Florian vs. Nunes Free Pick
VANCOUVER, BC (TheSpread) – The co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 131 is a featherweight showdown between Kenny Florian and Diego Nunes. Here is a look at my pick for this fight.
Florian enters this bout as the favorite according to oddsmakers from online sportsbook Bodog as he has odds of -275 while Nunes has a money line of +215. UFC 131 takes place from the Rogers Arena and will air live on Pay-Per-View at 9PM ET.
WHY PICK FLORIAN
Kenny Florian (13-5) is one of the top lightweights in all the world and he now makes his debut at 145 pounds in hopes of someday earning UFC gold. Florian is a strong mix of muay thai striking and submission grappling. He has 12 wins by finish in his career and is a very cerebral fighter. Florian should have the size edge in this contest, as he is coming down from a bigger weight class. His opponent, Nunes, will also have the pressure of fighting in his first UFC co-main event against the toughest opponent in his career.
WHY PICK NUNES
Nunes (16-1) really has nothing to lose in this fight as he is the big underdog and a loss to Florian won’t set him back too much in the rankings, as he isn’t well known in the first place. Nunes can really lay it all out there and earn himself a possible title fight with a win. Nunes is a great grappler that has been able to out-muscle fighters like Mike Thomas Brown and Raphael Assuncao. While he hasn’t had a great run of finishes, he has some good submission ability to his credit. Florian may also struggle with his first weight cut at 145 pounds and fatigue in a fast-paced fight.
WHO TO PICK?
Nunes is a tough test for Florian to open the featherweight division with, but I ultimately see him Florian using his poise and talents to out-class Nunes. I see Florian putting his weight on Nunes and eventually getting the fight to the ground and winning by rear naked choke in the third round.
UFC 131 FREE PICK: KENNY FLORIAN -275
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