Oh boy, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is rolling out the middleweights this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It’s not the biggest night for stakes, but hey, expect some shuffling at 185 pounds when the dust settles. And maybe, just maybe, a few contenders will poke their heads out. So, let’s dive into the UFC Fight Night 236 edition of Prime Picks, shall we? We’ve got a couple of middleweights to eyeball, a co-main event that promises fireworks, and a two-for-one deal that looks like a safe bet.
Now, onto Jack Hermansson (+205). This guy’s got a toolkit that could very well sift through the middleweight division’s contenders and pretenders. He’s been hovering around the Top 10 with his slightly above-average power and a knack for keeping the pace high. Plus, his wrestling’s not too shabby. But, and it’s a big but, “The Joker” has shown he can be caught off-guard. Bigger fights seem to be his kryptonite. Think of him as the 2024 version of Brad Tavares – skilled but just shy of contender status. Still, as a sizeable underdog, putting your chips on Hermansson might just be worth it.
Joseph Pyfer, on the flip side, is a force to be reckoned with. The guy’s last outing had him showcasing his submission skills by putting Abdul Razak Alhassan to sleep with an arm-triangle choke. Before that, it was all about his timing and power. Pyfer, younger and likely quicker than Hermansson, still faces a challenge. Hermansson’s not one to rely on speed, except when he’s hunting for submissions. If Pyfer can get his hands on Hermansson early, he could justify his -260 favorite status.
But here’s the thing – Hermansson’s known to push hard late into fights. Pyfer? He’s only hit the third round once. As the clock ticks, bettors might start leaning more towards the Swede. If Hermansson can weather the early storm and make Pyfer work, he could tire out the “trending superstar.”
Dan Ige (-180) is up next. The blueprint to beat this Hawaiian bruiser seems straightforward – get him on his back and keep him there. His last two losses saw him grounded a whopping 14 times. Andre Fili, stepping in on short notice, might not have the same game plan. He’s got a reach and height advantage that could serve him well if he keeps his distance. But let’s be real, both these featherweights would rather stand and trade blows. It’s going to be a brawl, and Ige’s durability might just see him through.
Rodolfo Vieira (-120) and Armen Petrosyan are set for a rematch of sorts. Their first scheduled fight fell through, but here we are again with Vieira slightly more favored this time. On paper, Vieira has the edge, especially if the fight hits the mat. Petrosyan’s best bet? Keep it standing and make Vieira work for every takedown attempt.
Lastly, we’ve got a double play. Konklak Suphisara vs. Bruna Brasil and Devin Clark vs. Marcin Prachnio are both expected to last over 1.5 rounds. Suphisara’s fights usually go the distance, and while Brasil might not pose a submission threat, she doesn’t pack the power to end fights early either. As for Clark and Prachnio, despite their stats, their recent performances suggest this one might take a while to heat up. Prachnio’s not known for quick finishes, and Clark’s durability could see him through the early rounds.
So, there you have it. A night of matchups that could go any which way, but with a little insight and a dash of luck, your bets might just pay off.