Belfort vs. Akiyama Pick
PHILADELPHIA, PA (TheSpread) – UFC middleweights Vitor Belfort and Yoshihiro Akiyama are looking to get back into the title picture on Saturday when they meet in the co-main event of UFC 133.
According to oddsmakers Belfort is the favorite in this contest, with odds of -300, while Akiyama is coming in with odds of +240. UFC 133 takes place from the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia and airs live on PPV, starting at 9PM ET.
WHY PICK BELFORT
A former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Belfort (19-9) is coming off a knockout loss to Anderson Silva last February. The loss ended a five-fight winning streak for Belfort, who has some of the fastest hands in all of MMA. Belfort is a striker that has one-punch knockout power in both hands. He is known for his explosion and unleashing a barrage of punches in a matter of seconds. His opponent, Akiyama, is fighting for the first time in 10 months, which could lead to some cage rust.
WHY PICK AKIYAMA
Akiyama (13-3) is a grappling and judo specialist that also likes to throw some fancy strikes. A big star in his home country of Japan, Akiyama has struggled in the UFC, going 1-2 in three fights. While he is the underdog, Akiyama can win this fight if he gets inside of Belfort’s reach and keeps Vitor from working his strikes. If Akiyama can get this fight into the clinch and on the ground, he clearly has the grappling skills to win the fight.
WHO TO PICK?
Akiyama has a chance to win, but he will probably have to eat a punch or two in the fight, and that is where the tide will turn for Belfort. Look for the Brazilian to score a big punch as Akiyama gets careless, which will lead to a TKO finish. I see this ending in the second round.
UFC 133 FREE PICK: VITOR BELFORT -300
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