Fight Night UFC Forecast: Song versus Gutierrez Bouts Assessment
UFC Fight Night Preview 🚀
It's fight time once more as UFC Vegas 83 lights up the octagon this Saturday night (Sunday morning SA time), with Quintin van Jaarsveld doing the honors as usual, providing the lowdown.
Originally scheduled for Shanghai, this event took a detour to the UFC's APEX facility in Las Vegas – thanks to some undisclosed reasons that surfaced mid-November. But fear not, fight fans, as the show must go on!
Here's who'll be slugging it out in the main card:
MAIN CARD (from 5 AM Sunday SA time):
Song Yadong (1.26) vs Chris Gutierrez (4.00) (Bantamweight)
Song certainly has a bone to pick, as the venue swtich has cost him the anticipated homecoming affair. He'll have to settle for fighting in the intimate surroundings of the UFC APEX, where he scored a fifth-round TKO victory over Ricky Simon back in April. Ranked 7th, this emerging Chinese talent has won four of his last five fights, with the only blemish being a late doctor stoppage due to a cut against former interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen. Nicknamed "Kung Fu Kid," Song is primarily a striker. Swift, smart, and always working at a high pace, his impressive record of 20-7-1 (9 KOs and 3 submissions) speaks for itself.
Gutierrez, who's best known for KOing UFC legend Frankie Edgar in Edgar's retirement bout last November, has lost just once in his last 10 fights, to long-time contender Pedro Munhoz in April. Ranked 14th, he bounced back from that defeat with a decision win over Alateng Heili last month and is eager to build on that momentum and crack the top 10. Nicknamed "El Guapo," Gutierrez boasts 20-4-2 stats (9 KOs and one sub), with his southpaw stance presenting a tricky challenge for Song.
Prediction: Song by knockout.Best Bet: Song by KO/TKO/DQ at 2.20.Alternative Bet: Song by decision at 2.50.
Anthony Smith (2.70) vs Khalil Rountree (1.48) (Light Heavyweight)
In the co-headliner, we've got a pair of battle-hardened warriors going at it. Smith, a UFC veteran with 37-18 records, is a diverse threat, with 20 KOs and 14 submissions on his list of victims. That includes taking down former champions Mauricio Rua and Rashad Evans and even going head-to-head with Jon Jones for the title in 2019. Fresh off a split decision win over Ryan Spann in August, Smith is now aiming to build momentum.
Rountree, carrying 12-5 stats, is a dynamic southpaw with potent power in his strikes, knocking out eight fighters to date. He's currently riding a four-fight winning streak and three of those victories came by way of KO. With his speed and agility, Rountree will attempt to dance around Smith and avoid grappling exchanges.
Prediction: Smith by submission.Best Bet: Smith at 2.70.Alternative Bet: Smith by submission at 7.00.
Nasrat Haqparast (1.52) vs Jamie Mullarkey (2.60) (Lightweight)
The main card's featured bout promises non-stop action, as both fighters prefer to keep the dance on the feet. Haqparast's counter-attacking style should mesh well with Mullarkey's pressure game. Haqparast, who boasts nine KOs and three submissions on his record, is on a two-win streak following victories over John Makdessi and Landon Quinones in September. Mullarkey, who's got to his name 10 knockouts and three submissions, has won three of his last four bouts. This one's expected to be a war, and Haqparast's more polished technique should carry him to a victory on the judges' scorecards.
Prediction: Haqparst by decision.Best Bet: Haqparst by decision at 2.10.Alternative Bet: Haqparst at 1.52.
Sumudaerji (2.10) vs Tim Elliott (1.76) (Bantamweight)
Sumudaerji is facing a curveball with a late change of foe, as Allan Nascimento got injured, putting Elliott in the driver's seat on short notice. The bout will now take place at bantamweight instead of flyweight. Sumudaerji is a flashy striker with 13 KOs, returning for the first time in over a year, eager to start fresh following a back-and-forth war with Matt Schnell that snapped a three-fight win streak last July. Elliott, a seasoned veteran and former title challenger, aims to rebound from a submission loss to Muhammad Mokaev in October. This is a tough test for Sumudaerji, but Elliott's decades of experience give him the upper hand.
Prediction: Elliott by decision.Best Bet: Elliott at 1.76.Alternative Bet: Elliott by decision (check markets).
Andre Muniz (2.45) vs Junyong Park (1.57) (Middleweight)
This bout features two very different fighters. Muniz, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace, has had a rough year, with back-to-back stoppage losses to Brendan Allen and Paul Craig, leaving him hoping to rebound. Park, on the other hand, is on the rise, with a four-fight win streak and a 7-1 mark in his last eight fights. All three of Park's latest victories came by submission. "Sergipano" will shoot for takedowns early and often, but Park's ground game has improved considerably, giving him a good chance to turn the tables and claim victory.
Prediction: Park by knockout.Best Bet: Park at 1.57.Alternative Bet: Park by KO/TKO/DQ at 3.15.
In the world of sports, betting enthusiasts might consider placing a wager on the UFC's rugby-like encounter, known as mixed martial arts. Specifically, the bout between Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez in the main card of UFC Fight Night has potential for a thrilling knockout, with Song Yadong being the predicted victor at 2.20 for a KO/TKO/DQ. Alternatively, if you prefer more long-term prospects, you could bet on Song Yadong by decision at 2.50.
