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The Fight Analyst gets back into the win column going 2-0 last week. That brings his overall record to 20-8 and is looking to keep the momentum going this weekend at UFC Vegas 52.
The UFC is coming off of a solid fight card last week. We saw Jessica Andrade make quick work of Amanda Lemos, putting herself right back into title contention.
This weekend we have another great card on tap with bantamweights Rob Font and Marlon Vera battling it out in the main event. The rest of the card is littered with up-and-coming fighters and should be an exciting one from start to finish. With that said, let’s take a look at the Best Bets for UFC Vegas 53.
Darren Elkins vs. Tristan Connelly
The Fight Analyst’s Pick |
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Darren Elkins -162 to win |
In the featherweight division, we have a fight between two scrappy fighters in Darren Elkins and Tristan Connelly.
Elkins is coming off of a brutal TKO loss to Cub Swanson in his last fight. He was riding a two-fight winning streak coming into that matchup. Known for his toughness and grinding style of fighting he is one fighter that you’re going to have to finish early or he will just drown you with pace and pressure.
Connelly is coming off of a one-sided loss to rising prospect Pat Sabatini. This will be Connelly’s first fight in a year due to having a second neck surgery that has kept him out of competition.
If that neck injury hinders Connelly at all, Elkins will be able to exploit it. Elkins is always putting the pace and pressure on his opponent looking to break them down over the course of a fight. I expect Elkins to get the takedowns against Connelly and either finish him on the mat or grind him out for a wide decision victory.
Gina Mazany vs. Shanna Young
The Fight Analyst’s Pick |
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Gina Mazany -174 to win |
In the women’s flyweight division we have a fight between Gina Mazany and Shanna Young. Both fighters are desperately in need of a win which should make for an exciting fight.
Mazany hasn’t had the best of luck lately alternating wins and losses over the last two years. Her most recent defeat saw her gas horribly in a fight she was dominating. If her cardio woes don’t fail her in this matchup, she should run away with it.
Young also hasn’t fared well at all in her time in the octagon. She primarily has been fighting at bantamweight so perhaps dropping down to flyweight could do her some good. The only problem is her defense is something to worry about, and that could spell trouble against a grappler like Mazany.
Young just hasn’t looked comfortable in her time inside the octagon. Whether it be on the feet or on the mat she just seems out of place. Mazany on the other hand has shown that can she hang in there and has some legit skills primarily her grappling. Mazany has a sizable advantage in the grappling department and as long as she doesn’t gas out like in her last fight, she has this fight in the bag.
Rob Font vs. Marlon Vera
The Fight Analyst’s Pick |
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Rob Font -132 to win |
In the bantamweight main event, we have a fight between two ranked competitors in No. 5 Rob Font and No. 8 Marlon Vera.
Font is coming off of his first loss since 2018 at the hands of Jose Aldo. Font looked crisp with his striking but the power of Aldo was the difference-maker. While he is an exceptional striker at range, he will need to utilize his distance management well against a pressure fighter like Vera.
“Chito” Vera is finally getting a bump up in competition after his recent winning streak that saw him knock out Frankie Edgar. Vera is as game as they come. His pace and pressure wears on his opponents, and he will look to do more of the same against Font in his first-ever main event.
Aldo was able to capitalize on the small holes in Font’s defense. Being as prolific of a striker as Aldo is, I don’t believe Vera could replicate that in this matchup. Font’s jab will trouble Vera’s ability to set his range. Vera will try to be the aggressor and push the pace but the volume and accuracy of Font will have him landing at will throughout, which will ultimately get him back into the win column.
Think ‘The Fight Analyst‘ has the best bets for UFC Vegas 53? Let us know who you’re picking in the comments below.