If you’re looking to bet on the fights this weekend, head over to BetUS using our special link and make the most of the special $2,500 sign-up bonus offer.

Betting Odds

The more proven former champion, Robert Whittaker, is a sizeable -380 favorite over the hungry prospect, Dricus Du Plessis, coming back as a +300 dog.

• Robert Whittaker: -380 (BetUS)
• Dricus Du Plessis: +300 (BetUS)

Special Offer: Sign up to BetUS today and get an exclusive sign-up offer worth up to $2,500

Fight Breakdown

There are a handful of fighters who are stated as “would-be champions” if it were not for the current champion in their respective division. The two notable fighters to fit this bill are Max “Blessed” Holloway and Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker. Both these fighters have been champions in the past, and while each has fallen short of beating the current champion – Israel Adesanya in the Middleweight division – they are perceived as the unequivocal top contender.

What makes Robert Whittaker so good is quite similar to the opponent who has Max Holloway’s number, that is, Alexander Volkanovski. Both men have sound grappling, and most importantly, a keen understanding of distance and timing on the feet that is seamlessly blended with elite speed and high fight intellect. For Whittaker in particular, he loves to throw a right-hand, left-hook combination that is followed by an arena-thumping kick, thrown to the leg, body, and/or head of his opponent. While simple in theory, the best of the best are able to make a basic combination into one that is truly devasting, and Whittaker has done that time in and time out, as he has dominated the middleweight division not named Adesanya.

Dominance over the middleweight division can be argued for Du Plessis as well, as he has finished four of his five UFC bouts, and all finishes besides one are against ranked-caliber opponents. Moreover, the way in which Du Plessis is able to dominate is a combination of striking and grappling success, thus making him a well-rounded opponent, similar to that of Whittaker.

The difference between Du Plessis and Whittaker does become stark when you analyze the way in which they dominate fights. Whereas Whittaker uses elite speed and technically sound movements, Du Plessis relies more on his physical ability, and this is not too surprising when you see just how strong he is from a body-frame standpoint. The benefit for Du Plessis with choosing to rest on his physical ability is that he is in his prime, and the power he has in his hands coupled with the ability to be heavy and strong in grappling makes him a proven problem. The issue though is that if he faces an opponent who can use technique in both striking and grappling to mitigate the physical advantage he has, then he can become stiff and slow down as the fight ensues.

We saw moments of this in the Brad Tavares fight, where Tavares was able to use sound technical ability to stuff all seven takedown attempts, and then, use basic boxing to find some success on the feet. And while Du Plessis was able to power through and find the win, the lone non-specialist, well-rounded ranked fighter that he fought showcased problematic areas for him brings doubt here as Whittaker is levels ahead of where Tavares is currently at, as such, will likely be able to mitigate the threat the same way, but extend his success once the threat is mitigated.

Prediction

Dricus Du Plessis is justifiably confident given his UFC success and is someone with legitimate power and a strong grappling game. These threats of striking power early coupled with an ability to potentially control the fight with grappling raise concern, but when you analyze the technical ability of Whittaker everywhere the fight takes place, then the concern becomes extremely mild.

Simply put, Whittaker has proven time in and time out to be leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the middleweight division with being 13-2 since 2014, and I expect this fight to be no different. Lack of difference comes into play with the recent track record of him going to decisive decision victories, so I am electing to go with him by decision once more at +195 odds.

Pick: Whittaker by decision (+195)

Special Offer: Sign up to BetUS today and get an exclusive sign-up offer worth up to $2,500

The post Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis prediction | UFC 290 appeared first on The Body Lock.

The main event will feature a historic heavyweight title fight between former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and top heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane. Jones will be making his long-awaited debut in the heavyweight division after vacating his 205-pound belt. Gane will be looking to spoil Jones’ return and claim the heavyweight title for himself.

Before the main event, however, there are several exciting fights on the preliminary card that MMA fans should not miss. The prelims will showcase some rising stars and veteran fighters across different weight classes. Here’s the full preliminary card, which will take place following the early prelims.

• Cody Garbrandt vs. Trevin Jones
• Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis
• Viviane Araujo vs. Amanda Ribas
• Julian Marquez vs. Marc-Andre Barriault

The UFC 285 prelims will start at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and air on ESPN and ESPN+.

The main card will follow at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT and air exclusively on ESPN+ PPV.

