The UFC heads to it’s home inside the Apex this weekend for UFC Vegas 116. Headlining the card is former champion Aljamain Sterling who looks to defend his spot in the rankings against Youssef Zalal. This UFC Vegas 116 card is loaded up with incredible fights with some great spots to look for some high-value MMA bets, picks, and predictions.
In today’s column, we’re looking for the best play on the entire slate of prelim fights for you to exploit. Come check out our best bet for these UFC Winnipeg prelims.
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Prelim Pick of the Week: UFC Vegas 116
UFC Middleweight Fight: Rodolfo Vieira vs Eric McConico
Start Time: Saturday (4/25) 5:00pm EST (Paramount+)
Buried on the prelims of UFC Vegas 116 is a fight featuring multi-time BJJ world champion, Rodolfo Vieira. Although he’s been unsteady recently, alternating wins and losses over his last four fights, he’s got a great matchup on Saturday. Even more importantly, that great matchup comes at a great price.
When you look at the types of fighters who have beat Vieira lately, you get a clear image of what you need to do to beat him. Largely, Vieira has only been beat by wrestlers who can either control the position against him or force him to stand and trade. Both Bo Nickal and Andre Petroski did that and Vieira faltered. On the contrary Tresean Gore and Arman Petrosyan could not, and he took over the fight.
He’ll get Eric McConico, who has really struggled in the wrestling game, on Saturday. In each of his last two fights, he’s been taken down multiple times. While he was able to get up against guys like Cody Brundage and make it a fight, it’s much harder to do that with Rodolfo Vieira on top of you. I expect the Brazilian to drag this one down and get it over with quick.
UFC Vegas 116 Prelim Pick: Rodolfo Vieira ML (-212)
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