UFC 179 Predictions
We had a lengthy break from the UFC, but we’re back with UFC 179 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The featherweight championship fight in the main event will be awesome to watch. The rest of the main card isn’t great, but it’s a lot better than having no fights.
To see the video picks for this event click here to skip to Kamikaze Scotties and click here for Mike Waz’s picks.
UFC 179 Best Bets
- Bet Chad Mendes +199 (Pinnacle) vs. Jose Aldo
Chad Mendes (16-1) gets his chance to avenge his lone career loss, which came against Aldo back in 2012. Jose Aldo (24-1) has been a beast in the UFC, but his reign will come to an end in Brazil. Mendes knows what it’ll take to beat Aldo and that’s his wrestling.
Aldo has 91% TD defense, which is incredible, but Mendes averages 4.99 TD attempts per 15 minutes and hits 59% of them. Aldo has a 4’’ reach advantage and better striking, so Mendes has to make sure he focuses on taking this fight down to the mat.
- Bet Glover Teixeira by Decision +120 (5Dimes) vs. Phil Davis
Phil Davis (12-2-0-1) just lost to Anthony Johnson in his last fight and now he has Glover Teixeira (22-3) on deck. Teixeira lost his first career UFC fight against Jones last time out and he’s going to want to get back into the win column on Saturday.
Teixeira averages more TD attempts, lands more takedowns and has better TD defense. He’s an active striker as well, but he also absorbs a lot of damage and Davis has a 3’’ reach edge. Davis has never been finished and that won’t change, but Teixeira wins.
- Bet Fabio Maldonado –119 (BetLion) vs. Hans Stringer
Fabio Maldonado (21-7) was quickly dominated by Miocic in his last fight, which he took on short notice. This time around he’ll be fighting Hans Stringer (22-5-3) who barely won his UFC debut and I’m really not sure what to expect out of the Dutch fighter.
The knock on Maldonado is that he eats a lot of shots and at LHW you don’t want to take a lot of strikes. Stringer has 9 TKO/KO wins, but none at any meaningful level. Maldonado should outclass Stringer with relative ease on his way to a victory.
- Bet Lucas Martins +158 (BetLion) vs. Darren Elkins
Lucas Martins (15-1) is 3-1 in the UFC with his only loss coming against Barboza in his debut. Martins will be fighting in his home country against Darren Elkins (17-4) who is 1-2 in his last three fights, which includes a loss to Stephens in his last fight.
Elkins doesn’t really do that much well in the cage except protect himself well and he has a strong chin. He’ll need it this weekend, as Martins has a lot of power and is an active striker. This is a great spot for the young Brazilian to pick up a big win in his career.
- Bet Teixeira / Maldonado / Ferreira Parlay +264 (Pinnacle)
I’ve explained why I like the first two fighters on my parlay. I also added Carlos Ferreira (11-0) to beat Beneil Dariush (8-1) on the main card. Ferreira has looked great since joining the UFC and I can’t bet against him until he gives me a reason not to back him.