UFC 285 Prelims

Cody Garbrandt vs. Trevin Jones

Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt (-165) will face Trevin Jones (+145) in a pivotal matchup at UFC 285. The pay-per-view event features the return of Jon Jones in a vacant heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane.

Garbrandt (12-5) is looking to snap a two-fight losing streak that has seen him drop completely out of the UFC rankings. The 31-year-old has suffered knockout losses to T.J. Dillashaw (twice), Pedro Munhoz, and also Kai Kara-France in his last outing. Garbrandt is known for his explosive power and speed, but also for his reckless aggression and questionable chin.

Jones (13-9) is a late replacement for Julio Arce, who withdrew due to injury. The 32-year-old has gone 1-3-1 in his UFC stint so far, with a knockout win over Mario Bautista, a submission loss to Said Nurmagomedov, decision losses to Raoni Barcelos and Javid Basharat, and a no-contest against Timur Valiev (originally a win for Jones but overturned due to marijuana use). Jones is a durable and well-rounded fighter who can switch stances and mix up strikes and takedowns.

Both fighters are desperate for a win to stay relevant in the crowded bantamweight division. Garbrandt has the edge in experience but also carries more pressure and damage. Jones has nothing to lose and could pull off an upset if he can weather Garbrandt’s early storm and drag him into deep waters.

This fight is unlikely to go the distance, as both men have finishing ability and vulnerability. Garbrandt will have to be careful not to get caught by Jones’ counterpunches or submissions, while Jones will have to avoid getting overwhelmed by Garbrandt’s speed and power.

Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis

Two of the top ten middleweights in the UFC will face off at UFC 285. Derek Brunson, ranked #5, will take on Dricus Du Plessis, ranked #10, in a fight that could have future title implications for both men.

Brunson (23-8) is coming off a second-round knockout loss to Jared Cannonier at UFC 271 in February. It was his first defeat since 2018, snapping a five-fight winning streak that included victories over Darren Till, Kevin Holland, Edmen Shahbazyan, and Ian Heinisch. The 39-year-old veteran has been a perennial contender in the division since joining the UFC in 2012 but has fallen short against elite opponents like Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Anderson Silva.

Du Plessis (18-2) is riding a four-fight winning streak in the UFC since making his debut in October 2020. The former EFC and KSW champion has finished all but one of his opponents by knockout or submission, including Darren Till, Brad Tavares, and Trevin Giles. The 29-year-old South African has shown impressive striking power and grappling skills in his fights, earning him four performance bonuses and a “Fight of the Night” award with Till last December.

Both fighters have strengths and weaknesses that could make this an exciting matchup. Brunson is known for his wrestling and ground-and-pound game, but he has also improved his striking under coach Henri Hooft. He has good speed and power in his punches and kicks, but he can also be reckless and vulnerable to counters. Du Plessis is a well-rounded fighter who can finish fights on the feet or on the mat. He has excellent timing and accuracy in his strikes, but he can also be overconfident and careless with his defense.

The fight between Brunson and Du Plessis could be a close one that goes either way depending on who imposes their game plan better. Both men have proven themselves as dangerous finishers who can end fights quickly or come back from adversity. The winner of this fight could move closer to a title shot against the current champion Alex Pereira or whoever holds the belt after UFC 287.

Viviane Araujo vs. Amanda Ribas

Two talented female fighters will face off this weekend. Both fighters are looking to bounce back from losses and move closer to a title shot in the 125-pound division.

Araujo (11-4) is ranked #8 in the official UFC flyweight rankings and has won five of her eight fights in the promotion. The Brazilian has shown impressive striking skills and power, finishing Talita Bernardo in her UFC debut and backing it up with decision wins over Andrea Lee, Roxanne Modafferi, and Montana De La Rosa in recent years.

Ribas (10-3) is ranked #8 as a strawweight fighter and has won five of her seven fights in the UFC. The Brazilian has displayed well-rounded skills and charisma, submitting Emily Whitmire and Paige VanZant, and outpointing Mackenzie Dern and Randa Markos.

However, Ribas’ run came to an end when she was knocked out by Marina Rodriguez at UFC 257 in January last year. She was caught by a right hand from Rodriguez as she attempted a takedown early in the second round. Since then, she’s defeated Virna Jandiroba and Katlyn Chookagian.

