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Free Picks: UFC 179 Aldo vs. Mendes 2 Betting Odds & Preview

Free Picks: Aldo vs. Mendez 2 Betting Odds & Preview

UFC 179 comes our way this weekend from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A number of elite Brazilian fighters are on the card including seemingly untouchable Featherweight Champ Jose Aldo and Light Heavyweight Glover Teixeira. On paper, this looks to be a very solid card – let’s take a look.

UFC 179 Lines

UFC 179: Aldo vs. Mendes 2
Date: October 25, 2014
Time: 10 PM ET
Location: Maracanazinho Gymnasium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Broadcast: Pay-per-view, Fox Sports 1, UFC Fight Pass

Main Card (PPV, 10 PM ET)

Jose Aldo (24-1-0): -225
Chad Mendes (16-1-0): +190

Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo steps into the Octagon for a rematch against a fighter that has given him arguably his biggest test the last few years – Chad Mendes. Aldo brings tremendous Muay Thai chops, sensational kicks, power in both of his hands and a terrific chin into the Octagon along with a black belt in jiu-jitsu and stellar conditioning – there are few if any holes in his game.

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Mendes is a former All-American wrestler whose takedowns, takedown defense and top control are absolutely no joke. He also brings a constantly improving striking game that has seen him win four times by knockout during his current five fight win streak.

Aldo finished Mendes in their first fight after Mendes almost got a takedown – some disputed the win saying that Aldo grabbed the cage to stop that takedown – blah blah blah. Mendez may have a little fire in his belly because of that loss – the only one in his career so far. Mendez will also be trying to duplicate the feat of his training partner – TJ Dillashaw who destroyed Aldo’s seemingly untouchable teammate Renan Barao.

That said, I can’t go against the Champion here. He is too good in every area of the game to get caught in this one. Buoyed by his home tow crown, I like Aldo to withstand the challenge and remain champ.

MMA Betting Pick: Jose Aldo -225

UFC 179 Lines

Glover Teixeira (22-3-0): -300
Phil Davis (12-2-1): +250

In what could easily be Fight of the Night former All-American wrestler Phil Davis will step back into the Octagon after his Title aspirations were dashed last time out against Anthony Johnson. He takes on Glover Teixeira who himself has his Championship dreams dashed in his last fight – by none other than Jon Jones himself.

Teixeira will have a striking edge as well as an overall strength advantage in this one but Davis will have a decided wrestling advantage. Keep in mind that Tex will also have the benefit of a home town crowd behind him.

In a matchup of the #4 and #6 Light heavyweights, I am going with the better wrestler. Teixeira showed against Jon Jones that if someone other than himself dictates the pace and style of fight, he is vulnerable. Davis is just that type of fighter – pressure is his game and it is what wins him this fight. Teixeira’s takedown defense is good but not good enough.

MMA Betting Pick: Phil Davis +250

Fabio Maldonado (21-7-0): -150
Hans Stringer (22-5-3): +130

Light Heavyweights Fabian Maldonado and Hans Stinger engage in what should be an entertaining striking battle on Saturday. Brazilian Maldonado is coming off a loss when he fought in the Heavyweight Division last time out while Dutch fighter Stringer won his only fight in the UFC – a close decision versus Francimir Barroso.

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In a fight that likely won’t go the distance I like the underdog to come out on top in front of a hostile crowd. Both will swing for the fences – I think Stringer is better suited for that type of fight.

MMA Betting Pick: Hans Stringer +130

UFC 179 Lines

Darren Elkins (17-4-0): -175
Lucas Martins (15-1-0): +150

Contrasting styles clash in featherweight action when grappler Darren Elkins takes on striker Lucas Martins Saturday. This looks like a bit of a nightmare matchup for Martins – Elkins grinding style and overall toughness will be hard to overcome.

Elkins has been in there with the likes of Diego Brandao and Steven Siler and fared extremely well – Martins is a slight step down from those fighters. It may not be the most exciting fight but expect Darren Elkins to grind his opponent down like only he does en route to a decision victory.

MMA Betting Pick: Darren Elkins -175

UFC 179 Lines

Carlos Diego Ferreira (11-0-0): -175
Beneil Dariush (8-1-0): +150

Carlos Diego Ferreira will try to take another step up the Lightweight ladder on Saturday when he takes on Beneil Dariush. These two fighters have a former opponent in common – Ferreira beat Ramsey Nijem in impressive fashion at UFC 177 and Dariush lost to Nijem in April.

Ferreira looks to be a on a path to a possible title shot in 2015 – Dariush represents a tough speed bump along the way.

MMA Betting Pick: Carlos Diego Ferreira -175

Undercard (FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET)

William Macario (7-1-0): +195 vs. Neil Magny (12-3-0): -230
Pick: Neil Magny -230

Yan Cabral (11-1-0): -560 vs. Naoyuki Kotani (33-11-7): +430
Pick: Yan Cabral -560

Scott Jorgensen (15-9-0): +135 vs. Wilson Reis (18-5-0): -155
Pick: Scott Jorgensen +135

Felipe Arantes (16-6-1): +110 vs. Andre Fili (13-2-0): -130
Pick: Andre Fili -130

Undercard (UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. ET)

Gilbert Burns (8-0-0): -330 vs. Christos Giagos (10-2-0): +270
Pick: Gilbert Burns -330

Fabricio Camoes (14-8-0): -130 vs. Tony Martin (8-2-0): +110
Pick: Fabricio Camoes -130

Check out our Updated UFC Odds.

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.