UFC Fight Night 50 is taking place this Friday night at Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Connecticut. This Fight Night card looks to be far better than last weeks PPV UFC 177 card, just based on the talent on display. Last week I made one pick on the UFC 177 card, but after Barao pulled out of the title fight my bet cancelled leaving me with no action on the entire card. It was at least an exciting fight even though the fighters involved were not the best the UFC had to offer.
2014 Record: 40-22 for +17.36 units.
Gegard Mousasi vs Ronaldo Souza
Gegard Mousasi got his first win at Middleweight with a submission win over Mark Munoz back in May. Before that he lost his first fight at the weight class, but this was to Lyoto Machida in February. Machida was too big of a bite to chew for his first UFC Middleweight fight, but he’s heading back up the rankings against, this time against Jacare Souza who is currently ranked #4. Souza has performed well at Middleweight throughout his career. He was the Strikeforce champion at the weight class beating strong opponents such as Tim Kennedy and Robbie Lawler before losing the Strikeforce championship to Luke Rockhold. He was then fed some easy opponents for his next 3 Strikefroce fights and even his move to the UFC hasn’t created very difficult match ups for him. In fact Yushin Okami, who he beat via KO about a year ago was his biggest win in the UFC and it ended up sending Okami, how had won his previous three UFC fights packing from the promotion.
I think Mousasi will be the most difficult opponent Souza has faced in the last few years so it will be interesting to see how he fares. One thing I’m confident of is that Mousasi is too big of a dog according to the bookies.
Take Mousasi +250 @ 5Dimes.eu.
Ben Rothwell vs Alistair Overeem
Ben Rothwell has been in a win then lose pattern in his MMA career since back in 2008. He fights a lower ranked opponent, beats them, then gets a well known opponent and loses. His last four losses have come to Andrei Arlovski, Cain Velasquez, Mark Hunt and Gabriel Gonzaga. Each of these men are well known and strong fighters in the UFC. His wins have been over less impressive competition. I expect this pattern to continue when he faces Overeem. Alistair Overeem had a bit of a bad start to his UFC career with losses to Antonio Silva and Travis Brown, each by knockout, but he got back in the win column last February with a win over Frank Mir. It was Mir’s 4th loss in a row, but it should give Overeem confidence heading into this next fight. I expect Overeem to overpower Rothwell and find a way to win the fight.
Take Overeem -515 @ BetOnline.ag.
Matt Mitrione vs Derick Lewis
Mitrione knocked out Shawn Jordan in March and I personally think he’s a bit underrated in the UFC. Derick Lewis has had a strong start to his UFC career with a couple of KO’s, but he hasn’t foughten anyone with Mitrione’s credentials yet in his MMA career.
Take Mitrione +140
Michael Chiesa vs Joe Lauzon
Joe Lauzon is a stepping stone in the UFC. He’s never really been able to make the jump, but thanks to him being an exciting fighter he has stuck around the UFC and become a gate keeper to the next level. I for one think Michael Chiesa has the ability to get to that next level. His bjj is very strong and I expect someone to win this fight either via submission or decision.
Take Chiesa -135 @ 5Dimes.eu.
Alistair Overeem • ben rothwell • Derick Lewis • Gegard Mousasi • Joe Lauzon • Matt Mitrione • Michael Chiesa • Ronaldo Souza
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