The winner of this fight could move higher in the flyweight rankings and get closer to a potential title shot against champion Valentina Shevchenko or challenger Alexa Grasso.

Julian Marquez vs. Marc-Andre Barriault

UFC 285 will feature a middleweight bout between Julian Marquez and Marc-Andre Barriault. Both fighters are coming off defeats in their last fight and will look to bounce back here on the preliminary card.

Julian “The Cuban Missile Crisis” Marquez (9-3) is known for his exciting style and charismatic personality. He has won three of his five UFC fights, all by submission. He holds notable wins over Maki Pitolo and Darren Stewart.

Marc-Andre “Power Bar” Barriault (14-6) is a former TKO middleweight champion who has rebounded from a rough start in the UFC. He has won three of his last five fights, including a submission win against Jordan Wright.

This fight promises to be an action-packed affair between two aggressive finishers who are not afraid to trade blows. Both fighters have shown durability and heart in their previous bouts, but also have some weaknesses that could be exploited by their opponent. Marquez has an advantage in grappling and submissions, while Barriault has an edge in striking volume and accuracy.

The post UFC 285 Prelims Preview: Fight card analysis and breakdowns appeared first on The Body Lock.

Du Plessis, 29, is currently ranked #10 in the division and is looking to leapfrog #5 ranked Brunson on Saturday night.

Derek Brunson, informally called “Blonde Brunson” for his hairstyle is 39 and coming off his first loss since 2018. Prior to that loss, Brunson was on a five-fight winning streak with two finishes. Most recently, though, Brunson was knocked out in 2022.

Brunson vs. Du Plessis will feature on the UFC 285 preliminary card this weekend. Watch the entire Jones vs. Gane fight card live on ESPN+ PPV.

Du Plessis opened south of a 2:1 favorite but has spiked as UFC 285 has neared.

• Du Plessis: -240 (MyBookie)
• Brunson: +200 (MyBookie)

Du Plessis is an exceptionally entertaining fighter who, over the course of his last two fights has shown progression and growth in the cage. Du Plessis is, justifiably, most known for his striking and his power. He is primarily a switch stance kickboxer with a variety of snapping kicks that he can land from a variety of angles and distances. He carries heavy power in both hands and can put an opponent out quickly.

He uses athletic movement at range, often staying on the balls of his feet to add extra spring and explosion in his striking. While his movement is explosive, Du Plessis can, at times, recklessly rush in with little regard for his own defense. Because of his power and speed, though, even when Du Plessis disregards his own defense, his opponent is still at the same risk as he is.

When Du Plessis is more measured, which typically comes after a high octane and wild round 1, he stands at range with a higher guard and looks to break his opponent down with kicks. In most of his early fights, “Stillknock’s” approach of power kicks and wild haymakers against the cage was successful and resulted in several early finishes.

Special Promo: First-deposit bonus up to $1,000 on MyBookie

Recently, however, he has shown a development in his game that adds an important skillset: grappling. Du Plessis’s primary criticism is that he can punch himself out and if an opponent can withstand the storm, then the opponent can push Du Plessis back. However, with his recent athletic grappling and ability to drag an opponent down from the cage to the mat, Du Plessis can take a break in rounds without needing to take a step back. Du Plessis is able to hold his opponent against the cage, take a few deep breaths, and then tee off again or drag them to the mat. His addition of clinch work and takedowns fills a large gap in his game.

Brunson, especially at 39, is about as predictable as they come in the cage. He is a strong, fundamental, and highly skilled wrestler, with a heavy overhand left from a southpaw stance, and a shaky chin. Back in the day, Brunson was a three-time DII All-American wrestler in college. He translated that skillset well into the cage, shooting power single and double legs, dragging opponents down, and using heavy top control to hold position.

On the feet, especially early in his career, Brunson carried real power and could shut the lights out with his left hand quickly. He’d also be able to find finishes on the mat with vicious ground and pound. More recently, possibly due to age, Brunson has slowed a bit and his finishes have lessened. He tends to favor position over finish on the mat; but, make no mistake, with his top control ability and extensive experience, when Brunson postures up, he can still rain down fire. The issue throughout his whole career has always been his chin.

