Jaymes Mackay provides his tips on one of the strongest Fight Night cards the UFC has ever produced.
Sky Bet's MMA expert sizes up UFC's latest offering
This is arguably one of the strongest if not the strongest Fight Night card the UFC has managed to put together to date.
The main event has a similar vibe to that of UFC 128 where we get to see a veteran of the sport Antonio Rogerio Nogueira take on one of the new breed in Phil Davis.
Also, the co-main event gives us patriots a chance to get behind one our most recognised fighters - Dan "the outlaw" Hardy when he takes on American Anthony "Rumble" Johnson.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Phil "Mr Wonderful" Davis
Nogueira, also known as 'Little Nog', is a 34-year-old veteran who began his illustrious career with Pride in Japan.
He has an outstanding CV with notable victories over the likes of Alistair Overeem & Dan Henderson.
Nogueira is a Brazilian Ju-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt with a strong boxing pedigree, who goes into this fight as the underdog - which is reflected in his price of 9/4 with Sky Bet.
Davis is very much at the start of his career but has impressed since his UFC debut at UFC 109, where he beat Brian Stann via decision and has since gone on a four fight win streak.
However, this is undoubtedly his biggest test to date, but if he is able to utilise his superior wrestling and impressive BJJ then he has every chance, as a result Sky Bet has him as the 1/3 favourite in this one.
Personally, I feel Davis will take this to the ground the first chance he gets but the pedigree of both fighters' BJJ will cancel each other out and Davis will win a comfortable unanimous decision 30-27.
Sky Bet Tip:
Phil Davis by Decision at 5/4
Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy vs. Anthony "Rumble" Johnson
The popular Brit Dan Hardy will hope to return to winning ways in this one following back to back defeats to Welterweight King George St-Pierre & American Carlos Condit.
However, this is far from a cert for 'The Outlaw', in fact he goes into this fight as the slight underdog at a price of 6/5 against a very dangerous striker in Anthony Johnson.
One advantage Hardy may have here is that 'Rumble' may have a bit of ring rust with his last fight being all the way back in November 2009, where he was submitted by Josh Koscheck.
Johnson has five wins in the UFC all coming by way of KO/TKO and if you feel this streak will continue you can back the American to win at 8/13 or more specifically to win by KO/TKO at 2/1.
This is a very difficult bout to call, but one thing we can expect is a very entertaining fight for the spectators as both fighters will be keen to stand and bang and I would be surprised if this one is left to the judges.
Perhaps I am slightly biased here but I think Johnson's ring rust could play a factor and Dan Hardy, despite being the underdog, will pull off an upset.
Sky Bet Tip: Dan Hardy to win in rounds 1-3 at 5/2
Amir Sadollah vs. DeMarques Johnson
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 7 winner Amir Sadollah takes on TUF Season 9 runner up DeMarques Johnson in this welterweight bout.
Sadollah, despite having more UFC fights under his belt is perhaps the less experienced fighter here.
However, he is a very intelligent combatant who is capable of putting on entertaining fights despite four of his six UFC bouts going to judges' decision.
Conversely, Johnson has never been a full three rounds in the UFC, with his three wins and two defeats all ending inside the allocated three-round period.
Both fighters are well-rounded, possessing legitimate BJJ and stand up skills, with Sadollah being more of a kick boxer and Johnson adopting more of a typical boxing approach.
Sky Bet has Sadollah as the 4/11 favourite here with a price of 2/1 being offered for Johnson. This is another difficult one to call but I feel Sadollah will be confident standing with Johnson and for this reason Johnson may look to take the fight to the ground.
The question is: does either fighter have the ability to submit the other? In my opinion the answer is probably not and I feel this will end up going to a decision.
Sky Bet Tip: Sadollah by Decision 11/10
In coming weeks Sky Bet are looking to expand upon their already impressive number of MMA/UFC markets including the introduction of "double chance", "how & when the fight will end" and the recently introduced and available "will the fight go the distance?" These markets and more will be
available soon on our UFC page.
