MMA Event Breakdown: UFC 300 - Pereira vs. Hill
The week-to-week grind of the UFC feels daunting during forgettable Apex Center events, but we are reminded why we are fight fans when cards like UFC 300 roll around on the calendar. The combat sports leader is putting their best foot forward with a trio of title fights (two weight class and one novelty belt) and a laundry list of former champions in meaningful matchups. The card has everything you could ask for: legendary veterans, high stakes matchups, and incredible anticipation. Let’s dive in!
Editor’s Note: Keep checking back as more fight breakdowns get added!
MMA Event Breakdown: UFC 300 – Pereira vs. Hill
Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage
Fight Odds: -2000 Nickal vs. +1000 Brundage
Weight Class: 185lb. (Middleweight)
Nickal is a wrestling super prospect who emerged in the UFC with very limited professional experience in mixed martial arts but a lifetime spent winning championships and dominating the NCAA ranks. He has closed at an average market price of -1799 across 4 bouts (DWCS/UFC), so he hasn’t produced a high return on investment (5.6% ROI) despite winning all 4 bouts in dominant fashion.
Brundage is not a fighter I typically back at the betting window or pick to win his fights. He has explosive knockout power at times (KO1 vs. Tresean Gore), as well as opportunistic guillotines (SUB1 vs. Dalcha Lungiambula). He slammed his way to a victory in his last fight against Zachary Reese, which may give Nickal pause before rolling a triangle in this bout. That being said, he has shown poor decision making inside the octagon on numerous occasions, including a jumping guillotine against jiu-jitsu world champion Rodolfo Vieira and getting finished himself.
Nickal seems like a big-game player, and this fight was put on the main card to showcase his skills and abilities. It’s a middleweight fight with 4-oz gloves, so this price is prohibitive, but Nickal should deliver a finish after accruing some cage time.
Prediction: Bo Nickal defeats Cody Brundage via TKO2
Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Fight Odds: +170 Oliveira vs. -200 Tsarukyan
Weight Class: 155lb. (Lightweight)
Oliveira is one of the most prolific finishers in UFC history, and he was recently the champion of the lightweight division. Now he is being priced as a significant underdog, as high as 2-1, against the talented and dangerous, but far less proven, Tsarukyan.