Brunson’s striking, while he carries power, is rudimentary and slow. Couple basic and exploitable striking with a shaky chin and his 6 career knockout losses make more sense. Brunson, as he always does, will have to survive on the feet long enough to shoot a takedown and look for his own finish in this fight.

Prior to Brunson’s 2019-2021 run in the UFC, this fight would have car crash written all over it. However, Brunson showed an ability to deal with heavy-handed strikers and still find success with his wrestling. Brunson has a clear path to victory and proof that he can still implement that path even as he nears 40.

However, two key factors have me picking Du Plessis here.

Du Plessis is one of the most naturally athletic and strong fighters in the division with improved grappling of his own.

Second, Brunson has always struggled with speed and size while striking, both of which Du Plessis’ has in spades. Even if Brunson can get Du Plessis down, I don’t think he finds the finish and I don’t think he can rack up enough control time to keep him safe on the feet for 15 minutes.

I think Du Plessis finds the chin of Brunson at some point; and, when he does, it should be lights out. My specific bet will be Du Plessis inside the distance. I don’t see much value in narrowing the finish to KO only (+150), although that is the most likely finish.

Also, while I like Du Plessis to win, I’m not confident enough in him as a parlay piece, especially considering the number of other parlay options on the card.

Best Bet: Du Plessis to win inside the distance (-110 odds at MyBookie)

The post UFC 285 Predictions: Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis betting guide appeared first on The Body Lock.

But on the prelims, two of the top contenders in the middleweight division will face each other, as Derek Brunson and Dricus Du Plessis clash in a fight that could propel one fighter up the rankings.

Brunson vs. Du Plessis is a matchup of contrasting styles and personalities. Brunson is a veteran of the sport who has faced some of the best fighters in the history of the division, including Anderson Silva, Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Yoel Romero. He is known for his explosive wrestling and powerful striking, as well as his resilience and experience.

Du Plessis is a former KSW champion who has made a huge impact in his first four UFC fights, finishing three of them by knockout or submission. He is a versatile fighter who can mix it up on the feet and on the ground, with a confident and charismatic attitude.

Both men are coming off contrasting performances in their last fight. Brunson’s five-fight win streak was snapped by Jared Cannonier, who defeated him in the second round at UFC 271. While Du Plessis extended his own streak to five with a stunning third-round rear-naked choke against Darren Till at UFC 284. Both men have expressed their desire to fight for the title soon, but they will have to get past each other first in what promises to be an exciting and explosive encounter.

The UFC 285 main card will be shown live on ESPN+ pay-per-view from 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

The preliminary card will start at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m PT on ESPN and ESPN+, while the early prelims will kick off at 5:30 p.m ET / 2:30 p.m PT on ESPN+.

MMA journalist James Lynch recently asked UFC fighters who they think will win the showdown between Derek Brunson and Dricus Du Plessis. Who do they think will win and why? Read on to find out.

Brunson vs. Du Plessis predictions

Jan Blachowicz

“I think Du Plessis, is in very good shape right now and has a good win streak, so I think he can win this fight.” (via James Lynch)

Jamahal Hill

“The striking is where I think Du Plessis will actually honestly give Brunson a little bit of trouble. But his grappling and wrestling have been a lot of the ways he’s been getting it done, he’s been mixing it in with that. I don’t think he’s going to wrestle like that with Derek Brunson. I’m not gonna say that because he does look good and he is strong and he doesn’t stop, but I don’t know, bro, I don’t know, that’s a good fight, that’s a really good fight.” (via James Lynch)

Cory Sandhagen

“Du Plessis has some big, big power, so I’m gonna go with Du Plessis because those big guys, they, you know, the odds of them landing something that knocks someone out go way way up. So I’m [picking] Du Plessis.” (via James Lynch)

Curtis Blaydes

“I like Brunson. He’s the vet, I think he’ll just figure it out. Is it the main event or is it a three-rounder [it’s a three rounder]? Okay, well yeah, even more, because I think Du Plessis, I think he might have the conditioning. He might be the better-conditioned guy, but this is a three-rounder. I think Brunson will be able to maintain the pace and get the decision victory.”

