The biggest event of the year and arguably in the UFC’s history is upon us as UFC 300 heads to Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event sees Alex Pereira attempt to defend his light heavyweight title against Jamahal Hill. In the co-main Weili Zhang faces off with Yan Xiaonan for the women’s strawweight title and the entertainment and big names don’t stop there. From top to bottom the card is full of legends, former champions and up-and-coming contenders so don’t miss a second. Below I will preview the title fights and provide tips on each fight on the UFC 300 card.
UFC 300 Predictions & Tips
Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill
There is a strong case to be made for why both men will get their hand raised at UFC 300 and in my opinion, this is the toughest fight to call on the entire card. The 205-pound division has seen a range of champions since Jon Jones moved up to Heavyweight. Alex Pereira won the vacant title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka. Now he faces Jamahal Hill who had to vacate the title after he dethroned Glover Teixeira as he was ruled out for an extended period of time with a foot injury.
Why this fight is so hard to call is Hill is still relatively unknown at the top of the division. He has an incredible reach, something that comes with being 6 foot 4, but he also hasn’t beaten anyone that makes me think he should be champion. He beat an aging Teixeira and stopped chinny Jonny Walker and Thiago Santos post-knee issues.
He also has one of the worst footwork I have seen from a former champion who chooses to stand and trade. On the flip side, you have Pereira whose knockout power clearly carried from Middleweight, as evidenced in him stopping Prochazka. But Jiri was also losing his title fight against Teixeira before pulling out a late round five finish to clinch the title. While I believe Pereira would be made to look silly if a man such as Jones was still in the division, the light heavyweight division doesn’t have any standouts and I believe he can retain his title. Hill has avenues to win this fight but I keep coming back to his lack of footwork. Poatan can lull opponents into a sense of uncertainty and jumpiness, where fighters feel like they have to throw something, for example his fight with Sean Strickland. Then as in that case, the semi-active fighter is punished by a brutal counter. If Hill gets in a jab off with Pereira and doesn’t keep moving, it is a matter of time until he is caught. Back the Brazilian to score another knockout win.
Alex Pereira to win by KO/TKO
$2.25 (3 Units)
Weili Zhang vs. Yan Xiaonan
Weili Zhang is going to make an absolute mess of Yan Xiaonan here and while this should be a fun fight, Xiaonan is so badly outgunned. Xiaonan comes into this fight 8-2 in her last 10 and has wins over the likes of Jessica Andrade and Mackenzie Dern. She is a solid boxer, who throws fast combinations. However, Zhang has shown she can hang with anyone on the feet and has a clear path to victory on the mat.
Couple that with the fact Zhang is also the cleaner striker and holds more power in said strikes and it is incredibly hard to see how Xiaonan gets her hand raised. While I do believe Zhang could nab a submission win I will play this safe and back her to just get the win.
Weili Zhang to win
$1.25 (5 Units)
Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway
Max Holloway versus Justin Gaethje is such a fun fight. This fight will be contested almost entirely on the feet and Holloway is the better boxer. Gaethje does, however, hold a significant power advantage.
Holloway has never been stopped and Gaethje won’t wilt under the pressure. I have a definite lean toward Gaethje based on likely damage accrued and will pick him to get his hand raised by decision.
Justin Gaethje to win by decision
$4.10 (1 Unit)
Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan
These two men in my opinion are the top two contenders in the lightweight division and both I believe have a real chance to dethrone Islam Makhachev. I was tempted to back Oliveira to get the win but I believe one way or another a knockout finish will occur so I will instead be playing that way.
Oliveira is hittable and gets hurt way too easily. While Tsarukyan will march forward and throw with everything. He also shoots for takedowns very low and therefore, I can see a trademark Oliveira knee up the middle ending his night. Backing one of the two ground specialists to get a knockout here.
Fight to end by KO
$2 (1.5 Units)
Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage
Don’t back a $1.05 shot it in MMA as if you do you’re asking for it to lose. But in saying that Bo Nickal will beat Cody Brundage in whatever way he pleases and fast, so round 1 knockout seems the best bet in my book.
Bo Nickal by Round 1 knockout
$3.25 (2 Units)
Prelims Predictions & Tips
Jiri Prochazka vs. Alexander Rakic
I am not high on Alexander Rakic and his hype is just not justified. He is a slower and more predictable Jiri Prochazka who he faces here. At underdog odds hit the Prochazka line.
Tip: Jiri Prochazka to Win – $1.94 at Ladbrokes (3 Units)
Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling
Calvin Kattar is no joke on the feet and can cause serious problems to Aljamain Sterling. If it was over five rounds I would lean Kattar but over three I believe Sterling’s pressure will see him get his hand raised. He only needs to get this fight to the ground twice to win and I am backing him to do just that.
Tip: Aljamain Sterling to Win – $1.53 at Neds (2.5 Units)
Holly Holm vs. Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison will be UFC champion next year in my opinion but Holly Holm is a seriously hard UFC debut. Holm’s takedown defence continues to improve and her lateral movement will test Harrison. In saying that, Harrison is a different beast to what Holm has faced and it is hard to see a world where Harrison can’t get Holm down and put a beating on her.
Tip: Kayla Harrison to Win – $1.24 at Ladbrokes (3 Units)
Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes
Incredibly overlooked fight on the card. Sodiq Yusuff is an incredible striker and Diego Lopes is a super sneaky submission artist. I thought Yusuff would open favourite and I was keen to back Lopsz at the line. However, since he is the favourite, I will back him to submit Yusuff as his ground grade is so underrated and it is an area where Yussuf is yet to fully develop.
Tip: Diego Lopes to Win by Submission – $4.10 at Neds (2 Units)
Jalin Turner vs. Renato Moicano
Jailin Turner faces a linear opponent in Renato Moicano this weekend and should make light work of him. Expect the American to knock out the Brazilian in impressive style.
Tip: Jalin Turner by KO/TKO – $1.88 at Ladbrokes (3 Units)
Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez
Jessica Andrade needs this win and should get it here. Marina Rodriguez’s loss to Amanda Lemos showed she doesn’t handle a bullying style well, which is exactly what she is faced with this weekend.
Tip: Jessica Andrade to Win – $1.70 at Bet365 (2 Units)
Bobby Green vs. Jim Miller
MMA doesn’t like fairytale stories and that won’t change here. Jim Miller is so badly outclassed and him knocking out a few unranked nobodies has not got me believing he now has bricks in his hands. Bobby Green will make a mess of him, the only question is will it go all three rounds?
Tip: Bobby Green to Win – $1.53 at Bet365 (4 Units)
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Gardbrandt
I still don’t trust Cody Gardbrant to fight smart for three rounds. Deiveson Figueiredo may be moving up a weight division but he will only be a more dynamic threat where he doesn’t have to cut a ridiculous amount of weight, I see him getting a statement win, most likely stopping the former champion.
Tip: Deiveson Figueiredo to Win – $1.30 at Bet365 (3 Units)
