UFC FN 106 Betting Tips
There are 12 fights going down Saturday night in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil with a mix of established vets and contenders on the rise. 39 year old legend Vitor Belfort (25-13) tops the card against the up-and-coming American Kelvin Gastelum (13-2). Another former champion from Brazil Mauricio Rua (24-10) is in the co-main event against slugger Gian Villante (15-7). With devastating strikers Tim Means and Edson Barboza on the card, it’s worth your time to check out what should be an entertaining card with betting opportunities throughout. Let’s take a closer look at the UFC Fight Night 106 card.
Preliminary Card
Rony Jason (14-6) versus Jeremy Kennedy (9-0)
You got to love any fighter that enters the cage with a hockey mask and that’s just what Rony Jason does based on his Friday the 13th film character nickname. The mask has not been helpful in his last outings, so the Brazilian will have his chance to slow down the hype train against the undefeated Canadian Jeremy Kennedy.
Paulo Borrachinha (8-0) versus Garreth McLellan (13-5)
Undefeated Borrachinha expects a knock out over South Africa’s McLellan and the odds reflect this confidence. The Brazilian is a big favorite here and should come through to the fans delight early in the card.
Kevin Lee (14-2) versus Francisco Trinaldo (21-4)
Trinaldo is on a seven fight winning streak in the Octagon, but he is still an underdog to lightweight Lee. The confident American looks to stop the Brazilian in his tracks and make a name for himself in a stacked division.
Sergio Moraes (11-2-1) versus Davi Ramos (6-1)
Ramos is coming in on short notice and is a big underdog to Moraes. The grappling ace Sergio should add to his six fight UFC unbeaten run in this matchup and look for a high profile fight next.
Joe Soto (17-5) versus Rani Yahya (23-8)
Soto was thrown into the deep end in his UFC career as he stepped in on 24 hours notice to fight for the UFC strap in 2014. One Bad Mofo lost the belt and his next two bouts, but now has two submissions in his most recent outings. It should be impossible for Soto to out-grapple Yahya, who is a three-time world jiu-jitsu champion. Soto is an underdog here in the foreign land, but I like a play on the American to get the upset.
Josh Burkman (28-14) versus Michel Prazeres (21-2)
36 year old Burkman should not be fighting much longer in the UFC. The People’s Warrior has only one win in his last six bouts. He takes on the Brazilian Prazeres. The grappler should be able to outwork the slowing American in a 15 minute decision, unless a punch from the slugger Burkman can land within the first few minutes.
Main Card
Tim Means (26-7-1) versus Alex Oliveira (15-4-1)
This is a rematch of what ended in an illegal knee from Means resulting in a no contest last December. Means has stoppages in 22 of his 26 wins, so the Dirty Bird is in the cage to do damage. Oliveira is one of the toughest fighters around, and the Brazilian Cowboy has 10 KO/TKOs to his name. The favorite Means should use his reach and length to get his hand raised.
Bethe Correia (10-2) versus Marion Reneau (7-3-0)
Correia is one of the craziest fighters around. Pure entertainment is expected in this pick-em fight. I like “The Bruiser” Reneau in this one. With the American’s high finishing rate and the delusions that Correia thinks she has power in her hands will leave the Brazilian fans disappointed in their local fighter.
Ray Borg (10-2) versus Jussier Formiga (19-4)
We might be looking at a future flyweight title contender here. Another fight that is close in odds. Borg is the youngest fighter on the card at 23, but brings in 12 fights of experience. Formiga has twice the fights, and that should pay off in this one. I like the veteran to slow down the career of the always dangerous Borg.
Edson Barboza (18-4) versus Beneil Dariush (14-2)
Barboza will never be in a boring fight. The vicious kicks of the Brazilian make him a favorite here. If you like the underdog, you can bet on the grappling of Dariush that has the ability to put the fight on the mat to his advantage.
Mauricio Rua (24-10) versus Gian Villante (15-7)
This co-main event will feature a striker versus striker bout. Someone will fall down and with the cheering Brazilian fans behind him, I expect Shogun to be standing and celebrating in the Octagon. Villante can take a punch and should keep it entertaining while it lasts.
Vitor Belfort (25-13) versus Kelvin Gastelum (13-2)
This main event brings together an established veteran in Belfort versus the prospect Gastelum, who has moved up into the middleweight division this year. The younger fighter is a big favorite here, but don’t discount the surprising speed and power of The Phenom at 39 years old. This should go one of two ways, a quick KO for Belfort or a long and punishing performance from the American wrestler. Enjoy watching the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion while he is still around. Saturday night, I expect the new generation to arrive and push the Brazilian closer to retirement.
About Ryan O’Leary
Ryan O’Leary is the founder of MMAViking.com, the premier source for daily mixed martial arts news in the Nordics. Established in 2008, the UFC credentialed media source has covered over 200 events cageside.