Paul Craig

“Am I right in saying Dricus was the KSW champion? His ability and his work rate’s through the roof, isn’t it? And he’s like, I remember the fight against Darren Till where he just had him in that and that sort of turtle position where he would just perk against the cage and it just wore Darren Till down until Darren Till had nothing to offer him. But Brunson is a beast. That’s an interesting fight and the UFC put this fight together because you know when these two guys are going to collide, they’re going to get fireworks, but I just think Brunson’s experience is going to be able to — his experience and skills — just going to be able to see him through this fight, it’s probably gonna go the distance.” (via James Lynch)

Evan Elder

“It sucks that they’re fighting each other because dude, I absolutely love both of these guys. Like two amazing human beings, I love them, I have no idea about that one. Obviously, I think it’s more of a striker wrestler match up, you know, I think Brunson’s gonna wanna grapple him, I think Dricus is going to try to keep it standing on the feet and you know, I think it’s gonna be a matter of who can implement their game. Whether Brunson can take him down, I think both of them are gonna be in trouble in each other’s realms, you know. I think Derek Brunson’s gonna have a hard time striking with Dricus, and I Dricus is going to have a hard time grappling with Derek, so it’s just gonna be a matter of who’s gonna be able to implement their game plan.” (via James Lynch)

Ian Heinisch

“I gotta go with Derek Brunson just because he’s vettier, he’s slicker. And the other guy is kind of brute power and Brunson’s kind of good at surviving that and coming back and winning.” (via James Lynch)

The post Derek Brunson vs. Dricus Du Plessis | UFC 285 fighter predictions appeared first on The Body Lock.

Betting Odds

Du Plessis opened as a short favorite but has jumped up significantly as the fight has neared.

• Dricus Du Plessis: -180
• Darren Till: +155

Fight Breakdown

Du Plessis is a powerful and athletic kickboxer with a sneaky submission game. He has recently gained notoriety for the power in his fists, but his most impressive strikes are arguably his snapping kicks. Typically, Du Plessis fights with a high guard, protecting his chin, as he kicks with variety and emphasis from range. He is able to explode from odd angles and land powerful attacks with a variety of techniques. When Du Plessis lands one of his kicks from range, he tends to pounce on his hurt opponent like a lion on a gazelle. He follows up his kicks from range with athletic, heavy combinations that target the body and chin. If he gets his opponent stunned against the cage, Du Plessis continues to land heavy strikes until the opponent drops. Although we haven’t seen it much in the UFC, Du Plessis also has an athletic grappling game with the ability to use his natural strength to wrestle. While his grappling and wrestling skills are raw and dependent on his physical attributes, “Stillknocks” also has an underappreciated submission game. If an opponent tries to wrestle him, Du Plessis can grab a neck and finish with a guillotine choke. Offensively, Du Plessis has showcased his speed, power, athleticism, and kickboxing skills in impressive fashion. He is still raw, but has high potential. The biggest concern for Du Plessis’s backers is how he responds when he is hurt. Often, Du Plessis is the hammer and has not spent much time being the nail. As he continues to climb the rankings, he will likely have to prove that he can rally and recover at some point.

Darren Till feels like he’s been in the UFC forever, but he is still only 29. Throughout his career, Till has proven his toughness, technical striking, and reliable takedown defense. His typical approach to fights is to keep it standing and turn the sport of MMA into more of a fight. At range, Till has a sharp jab-cross combination that lands quickly and cleanly. He is highly technical offensively but can struggle defensively. His footwork is often a step slow, and his head does not regularly move off the center line. When striking at distance, Till looks to incorporate more of a volume-heavy approach, where his barrage of straight punches push his opponent backwards. Once he gets them moving back, Till transitions from a volume to a power striker. He excels offensively against the cage, where he can incorporate knees and elbows. His constant pressure, coupled with aggression and power, make him a dangerous striker. However, he has recently struggled against wrestlers and pressure strikers. While Till has respectable takedown defense, the threat of a takedown has made the already defensively porous fighter more exposed on the feet. Against pressure fighters who refuse to let Till push them on their back foot, Till has accepted the defensive position and has been backed into the cage himself. Defensively, Till still has to land those knees and elbows, but he can get trapped and tee’d off on when he is pinned against the cage. His chin, toughness, and cardio, though, have helped him survive dangerous positions and rally back in fights.

Prediction

I liked Du Plessis much more at his opening -130 line, but now that he’s up to the -200 range, I’m a bit more cautious. Du Plessis will likely have the edge in speed, power, and striking variety, but Till is a tough and battle-tested fighter who can ramp up volume as the fight progresses. I still like Du Plessis to win, but given the odds where they are, I caution people against making a large bet.

