UFC Raleigh: Curtis Blaydes vs. Junior Dos Santos Pick
Ready for Free UFC Raleigh: Blaydes vs. Dos Santos Pick and betting odds & predictions? Here is a full breakdown of the leadup, what to expect during the fight, and some logical outcomes.
Event: UFC Raleigh
Date: January 25th, 2020
Time: Main Card: 8 P.M. EST.
Location: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
Broadcast: PPV on ESPN+
Main Event: Curtis Blaydes (-250) vs. Junior Dos Santos (+200)
Blaydes and Dos Santos will headline the first ESPN+ card of the year in a five round, non title fight main event. Blaydes, only 28 years old, has already complied an impressive UFC resume. He has wins over Aleksei Oleinik, Mark Hunt, Alistair Overeem, and Justin Willis. His most recent victory was over Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC 242 where he won by second round TKO. A knock on Blaydes has trouble beating top tier fighters as he has lost to Francis Ngannou twice. Dos Santos will be one of his toughest most experienced opponents yet.
Dos Santos is 21-6 on his career and has held and challenged for the UFC heavyweight belt multiple times. It is hard to believe he is only 35 years old when looking at his resume and the generational talent he has fought. In 2018, Dos Santos won both of his fights by stoppage which put himself in line for a main event headliner against Derrick Lewis. He won that fight which put him in title contention and a number one contender bout with Francis Ngannou. That fight was an extreme letdown as he lost within the first 90 seconds. He looks to win here and avoid losing consecutive fights for what would be the first time in his career.
As for what to expect in this fight, I can tell you what not to expect. I have a hard time seeing this fight going the 25 minute distance. If it does, that severely favors Dos Santos because he has five round experience and has won his last two five round decisions. Blaydes has never fought over three rounds. Expect Blaydes to try to keep the encounters light on the feet and shoot for double legs early and often. If this fight hits the mat, which I expect it to, that favors Blaydes. He does a lot of his work in top mount through ground and pound.
If Dos Santos can stuff the takedowns and avoid clinching, this fight could get dicey for Blaydes. That is the key to victory for both men and when each fighter has a near opposite gameplan, it usually makes for an entertaining bout.
As for logical outcomes, I could see Blaydes stopping Dos Santos in the third round through a barrage of ground and pound. Dos Santos could catch him early with a heavy hook, but I would deem that far from probable.
Rizz’s MMA Betting Trends/Statistics
- In his UFC career, Blaydes is 7-2-1 SU as a favorite
- In his UFC career, Dos Santos is 2-3 SU as an underdog
- Dos Santos has not lost consecutive MMA bouts throughout his professional career
- Blaydes last fight he won by stoppage, but has never won consecutive fights by stoppage throughout his UFC career.
- Blaydes has never lost an MMA fight in the United States
- Dos Santos has followed up his last three losses with decision wins
MMA Betting UFC 246 Pick: Curtis Blaydes
I think Blaydes can withstand the storm of Dos Santos and weather him out. Blaydes’ wrestling will be too much for Dos Santos and if he doesn’t stop him in the second, I cant see this fight going past the third round.
I will have a parlay on my twitter account @RizzMMA. Blaydes at -250 isn’t appealing, but putting him in a parlay will increase value. Look for the props of the fight starting the third round and if you want a crazy odds prop, Dos Santos by KO in round 2, per say. Be Advised and lets rock!