UFC 224 Predictions
The UFC holds its next pay-per-view event tonight with UFC 224 taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Here’s some fights that we think could pay off for you.
24201 Raquel Pennington vs. 24202 Amanda Nunes
This main event is a battle for the Women’s Bantamweight Championship as Nunes (15-4) defends her title against Pennington (9-5). According to the latest oddsmakers, Nunes is the clear favorite, as she is getting odds of -925 to win. Pennington is listed with a money line of +625 to prevail. Nunes has won her last six fights and is attempting to defend her title for the third time. She last fought in September and had a split decision win over Valentina Shevchenko. Pennington has won her last four, with the last three coming by decision. She is more of a grinder that tries to out-work her opponents. Nunes is a vicious striker with great power and good finishing instincts. With this fight in Brazil, I think Pennington will be overwhelmed. Nunes has better tools and more ways to finish the fight. I like the champ to win. UFC 224 Prediction: Amanda Nunes -925
24205 Kelvin Gastelum vs. 24206 Ronaldo Souza
This should be the top fight on the card as two talented middleweights square off. Oddsmakers have Souza (25-5) as the favorite with odds of -145 to win. Gastelum (14-3) is listed with a money line of +125 to win. Souza is a Brazilian native who has won three of his last four. He has strong power in his strikes and vicious submissions. Gastelum is coming off a first-round KO win over Michael Bisping and he is 3-1-1 over his last five fights. Gastelum has the striking power and wrestling ability to win this fight. Though Souza has the home crowd edge, I think Gastelum scores the upset. He moves very well in the octagon and I think he has the striking advantage and can out-grapple Souza. UFC 224 Prediction: Kelvin Gastelum +125
24217 Vitor Belfort vs. 24218 Lyoto Machida
Two Brazilian fighting legends collide in a middleweight contest tonight. Oddsmakers have Machida (23-8) as the favorite against Belfort (26-13). Machida is listed with odds of -250 to win, while Belfort has a money line of +210 to prevail. Belfort has explosive power and is coming off a decision win over Nate Marquardt last year. Machdia is a karate-style fighter with great power in his kicks. He snapped a three-fight losing streak in February by beating Eryk Anders. Machida is a cautious fighter and his chin has been weakening over the years. I think that will lead to a KO for Belfort, who still has great power and explosiveness. UFC 224 Prediction: Vitor Belfort +210