Pick: Du Plessis to win

The post UFC 282 Prediction: Dricus du Plessis vs. Darren Till odds appeared first on The Body Lock.

Tavares, a fighter on the UFC roster since 2010 has fought the who’s who of MMA. Holding wins over fighters like Lorenz Larkin, Nate Marquardt, and Thales Leites. He has even further played the role of one-half of each fight against current and former champions Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Yoel Romero, so needless to say the advantage in experience is heavily in his court. Most recently Tavares earned a pair of wins over Omari Akhmedov and Antonio Carlos Jr., two men who are currently making waves amongst the best of PFL.

Tavares’s 20 UFC bouts loom large over Du Plessis’ two, but the young South African stand-out maintains he is more than ready for any challenge. With a total record of 16-2, his record is mostly made up of a dominant run in EFC, before becoming a KSW champion in 2018. After a brief return to EFC in 2019 to secure his spot in the UFC, Du Plessis then strung together wins over Markus Perez and Trevin Giles to solidify a perfect finishing rate inside the octagon.

UFC 276 is a PPV event and will stream only on ESPN+ in the United States this Saturday night. Order the PPV here to watch every fight live.

Betting Odds

Du Plessis will enter as the betting favorite at UFC 276 with odds of -125 against Tavares who is listed at +100.

• Du Plessis: -125 (MyBookie)
• Tavares: +100 (BetUS)

Breakdown

Dricus Du Plessis comes from a kickboxing base. He utilizes a high guard and a high pace. While he often switches stances, his primary means of entry is a rare sort of sprint entry, similar to the tactic Jorge Masvidal used against Darren Till, but Du Plessis will start it surprisingly far out. It’s an unusual way to bridge the gap, and it’s powerful as a means to generate power or drive his opponents back to the fence over a large distance but he is caught with his chin up as he darts in from time to time. The most prominent strike in his fights tends to be his right hand, and if he finds it difficult to land flush and exit with his sprint, he does find success working on the counter as well.

His leg kicks are also an important weapon and he lands often but at the same time leaving his head on the centreline while doing so has gotten him in trouble. However, if he can draw out a reaction from his kicks, such as getting Tavares to plant on the rear leg to check, his darting movements then have a greater chance of catching Tavares stationary.

In terms of grappling, Du Plessis is not as comfortable as he is on the feet. He has good takedowns but tends to shoot the double and finish on the single leg. The problem with this is it’s a difficult task to find someone more adept at defending single legs in MMA than Brad Tavares. Tavares may very well choose to contend with Du Plessis on the feet as striking is also his usual chosen means of fighting, however it is well-roundedness that makes him most threatening. Tavares typically sticks to the basics, his jab cross is a consistent weapon. He is also great at using his jab to draw in the counter so as to lean back or parry to land the right. However, those who have been able to double up on the lead jab or hooks have been able to catch him while he is stuck on the back foot trying to slip away.

On the feet it is a very contentious bout, on the mat as stated before, Du Plessis’ primary type of takedown is exactly what Tavares is a master at defending. For Tavares, we rarely see him go to his wrestling unless prompted. If Du Plessis fails on a shot, we may see Tavares reverse it, end on top and hammer away, however. In top position the same base that allows him to stay standing even when his opponent is deep into a shot allows him to maintain a good base on top and worry about ground and pound. His lack of upper body control relative to his striking does allow some space to return to the feet but he is usually happy with doing as much damage as he can before resetting at striking range anyway.

Prediction

I believe the big difference in this fight will be experience. Both men have shown very good performances all round in the UFC, but Tavares has shown that level of impressiveness against some of the best. I think both will have success on their feet, and so the one who is able to adapt and pull out different looks will then start to gain traction down the line. If Du Plessis finds himself shooting as a plan B, I don’t see him finishing it and I do see Tavares reversing position, or if the two have a competitive kickboxing match, as time goes on a see Tavares maintaining his fluidity and composure to a greater extent.

Prediction: Brad Tavares to win (+100 odds at BetUS)

UFC 276 is a PPV event and will stream only on ESPN+ in the United States this Saturday night. Order the PPV here to watch every fight live.

[lasso ref=”betus-bonus” id=”37228″ link_id=”23816″]

The post UFC 276 Prediction: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Brad Tavares appeared first on The Body Lock.

