The ladies take center stage again at the UFC Apex this week at UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs Lemos (aka UFC Vegas 64), with a pivotal strawweight matchup bumped up to the main event slot after a fight cancellation. Elsewhere, we get three other women’s fights as well, making a quarter of the 12-fight card going to the ladies. Here are my UFC Vegas 64 predictions.
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UFC Vegas 64 Predictions
All odds courtesy of WynnBet
Marina Rodriguez (-220) vs Amanda Lemos
In the main event, I’m taking the girl with the mean mug, Marina Rodriguez. She’s only lost once in her career, a split decision to current champ Carla Esparza, and I don’t see Amanda Lemos making it two career losses on Saturday. Rodriguez should win a striking battle here, more than likely with the fight going the full 25 minutes.
Daniel Rodriguez (-105) vs Neil Magny
The co-main event is a tough one to call, hence the almost pick ’em numbers for it on the board. I’ll take slight underdog Daniel Rodriguez to best welterweight veteran Neil Magny. I think ‘D-Rod’ is going to be the better and more dangerous striker in this fight, but he’ll have to deal with the six-inch reach advantage Magny has.
Josh Parisian (+105) vs Chase Sherman
Next up is a heavyweight stinker. Well, the fight might not suck, but the participants aren’t the elite of the division, to say the least. I’m leaning dog in Josh Parisian, as I like his resume a bit better (to be honest, both their resumes suck) and he should be the better grappler if he chooses to use that. And he should be the bigger man.
Tagir Ulanbekov (-220) vs Nate Maness
Despite going 3-1 in the UFC, Nate Maness has been horribly outstruck over those four fights. I see that happening again this weekend when he makes his flyweight debut against Tagir Ulanbekov. Plus, Ulanbekov is a very strong grappler, which is where he’s probably going to try to take this fight.
Grant Dawson (-230) vs Mark Madsen
I’m surprised this line is so high, but I’m still taking Grant Dawson to beat Olympic silver medalist in wrestling, Mark Madsen. Dawson is also a very strong wrestler and a better grappler. He’s basically a better MMA fighter than Madsen, despite Madsen technically being the superior wrestler. Plus, he’s 10 years younger than his Danish counterpart.
Darrick Minner (+175) vs Shayilan Nuerdanbieke
I’m taking a dog in the prelims main event in Darrick Minner. The grappling specialist is definitely going to have an edge in that category against Shayilan Nuerdanbieke, who also has been submitted six times in his career. Plus, Nuerdanbieke hasn’t exactly been a world-beater on the feet in the UFC, having been outstruck by his first three opponents.
Miranda Maverick (-655) vs Shanna Young
This fight was originally supposed to happen a few months ago at UFC 278, but Shanna Young was hospitalized after a bad weight cut. Miranda Maverick is going to physically dominate her, and perhaps get herself a finish. But I’m not putting money on a -655 line.
Mario Bautista (-305) vs Benito Lopez
Benito Lopez hasn’t fought since July 2019. That is probably all the analysis that is needed here. Mario Bautista is also a better striker and a grappler. There’s some more analysis.
Polyana Viana (-140) vs Jinh Yu Frey
Polyana Viana is bigger, much younger, and a better striker than veteran Jinh Yu Frey. She’s also a finisher, ending all 12 of her pro wins inside the distance (four knockouts, eight submissions).
Johnny Munoz Jr (-245) vs Liudvik Sholinian
Give me ‘Kid Kvenbo’ Johnny Munoz Jr in this bantamweight fight against Liudvik Sholinian. He’s younger, has more finishing ability, and has shown he can compete – and win – at the UFC level.
Jake Hadley (-270) vs Carlos Candelario
Jake Hadley disappointed in his UFC debut, but I’ll chalk that up to ‘Octagon jitters’. He gets a good matchup against Carlos Candelario this week, a fighter who he not only is more talented than, but is also bigger and younger.
Tamires Vidal (-140) vs Ramona Pascual
Ramona Pascual has looked totally out of her element over her two UFC appearances, so there is no way I’m picking her in the curtain-jerker. The debuting Tamires Vidal has won five straight fights (against quality competition) and is 10 years younger than Pascual.
Overall Record: 883-606
2022
Record: 277-152
Earnings: -($440.96)
Return on Investment: -1.0%
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