SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 274 GAMBLING GUIDE

The UFC heads to Phoenix Arizona with one of the most exciting cards we’ve had the pleasure of predicting in a long time. This is a mega stacked card that includes a main card of future hall of famers and two title bouts!

 

Main Card

Charles Oliveira (c) vs. Justine Gaethje (Lightwweight)

Okay…lets take a breath before we proceed with this one. What we have here is two incredible fighters that aren’t afraid to throwdown or launch their opponent across the Octagon. Each fighter is arguable at the peak of their career, coming off a plethora of Fight of the Night performances. Believe it or not this will be Oliveira’s 30^th fight in the UFC, the man has literally been around forever but is 32 and remarkable seems to get better in every bout, and even when hurt, finds a way to win. Gaethjie is one of the most ferocious fighters on the lightweight division. If ever he was going to get the title it is probably against ‘do Bronx’ but something tells us, the champs strategy will avoid trading blows at all costs (this includes those horrendous Gaethjie leg kicks) and get this one to the floor immediately. If Gaethjie hasn’t taken the Brazilian’s head off in the opening two rounds, the likely outcome is Oliveira to sink in a RNC before this one comes to an end. Regardless, fans are in for a treat.

WINNER: Oliveira

METHOD: Submission

 

 

Rose Namajunas (c) vs. Carla Esparza (Women’s Strawweight)

Back in 2014 we saw these two face-off in the TUF 20 Finale, the outcome was Esparza being named the reality show champion. Fast forward to 2022 and we finally have a rematch where the runner up of that particular season, now holds the strawweight belt. A fighter often overlooked, Esparza tends to use her cardio and grappling to scrape decision victories but made a big statement in her last outing (KO victory over Xiaonan Yan at UFC Fight Night 188) which arguably landed her this title shot. The levels between each fighter are so different now with ‘Thug Rose’ being a totally different beast to 2014. Odds will be decent for this one to go the distance but as the fighter progresses it will be ‘Cookie Monster’ who gasses first leaving her open to a submission.

WINNER: Namjunas

METHOD: Submission

 

 

Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson (Lightweight)

Another possible contender for FOT. Ferguson has told the MMA press he is fully recovered and reenergized following his time off but we are not so sure. Like all MMA fans we’ve enjoyed the monumental UFC scraps he’s been part of but this one won’t end well (it really won’t) and ‘El Cucuy’ shall need to seriously consider calling time on a fantastic career. He’ll put up a valiant effort but fans will be using their Jedi mind powers to get the ref to step in after a while.

WINNER: Chandler

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

 

Shogun Rua vs. Ovince Saint Preux (Light heavyweight)

Let us make one thing clear. Mauricio Rua is one of our favourite fighters of all time. We love the fact he is still in the UFC, as watching him compete makes us reminisce of various old skool fighters that have since retired. Whilst Shogun might be carrying the torch for MMA veterans, this is his first active bout in two years where in that time he has celebrate his 40^th birthday – he also has an astonishing 40 bouts under belt! The UFC have been kind enough to give him a fighter who hasn’t really tuned up in his previous two fights and has suffered the price. Can Shogun defy the odds and hand OSP his third straight KO loss? We feel bad saying this but if OSP doesn’t beat Shogun, something has happened (is he not training much anymore? Is he done with MMA? Is he simply riding out his contract?) and he has to leave the UFC. He really needs to, and should win here. Which pains us to say.

WINNER: Ovince Saint Pruex

METHOD: Submission

 

 

Donald Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon (Lightweight)

Talk about battle of the UFC veterans. Many think both men should have retired gracefully at least two years ago but here we are, predicting the outcome of their fight. Lauzon was down on his luck but a KO victory at UFC on ESPN 6 saved his career (he’d previously lost 3 in a row). Cerrone has been more active but sadly hasn’t actually won a UFC bought in 6 fights with his last win coming in 2019 – the last time his current opponent competed. Cerrone will lose again and Dana White will have to step in and prevent his friend from competing in the UFC again. This isn’t a bad thing, Cowboy has been a company man since joining the UFC and will be looked after.

WINNER: Lauzon

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

 

Preliminary Card

Andre Fialho vs. Cameron VanCamp (Welterweight)

Submission specialist VanCamp makes his UFC debut against the hard hitting Fiahlo who will be looking to welcome him with a heavy punch to the chin.

WINNER: Fialho

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

 

Randy Brown vs. Khaos Williams (Welterweight)

Quite an even match-up this one with many fans expecting fireworks. We expect a much more cautious approach from both camps.

WINNER: Williams

METHOD: Decision

 

 

Macy Chiasson vs. Norma Dumont (Women’s Flyweight)

Whilst Chiasson is no push over, Dumont has really impressed with her boxing (she’s probably one of the best strikers in the division) and we think her plan will be to keep this one standing and get the UD.

WINNER: Dumont

METHOD: Decision

 

 

Brandon Royval vs. Matt Schnell (Flyweight)

We’ve mentioned this before, Schnell is one of those fighters that should be better than he is. Unless he showcases something different, we are going with Royval to get his hand raised.

WINNER: Royval

METHOD: Submission

 

 

Early Prelims

Blagoy Ivanov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (Heavyweight)

The only heavyweight bout on the card but will probably be one of the least exciting. Don’t be surprised if this one ends up going the distance.

WINNER: Rogerio de Lima

METHOD: Decision

 

 

Francisco Trinaldo vs. Danny Roberts (Welterweight)

At 43 years young, can the Brazilian stay in the spotlight with another win? Englishman Roberts will be looking to avenge fellow brit Jai Herbert but the chances of him putting Trinaldo’s lights out are pretty slim. A split decision is more likely.

WINNER: Roberts

METHOD: Decision

 

 

Tracy Cortez vs. Melissa Gatto (Women’s Flyweight)

Cortez is currently riding an impressive 9 fight winning streak but she’s never faced a fighter a talented or hungry as Melissa Gatto. If Cortez wins this will be a huge scalp for her but we just can’t see where she beats the rising Brazilian star.

WINNER: Gatto

METHOD: Decision

 

 

Kleydson Rodrigues vs. C.J. Vegara (Flyweight)

Both fighters are products of DWCS but the only difference is Vegara is one step ahead having already experienced what it is like to fight in the UFC. Vegara will have no Octagon nerves this time and should get back to winning ways against Kleydson who makes is UFC debut.

WINNER: Vegara

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

 

Ariane Carnelossi vs. Lupita Godinez (Women’s Straweight)

Brazilian Ariane Carnelossi bounced back in style from her disappointing UFC debut, producing two impressive back-to-back wins. She will look continue her run and move up the ladder.

WINNER: Carnelossi

METHOD: Decision

 

 

Journey Newson vs. Fernie Garcia (Bantamweight)

Journey Newson has had a terrible UFC journey so far and this is the final roll of the dice for him and his team. Garcia comes into this bout off the back of an impressive DWCS performance. Can he hang with someone who has spent in the UFC and desperately needs a win? Time will tell.

WINNER: Newson

METHOD: Decision

 

 

UFC 274 WILD CARD BET: Justine Gaethje to defeat Charles Oliveira via KO/TKO