With all the nerds out there watching tape and breaking down fighters’ techniques using tried and tested methods, I thought it would be a lot cooler to use novice-like intuition, random bits of trivia, and stuff I read on the internet as a way to predict the outcomes of fights. I didn’t put out an article last week? A terrible mistake on my part given the stunning card put together on paper. Pretty sure every MMA analyst wanted the title of my series when breaking down De Castro vs. Felipe after the fact.

Today we’re breaking down the Moraes vs. Sandhagen main card. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram at @AllDayAuger, and like and subscribe to The Body Lock’s YouTube channel. It’s important because I need a platform for these amazing insights and adoring fans to satiate my hubris.

3 out of 5 for UFC 253 isn’t the worst, especially considering I called Blachowicz’s title win. Too hard to bet against the unholy pact he made with that hanged man’s soul. After taking a week off due to the day job and my personal life being a little hectic, I’m back to bless you with picks that will infuriate your friends who follow The Fight Site.

Y’all gave us feedback that you didn’t care for the mixed format, so I’ll be doing a full article this week and we’ll add in some videos for fun in addition to this. Thanks for making me do more work, really appreciate that.

Let’s dive in!

Tom Aspinall vs. Alan Baudot

Coming off of four consecutive first-round finishes, Tom Aspinall is looking to keep his momentum going just three months after his UFC debut. The heavyweight from England is 8-2 overall in his professional MMA career,  having once lost by submission and once by disqualification. He’s also done some sparring with lineal heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, to boot.

Alan “The Black Samourai” Baudot on the other hand is making his first walk to the octagon since winning by disqualification at TKO 47. Going 8-1 throughout his tenure as a pro, Baudot’s only loss comes from fellow UFC light heavyweight Dalcha Lungiambula. It is important to note that the loss came at 205 lbs. and that is where Baudot has fought the majority of his career.

MMA math is pretty easy to read here. Aspinall looked like a monster his last time out but has a loss via DQ. Baudot won his last bout by disqualification, presumably on purpose because it’s a crafty way to stand out from other UFC fighters. My guess is “The Black Samourai” lulls Aspinall into false confidence by eating a lot of knees in the clinch only to drop down to the ground last minute and claim an illegal strike victory. Too easy.

Baudot via R3 disqualification

Markus Perez vs. Dricus Du Plessis

Du Plessis has made a name for himself over at EFC and KSW, holding the welterweight title in both promotions and the middleweight title in EFC.  His only loss coming against current KSW 170 lbs. champion Roberto Soldic in the past six years, Du Plessis is one to keep an eye on as he makes his UFC debut come October 10. His opponent Markus Perez has gone 2-3 since making his way the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion, losing to guys like Eryk Anders and Andrew Sanchez. Originally slated to fight Rodolfo Vieira, Perez clearly has done something to piss off Sean Shelby given his recent bookings.

Normally I’d take Du Plessis here hands down, but “Stillknocks” seems to suffer from enhanced Luke Rockhold syndrome, going his entire career without seeing the judge’s scorecards. Meanwhile, Perez has only ever lost by unanimous decision, as well as alternating losses and wins since he arrived in the UFC. That combination is too hard for a lazy analyst like me to ignore, meaning Perez will get the finish here no problem. Sorry, Sean, you’ll get Perez next time.

Perez via R1 TKO

Ben Rothwell vs. Marcin Tybura

Speaking of angering Sean Shelby, I’m pretty sure he was livid at the fans when he arranged this matchup.

The walking husk that was formerly Ben Rothwell will take on decision machine Marcin Tybura in the last matchup outside of the main and co-main event. Ever since returning from a USADA doping suspension in 2019, Rothwell has failed to warrant any performance worthy of his foreboding walkout music. Meanwhile one has to wonder if Tybura’s ceiling is limited to an entry-level gatekeeper for those who join the UFC heavyweight division. Going 6-5 in his UFC career overall, he’s managed to beat legends like Sergey Spivak and a 38-year-old Andrei Arlovski.

In fact, since Rothwell managed to lose to 40-year-old Arlovski last year, I’m gonna go ahead and assume Tybura gets this job done based on the age-old property of aging. Make sure to get the caffeine ready for this one.

