UFC Fight Night is set to take place this Sunday the 4th of January at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The main event features Ankalaev vs Walker in their second encounter and we will look at this as well as 2 additional fights from a betting angle.
Click here to bet on the full fight card
MAGOMED ANKALAEV vs JOHNNY WALKER
Light Heavyweight Main Event:
Magomed Ankalaev is a Russian fighter who is known for his stamina and heavy hitting. He entered the UFC in 2018 where he lost his debut fight, however since then he has not lost a single fight, winning 9, with 1 draw in his penultimate fight against Jan Blachowicz for the division title in December 2022. His most recent fight against Walker in October ended in a no-contest at UFC 294.
Ankalaev enters the octagon this weekend as a comfortable favourite across the betting markets to pick up the win.
Johnny Walker is a Brazilian fighter who is well known for his effective striking and grappling, he is often described as an entertaining fighter to watch and he has won 3 of his last 4 bouts, with 1 loss to Jamahal Hill in early 2022. As mentioned above, the last encounter between these 2 fighters ended in a no contest and neither of them have fought since.
Prior to the no-contest, Walker beat Anthony Smith by decision in May last year and although he has been in reasonable form he will fight as the dark horse in terms of the betting on this occasion.
BETTING – click here to bet
Ankalaev 1/5
Walker 15/4
PREDICTION:
I believe that Ankalaev will simply be too good for Walker on this occasion, and he will win in round 2 by TKO.
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MATHUES NICOLAU vs MANEL KAPE 2
Flyweight Bout:
Mathues Nicolau is a Brazilian fighter who is a well-known grappler and is dangerous when he gets his opponent to the canvas. He has won 4 of his last 5 fights, featuring a tight, split decision win over Kape in 2021 in a fight that could’ve gone both ways. His most recent fight took place last April where he lost via TKO to Brandon Royval in round 1.
He will enter the event this weekend as the slight underdog and will be looking to defy the betting odds that are against him in order to pick up his second win over Kape.
Manel Kape is a Portuguese fighter who is known for his stamina and clean striking. Like his opponent, he has also won 4 out of his last 5 fights, with his only loss being to Nicolau when they first met as mentioned above. His most recent fight was against Felipe dos Santos in September last year where Kape won by decision at UFC 293.
Despite the loss to Nicolau in 2021, Kape enters the bout as the favourite, and he is expected to level the rivalry 1-1 on Sunday.
BETTING – click here to bet
Nicolau 9/4
Kape 37/100
PREDICTION:
I believe both fighters have what it takes for the fight to go the distance and Kape will win by decision.
JIM MILLER vs GABRIEL BENITEZ
Lightweight Bout:
Jim Miller is a veteran in the UFC who made his professional debut in 2008. He is still on impressive form considering he has fought in the UFC for 15 years and he has won 4 of his last 5 fights, with his most recent bout ending in a round 1 KO win over Jesse Butler.
He will enter the fight as the slight favourite in the betting.
Gabriel Benitez is a fighter who is known for his abilities in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he also has a solid amount of experience after entering the UFC in 2014. He has lost 3 of his last 5 fights with his most recent bout ending in a round 1 TKO win over Charlie Ontiveros. From a career perspective it seems it is now or never for the Mexican to start a winning streak and keep his aspirations alive.
BETTING – click here to bet
Miller 15/20
Benitez 23/20
PREDICTION:
I believe that Miller has been on form that is a level above that of Benitez and that Miller will win by round 2 TKO.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Ankalaev vs Walker
Ankalaev in round 2 at 4/1
Nicolau vs Kape
Kape by decision at 18/10
Miller vs Benitez
Miller to win at 15/20 (for bigger odds Miller by KO at 26/10 or Miller in Round 2 at 5/1)
All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
