We’re back with our UFC in Vegas Fight Night predictions. The UFC in Vegas 34: Jared Cannonier vs. Kelvin Gastelum main card UFC Odds are available. Read on for our complete betting guide and preview next weekend’s favorite matchups, including updated odds and our free expert betting predictions.
UFC in Vegas 34 Main Event Prediction
Jared Cannonier vs. Kelvin Gastelum
UFC Middleweight Bout
Apex Centre
This weekends main event of the evening is accompanied by #5 ranked middleweight Jared Cannonier, and his opponent #10 ranked Kelvin Gastelum.
Kelvin Gastelum (17-7-0) has grown from a boy into a man fighting the UFC’s elite. Making his first appearance on The Ultimate Fighter reality show in 2012, he was just 21-years-old when stepping into the UFC octagon.
In recent years, a well-rounded skillset hasn’t paid off for the Californian native, as he’s riding the worst losing streak of his career (1-4). However, we must recognise that Gastelum has been fighting some of the stiffest competition the middleweight division offers.
Former heavyweight and light heavyweight competitor Jared Cannonier (13-5-0) has seemingly found his calling inside the middleweight division; a considerable weight cut has paid off because he’s riding the best win streak opposite to Gastelum of his career (3-1).
The matchup itself is intriguing; Cannonier has relied on his knockout power, but Gastelum has never been stopped via strikes. A power puncher versus a man whose durability is yet to be tested will surely deliver a main event worthy contest.
With that said, I struggle to rely on Cannonier finding the button and finishing Gastelum. In a five-round matchup, the cardio and output of Gastelum seem the most likely route to victory. Cannonier struggled during the third round when facing Robert Whittaker; now, he’s faced with a potential 25-minute fight. Sure, Gastelum will give up a significant size advantage, but when hasn’t he gave up these attributes In the middleweight division?
Gastelum owns the two’s more well-rounded martial arts skillset, including a wrestling offense that could cause Cannonier some issues. In addition, he’s the betting underdog, and recency bias doesn’t win wagers.
UFC Vegas 34 Best Bet: Kelvin Gastelum at +130 with DraftKings [1u returns 1.30u profit]
UFC in Vegas 34 Co-Main Event Prediction
Mark O. Madsen vs. Clay Guida
UFC Lightweight Bout
There’s no denying that Clay “The Carpenter” Guida is a mixed martial arts legend; having competed for the previous 18 years, we cannot question his in-octagon experience. But at the age of 40, it’s hard for any fighter to continue amongst the up-and-coming martial artists and provide the same output.
Mark O. Madsen is no spring chicken himself. Still, at 36-years-old the former Olympic wrestler has only competed in 10 professional MMA bouts, therefore, giving him a much greater ceiling on the longevity scale.
The problem for Guida is that he loves to wrestle but is facing an Olympic level wrestler; his usual gameplan will be thrown out the window. Also, Madsen owns a nasty guillotine, and if Guida wants to change levels and attempt his typical takedowns, he will be met with a strong pair of arms around his neck. Guida has been susceptible to choke attacks on several occasions, and he often struggles when faced with solid grapplers. The Greco Roman wrestling background of Madsen could be “The Carpenter’s” worst stylistic matchup, giving me confidence that the Danish-born wrestler will walk out the victor.
UFC Vegas 34 Best Bet: Mark O. Madsen to win at -155 with DraftKings [1.55u returns 1u profit]