Tybura via Unanimous Decision

Edson Barboza vs. Makwan Amirkhani

In the co-main event, Edson Barboza continues his quest to bring about officiating reform by letting judges rob him. Dropping down to 145 lbs. for what I can only assume is a masochistic fetish, “Junior” is on a two-fight skid across two different weight classes. While one might hope to expect the usual Barboza kicks and spinning attacks, it is no longer a sure thing.

Amirkhani has fought a slew of featherweight prospects over the past three years, falling only to Arnold Allen by split decision and Shane Burgos by third-round TKO last year. “Mr. Finland” certainly puts on exciting fights, but whether or not he’ll be able to compete with a step up in competition like Barboza is out for debate. Amirkhani is never one to shy away for a challenge, however, and for as long as the fight goes it should be a banger.

Even though Amirkhani has pretty much halved the number of fights between each loss as his career has progressed (an advanced MMA math insight, btw), Barboza is really tempting fate with this one. While I think Sodiq Yusuff posed his own set of problems for the Brazilian, the fight would have most likely gone overwhelmingly in his favor or he would have been wrestled into a unanimous decision loss. Amirkhani’s style begs for a back-and-forth slugfest that will create the perfect opportunity for the judges to passive-aggressively suggest “Junior” hang them up with another split decision against him.

Amirkhani via split decision

Marlon Moraes vs. Corey Sandhagen

In the main event, we have “Magic” Marlon Moraes taking on rising bantamweight Corey Sandhagen. Sandhagen suffered the first stoppage loss of his career after Aljamain Sterling choked him out in the first round back at UFC 250, derailing the hype train he was conducting at the time. Moraes must have slept with Shelby’s wife because despite getting a win over Jose Aldo at UFC 245, Aldo went on to get a title shot against Petr Yan while “Magic” waited nearly a year for a high-risk, low-reward matchup.

Having lost twice in the past nine years only to arguably the two best bantamweights on the planet, Henry Cejudo and the leviathan that is Raphael Assuncao, Moraes is having to win back his number one contender spot despite never really losing it. Yes, Aljamain Sterling has earned a crack at the belt, but Moraes has already cracked Aljo’s skull with a leg kick and it’ll be hard to deny him another title fight if he wins here. Sandhagen did topple the beast of Assuncao on his first try, however, so I imagine Moraes will fall quite easily here and Sandhagen will end up getting a title shot over Sterling, because of course he will.

Sandhagen via R1 TKO

The post S#*%ty UFC Predictions: Moraes vs. Sandhagen appeared first on The Body Lock.

The report listed an undisclosed injury as the source of Du Plessis’ withdrawal, and KSW’s official website likewise cites an injury as the cause for forcing the South African out of the fight. However, in conversations with The Body Lock, Du Plessis revealed new details.

Du Plessis shared, “I am actually healthy and in the best shape of my life.”

However, during Du Plessis’ training camp, consultation with doctors led to a significant development.

“We always keep a very close eye on my health and the doctors have decided that for me to cut to 77 kg [170 lbs] is just not healthy anymore and too dangerous for the longevity of my career,” Du Plessis wrote.

Rather, Du Plessis told The Body Lock, a move back up to middleweight is in the works: “I will now compete at 84 kg [185 lbs].”

Since the former two-weight EFC champion is healthy, he’d like to be booked as soon as possible.

“I’m ready for anyone at 84kg and I’m ready right now so I hope they can give me a fight asap,” he wrote.

The 25-year-old has fought at middleweight in the past, capturing the EFC middleweight title in 2017. He has fought eight times at 185 pounds, including his first six professional bouts.

Du Plessis also lamented over missing the fight with Mankowski, writing, “It’s very sad for me that I can’t fight Borys.”

Du Plessis has won four of his last five, most recently losing his KSW title to Roberto Soldić, the man he took the title from, in the pair’s rematch. He was set to take on Mankowski at KSW 47, which was set to take place on March 23.

It is unclear whether or not KSW will attempt to book Du Plessis at middleweight for KSW47.

The KSW title in the middleweight division is vacant following the retirement of longtime champion Mamed Khalidov. The division is one of KSW’s best, featuring the likes of Scott Askham, Michał Materla, Damian Janikowski, and others.

The post KSW’s Du Plessis not injured; moving up to middleweight on doctors’ orders appeared first on The Body Lock.