UFC 162 Predictions

UFC 162 is on Saturday night and the entire card features some fights that I can’t wait to watch. The main event has been hyped up for a long time now and we’ll finally find out if Chris Weidman is able to beat Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight title.

UFC 162 Betting Predictions

• Anderson Silva -228 (Pinnacle) vs. Chris Weidman

The middleweight division is full of great fighters and Weidman will get his chance to shine on Saturday night. Stylistically this is a tough match-up for Silva because his weakness is being ground and pounded by wrestlers, which Weidman can do to him.

Silva’s takedown defence has improved, but Weidman is an awesome wrestler. If Weidman comes out like Sonnen did then he has a chance to win the title. However, Silva always seems to pull off the win and his experience will play a role in this fight.

Weidman has beaten Maia and Munoz in his L2 fights, but this a big step up without much experience. Silva knows how to beat wrestlers after defeating Sonnen twice. I like Silva if he drops below -200 odds and I also like Silva by decision +520 for a bit.

• Tim Boetsch +118 (SportBet) vs. Mark Munoz

Tim Boetsch is 4-1 in the UFC at middleweight and has looked great despite losing to Philippou by TKO in his last fight. Munoz is 7-3 since joining the UFC and he was on a 4-fight win streak (Simpson, Dollaway, Maia & Leben) before losing to Weidman.

Munoz has the edge in wrestling, but Boetsch is also a strong wrestler, which will negate a lot of the edge Munoz has. In striking I expect Boetsch to have the edge. He isn’t fast, but he’s very strong and his striking is excellent once he gets in close.

Boetsch will have a 3’’ reach advantage in this fight and if he can keep Munoz from gaining top position he should win. Boetsch is better in most statistical categories than Munoz. My best underdog on the entire card this weekend is Boetsch.

• Gabriel Gonzaga ITD -155 (5Dimes) vs. Dave Herman

This fight is going to end by stoppage without a doubt. Only 1 of Gonzaga’s fights has gone the distance in his career. Since he came back to the UFC after being let go by the promotion Gonzaga has looked a lot better despite losing to Browne last fight.

Dave Herman has the tools to win due to his power, but he has looked terrible lately and could be on his way out. Gonzaga will win this fight by submission by working his takedowns and finishing off Herman. Gonzaga doesn’t want to stand and bang.

• Silva / Gonzaga / Swanson / Edgar +254 (SportBet)

I already explained why I like Silva and Gonzaga this weekend. Edgar finally has an “easier” fight than he’s used to. He’s a big fav to beat Charles Oliveira and should have no problem getting the win and bouncing back from his recent slump in title fights.

Cub Swanson is on a roll right now, but he’s going up against the tough Dennis Siver. Both fighters like to stand and strike and I think this fight could be the FOTN on Saturday. I like Swanson because he could take this fight to the ground and easily win.