UFC Fight Night 36 Predictions

We just had a week off, but we’re back with UFC Fight Night 36 in Brazil on Saturday night. The Brazilians are all over this card and featured in every fight, but will they come out on top? The prelims will be on UFC Fight Pass and the main card on Fox Sports 1.

UFC Fight Night 36 Best Bets

• Bet on Lyoto Machida –212 (Pinnacle) vs. Gegard Mousasi

Lyoto Machida (20-4) is looking to become a top contender one last time in his career. He lost a tough decision to Phil Davis, but he bounced back with a KO win over Mark Munoz in R1 in his last fight. He’s fighting Gegard Mousasi (34-3-2) who is 1-0 in the UFC.

Mousasi won his debut against Ilir Latifi by decision, but he didn’t look that impressive. Mousasi has a 2’’ reach advantage, but he’s going to have trouble closing the distance. Machida will utilize his tactical striking and avoid taking big shots to win by decision.

• Bet on Viscardi Andrade –127 (SportBet) vs. Nicholas Musoke

I think we’re getting great odds on Viscardi Andrade (17-5) to beat Nicholas Musoke (11-2-1). Andrade destroyed Marunde in his 1^st UFC fight and Musoke looked good when he submitted Sakara in his debut, but Andrade is definitely the better fighter.

Andrade will crush Musoke in the stand-up, as he is deadly accurate and swings with a lot of power. Musoke will try to take this fight to the ground, but Andrade is talented on the mat. I don’t see where Musoke will have an edge and I’m betting 2U on Andrade.

• Bet on Rodrigo Damm +120 (Carbon Sports) vs. Ivan Jorge

I’m a bit surprised that Rodrigo Damm (11-6) is the underdog. He’s 2-1 in the UFC and he’s a complete warrior. He always puts on a good fight and I think he’ll have the edge in the stand-up against Ivan Jorge (25-3). He just has to keep this fight standing.

Damm is a capable grappler and after watching Jorge struggle to takedown Wisniewski I think Damm will be fine. Jorge lacks power and will look to win by submission, but Damm has only been submitted once. Jorge will struggle to deal damage and Damm will win.

• Bet on Francis Carmont +415 (SportBet) vs. Ronaldo Souza

Francis Carmont (22-7) has been on a tear since joining the UFC and he is now 6-0 in the promotion with numerous big wins. He’ll be fighting Ronaldo Souza (19-3-1) who is 2-0 in the UFC. Souza last lost in 2011 against Luke Rockhold in a Strikeforce fight.

Souza has world-class jiu-jitsu and takedowns, but Carmont has shown great takedown defense (86%) in the cage. Carmont has the edge in power and he comes into this fight with a 4’’ reach advantage. I just these odds are off and I’m betting on the French fighter.

• Bet on Machida / Oliveira / Silva Parlay (Pinnacle)

I think most of the favorites on the main card will have an easy go at it on Saturday night in Brazil. Erick Silva is a huge favorite to win over Takenori Sato who is making his debut with the UFC. I’m not sure why he’s fighting Silva, but it should be an easy fight.

Charles Oliveira fights has lost two in a row (Swanson & Edgar), but now he gets to fight Andy Ogle who is already 1-2 in the UFC. He lost to Corassani and Cole Miller already, so Oliveira should make quick work of him. A $100 bet on the parlay will pay out $92 profit.