MMA Event Breakdown: UFC Fight Night - Nicolau vs. Perez
We have had one week off to digest what we collectively witnessed at UFC 300, but now the relentless wheel of combat sports keeps on turning with a fight night from the Apex Center. Flyweights don’t often get top billing, but that’s exactly what we are in store for as Matheus Nicolau takes on former title challenger Alex Perez over five rounds.
MMA Event Breakdown: UFC Fight Night – Nicolau vs. Perez
Maheshate Hayisaer vs. Gabriel Benitez
Fight Odds: -230 Maheshate vs. +200 Benitez
Weight Class: 155lb. (Lightweight)
The first fight of the night will be a lightweight bout between China’s Mahashate and Mexico’s Gabriel “Moggly” Benitez. Maheshate has been an underdog in his first four UFC bouts, but now he is finally installed as a favorite after posting a 2-2 record under the UFC banner as he takes on the struggling veteran in Benitez. Benitez is more technical with the stand up and a more proven jiu jitsu player on the mat, but his durability has been in sharp decline over the years and he has been knocked down 4 times in the octagon and lost inside the distance on 7 separate occasions (5 since arriving in the UFC). Maheshate got put down by vicious strikes from stand up specialist Slava Borschev, but otherwise he has been extremely durable and tough enough to tank his opponent’s offense and keep pushing forward. I think Maheshate will win this fight on the strength of his youth, his durability, and his punching power, but it’s a volatile, low-level scrap.
Prediction: Maheshate defeats Gabriel Benitez via KO1/2