UFC Vegas 50: Santos vs. Ankalaev
Ready for Santos vs Ankalaev? Free UFC Vegas 50: Santos vs. Ankalaev and betting odds & predictions? Here is a full breakdown of the leadup, what to expect during the fight, and some logical outcomes.
Event: UFC Vegas 50: Santos vs. Ankalaev
Date: March 12th, 2022
Time: Main Card: 4:00 P.M. PST.
Location: APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
Free UFC Vegas 50 Pick: Thiago Santos +340 vs Magomed Ankalaev -450 (Bet Now!)
In a slobber knocker of a light heavyweight main event, Russian Sambo fighter Ankalaev(#6), welcomes Thiago Santos(#5), into his daunting world.
While Santos is the higher ranked fighter, and more seasoned in the octagon, Magomed is an absolute destroyer. For substance, he’s amassed a 16-1 pro record(7-1 UFC), and captured nine knockouts in his career.
Furthermore, he’s a master of sport in combat sambo, and has devastating head kicks, as well as top of the food chain grappling.
Regarding Thiago, he’s been in the UFC since 2013 and boasted an impressive 13-5 record, before meeting the champ, Jon “Bones” Jones.
Shocking the world, he fought Jones to a split decision, even many believed Santos did enough to dethrone the longtime champion. However, two of the judges saw the fight in Jones’ favor, and Thiago lost the fight.
After this, he dropped two more fights in a row, before rebounding against Johnny Walker, last October.
MMA Prediction: Ankalaev
Considering the odds, it’s very obvious who the books, public, and sharps believe will win the scrap. That being said, Santos is a way liver dog then what initially appears.
Why? Thiago was a few strikes away from beating arguably the best ever, and he’s knocked out many top ranked fighters for years and years.
All that being said, I’m siding with the Russian to survive Thiago’s hard strikes and either take him down and control the fight or knock him out via head kick.
Free UFC Vegas 50 Pick: Marlon Moraes +195 vs Song Yadong -240 (Bet Now!)
In the co main event of the evening, underdog “Magic” Marlon Moraes(#8, is looking to rebound after dropping 3 straight fights, by knockout. Unfortunately for “Magic” fans, he’s going up against a fighter in, Song Yadong(#14), who’s coming off an impressive knockout victory himself.
Moreover, Yadong’s only lost one out of his nine UFC fights, and only lost by a decision. Also in his time with the organization, he knocked out three fighters, and submitted one.
Important to note, Moraes racked up multiple wins and knockouts before his slide in the UFC, even beating former/current champions.(Jose Aldo, Aljamain Sterling)
However, Marlon appears to fade heavily after the first round, which could cost him heavily against a cardio talented fighter like Song.
MMA Prediction: Yadong
In the end, Moraes has proven to have the capabilities to knock out anyone in the world, but before he gasses. Which means if Yadong can drag him into the later rounds, the fight should heavily weigh in his favor.
For that, we’re picking Yadong to win the fight by unanimous decision, by weathering the early storm and chopping Marlon down the entire three rounds.
Free UFC Vegas 50 Pick: Alex Pereira -170 vs Bruno Silva +150 (Bet Now!)
For people unaware, Alex Pereira(NR), is the only man on planet earth to knockout middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. Furthermore, Pereira also beat Adesanya via decision, in a previous fight between the two.
Although, these fights happened in kickboxing, it still shows the potential this man possesses.
As far as his MMA career goes, he’s currently 4-1, with 4 vicious knockouts, and one submission loss. Impeccably, he only had one fight in the UFC, where he won via flying knee knockout, in the second round.
Regarding his opponent, Silva’s a fellow knockout artist, who’s currently 3-0 in the UFC, all by knockout. Moreover, he’s the much more experienced *MMA* fighter, with a 22-6 record.
MMA Prediction: Pereira
Luckily for fans, the UFC’s given us a banger of a stand up fight on Saturday night. One man is known in MMA for knocking people out cold, and the other’s known in kickboxing, for his impeccable striking.
All things considered, If Pereira was going up against a grappler, I’d fade him until he proves his competence on the mat. However, he’s fighting a guy who wants to bang, and this can only end with one result.
To conclude, Alex Pereira’s outclassed the middleweight champ in two different fights, even knocking him out cold. And considering this will end up a stand up clash, Pereira won’t have an issue dispatching a much lesser fighter, in Bruno Silva.
Rest of the Fights: Odds & Picks
Sodiq Yusuff -250 vs. Alex Caceres +200
Pick: Yusuff
Khalil Rountree -115 vs. Karl Roberson -105
Pick: Rountree
JJ Aldrich +135 vs. Gillian Robertson -155
Pick: Robertson
Damon Jackson +130 vs. Kamuela Kirk -160
Pick: Jackson
Sabina Mazo +260 vs. Miranda Maverick -320
Pick: Maverick