a stoppage in his last bout. Californian Lopez will also carry a UFC victory into cage, as he beat Mitch Gagnon to get his only Octagon win. Lopez will try and use his wrestling, but will have to be careful against the Brazilian.
Antonio Carlos Junior (7-2) versus Eric Spicely (10-1)
“Cara de Sapato” was a heavyweight grappler that won “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil” as he was starting his career. Now at middleweight, his third weight class, the Brazilian will face another fighter with good submission skills. Spicely, lost his UFC debut to Sam Alvey, but has rebounded with consecutive submissions over Thiago Santos and Alessando Di Chirico. Expect an exciting battle in this prelim matchup once the fight hits the ground.
Raphael Assuncao (24-5) versus Marlon Moraes (18-4-1)
Moraes made a name for himself with the World Series of Fighting promotion, winning their bantamweight belt. The Brazilian has won 13 straight fights and is one of the hottest prospects recently signed to the UFC. Assuncao is one of the best in the world and has won eight of his last nine fights. For those wanting to know if Maraes is the best in the world, Raphael will be a stiff test to pass.
Main card
Yancy Medeiros (13-4) versus Erick Silva (19-7-0)
Hawaiian Medeiros will join fellow Hawaiian Max Holloway to represent their island Saturday night. “The Kid” beat Sean Spencer in the Performance of the Night back in September. Silva was seen as the future of Brazilian MMA years ago, but his UFC career has been mixed with seven wins and six losses. “The Tiger” did get a win over Luan Chagas in Brazil in his last bout, but I’d take the side of Medeiros to win here and quiet the local fans
Paulo Borrachinha (9-0) versus Oluwale Bamgbose (6-2)
Nigeria-born Bamgbose will have a tough assignment as he takes on undefeated Borrachinha. “Holy War Angel” has faced Brazilians in both of his last bouts, winning the first over Daniel Sarafian but lost to Cezar Ferreira in his last outing. It has been over a year layoff after cancelled bouts for the American-based fighter. Borrachinha made a boom on the scene with a first round TKO over Garreth McLellan to earn him a bonus in his UFC debut. The Brazilian has stopped all his opponents, and expect him to get another one Saturday.
Vitor Belfort (25-14) versus Nate Marquardt (35-17-2)
Belfort may close out his legendary career with a bout against veteran Nate Marquardt. Although the Brazilian has claimed he would make his last appearance with an epic last bout in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, we will have to wait and see if this is the last.
The fight is however a good matchup for Belfort, as Marquardt’s chin and skills have declined sharply in the last few years. Even in defeat in his last two bouts, the “Phenom” has shown he still has power and speed in his hands. I expect the 40 year old to KO “Nate the Great” and enjoy the insanity of the Brazilian crows cheering on on of their best ever.
Claudia Gadelha (14-2) versus Karolina Kowalkiewicz (10-1-0)
This is a dynamite matchup of two women in their prime, looking to get another title shot. The 28 year old Brazilian Gadelha has a split decision loss over the reigning champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and held her own in a second attempt where she also came up short last year. Kowalkiewicz nearly shocked the world as she was able to land good punches in her hard-fought loss against “Joanna Champion.”
Kowalkiewicz would be a nice play in a 5-round fight, but Gadelha’s power and speed over 15 minutes will give her an edge in Brazil.
Jose Aldo (26-2) versus Max Holloway (17-3)
One of the most anticipated bouts of the year has arrived. UFC interim champ Max Holloway will take on reigning UFC champ Jose Aldo to decide who is the best featherweight in the world —a boxing-focused Conor McGregor who was stripped of the title, might have something to say about this.
“Blessed” is only 25 years old. With a 10-fight winning streak in the Octagon, Hollway is peaking at the right time as he will face one of the most dominant fighters ever. The Hawaiian won the Interim Title back in December over former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
Aldo rebounded from his 13 second KO loss to Conor McGregor with one of his best performances as he outpointed Frankie Edgar over 25 minutes last July to get the UFC strap.
This is a pick em’ with even odds. While Holloway is the trending play, it’s hard to stay away from picking against Aldo that outside of his 13 seconds with the Notorious has been unstoppable in the last 11 years.
About Ryan O’Leary
Ryan O’Leary is the founder of MMAViking.com, the premier source for daily mixed martial arts news in the Nordics. Established in 2008, the UFC credentialed media source has covered over 200 events cageside.
