MMA Event Breakdown - UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2
The combat sports leader is back in Mexico for a celebratory fight night commemorating the opening of a brand new UFC Performance Institute in Mexico City. Throughout the card, Latin American fighters and Mexican nationals will be showcased in front of a raucous crowd. As weigh-ins wrap up, let’s take a look at all the great fights on the bill.
Muhammad Naimov vs. Erik Silva
Fight Odds: -600 Naimov vs. +425 Silva
Weight Class: 145lb. (Featherweight)
Muhammad Naimov has been a sizable underdog in his first two UFC fights, so it is interesting to see him now entrenched as a -6xx betting favorite against Erik Silva. Silva is 0-1 in the promotion, he is 36 years old, and he has been somewhat inactive in recent years. Silva is a strong wrestler and grappler in round one, but he tends to slow down rapidly over the course of his fights, and given the elevation in Mexico city, his cardio could fall off a cliff here. It’s also fair to note that Naimov hasn’t always reacted well as he begins to tire in fights, resorting to fouls, stall tactics, etc.
The moneyline pricing suggest Silva has no hope or prayer to win, which I think is farcical given the low-level losses to Collin Anglin and Olivier Murad on the record of Naimov. Should Naimov win and probably finish in this spot? Yes, he should. Can I trust him to do so at an 85.7% implied win probability? I don’t think so.
Prediction: Muhammad Naimov defeats Erik Silva via TKO/SUB in Rd. 2/3