Ahead of UFC on ABC (Long Island)- Ortega vs Rodriguez, we take a look at the odds, and predictions for the main card
The talent stacked featherweight division is witnessing some incredible fights and movement, reigned by an immovable force that is Alexander Volkanovski. Many have tried, and many have failed. Two of the best featherweights clash this weekend in an epic contest, when Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez cross paths. Ortega has already had a shot at Volkanovski’s title once, and came the closest to dethroning the featherweight champion.
Brian Ortega vs Yair Rodriguez
Brian Ortega is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division of the UFC. Currently ranked at No.2, Ortega is a 1st degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Rener Gracie. He was also the former featherweight champion of RFA.
Brian started learning martial arts at the tender age of five at Al Martinez Muay Thai Kickboxing in Wilmington, California. When he turned 13, he began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy under Rorion Gracie, and his sons Ryron, Rener, and Ralek Gracie in Torrance, California. At 17, Ortega would meet boxing coach James Luhrsen, who took him under his wings and trained him in striking skills.
Ortega did not have the most memorable of debuts inside the UFC octagon. Although he won his fight against Mike De La Torre through a rear naked choke, the win was overturned after he tested positive for drostanolone. Ortega was fined $2,500 and suspended for nine months.Ortega returned almost after a year against Thiago Tavares on June 6, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 68. He won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the third round. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.
His biggest victory early in his career came against Diego Brandão, a second-degree jiu-jitsu black belt back then. Ortega submitted his opponent via triangle choke, and went on to beat MMA legend Clay Guida by knockout.
An exciting fighter who comes for the finish, Ortega has won the Fight of the night award five times, and performance of the night award twice.
Winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America tournament, Yair Rodriguez is the third-ranked featherweight fighter in the world. An explosive fighter, with diverse weapons in his arsenal, and a killer instinct to shut down opponent’s lights, the Mexican fighter can be a fresh challenge for the champion Alexander Volkanovski with a decisive win.
A black belt in Taekwondo, Rodríguez made his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut on October 10, 2011, at Mexican Fighter Promotions 8, when he fought Jonatan Guzmán and won via unanimous decision.
It was announced in May 2014 that Rodríguez would be a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, competing for “Team Velasquez”. In his first fight on the show, Rodríguez defeated Humberto Brown in the quarterfinals via submission (triangle choke). In the semifinals, Rodríguez defeated Rudolfo Rubio via submission (strikes) to reach the finals.
Rodriguez faced Leonardo Morales in The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America featherweight finals, and won the fight by unanimous decision. Rodriguez also holds the record for the latest knockout in UFC history (4 minutes 59 seconds of Round 5), has five Fight of the Night bonuses, and three performance of the night awards.
Our Prediction- While it may seem like an evenly matched fight, Ortega has a slight advantage in the finish rate. He also has fought some of the biggest names in the featherweight division, but so has Yair by now. Ortega has proved time and time again, that he is a great striker himself, and his heart cannot be questioned. But one area where Ortega has a siginficant advantage is his ground game. Also, T-City always returns with revitalized, and performs best when coming back from a loss. Owing to all this, we favor Brian Ortega to win this fight.
Odds- Brian Ortega (-165, Favorite) vs. #3 Yair Rodriguez (+140, Underdog)
Michelle Waterson vs Amanda Lemos
A veteran of the sport, Michelle Waterson is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the strawweight division of the UFC. She is the former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. Between 2013 and 2014, she was ranked the No. 1 women’s atomweight fighter in the world. She is currently ranked 10th in the strawweight division.
Amanda Oliveira de Lemos is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of April 25, 2022, she is #11 in the UFC women’s strawweight rankings.
Our Prediction- We believe that Waterson’s experience, particularly inside the UFC octagon will play a huge role in this fight. If she can maintain her composure, and treat this fight like a marathon instead of a sprint, Waterson can pull off a much needed victory.
Odds -#10 Michelle Waterson (+275, Underdog) vs. #11 Amanda Lemos (-330,Favorite), women’s strawweight
Li Jingliang vs Muslim Salikhov
Li Jingliang is a Chinese mixed martial artist who competes as a welterweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of June 27, 2022, he is #14 in the UFC welterweight rankings.
Muslim Salikhov , is a Russian mixed martial artist and Sanda fighter who currently competes in welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A multiple time Wushu Sanda world champion, Salikhov occupies a place alongside Hossein Ojaghi as one of only two non-Chinese athletes to have won the Wushu Sanda King’s Cup.
Our Prediction – This fight has ‘Barn-Burner’ written in Bold all across. Salikhov is one of the most accomplished kickboxers in the UFC, period. He has 199 fights in kickboxing, and has won 185 victories. This can be the perfect coming out party for Salikhov, who will be looking forward to break into the top 10, and make a mark in the talent stacked welterweight division.
Odds – 14 Li Jingliang (+145, Underdog) vs. Muslim Salikov (-170, Favorite), welterweight
Other Odds
Flyweight- Matt Schnell +210 vs Su Mudaerji -250
Featherweight- Shane Burgos -190 vs Charles Jourdain +160
Women’s Flyweight- Miesha Tate -170 vs Lauren Murphy +145
Bantamweight- Ricky Simon +135 vs Jack Shore -155
Middleweight- Punahele Soriano -260 vs Dalcha Lungiambula +220
Featherweight- Bill Algeo (NA) vs Billy Quarantillo (NA)
Light Heavyweight- Dustin Jacoby -140 vs Da-un Jung +120
Middleweight- Dwight Grant -155 vs Dustin Stoltzfus +135
Women’s Strawweight- Jessica Penne +120 vs Emily Ducote -140
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