The Ultimate Fighting Championship is heading to Sao Paulo for the first time in nearly four years. The strategized fight card includes 13 Brazilians against foreign opponents, with a strong chance for Brazil to win across the board. Four competitors are tipped as heavy betters’ favorites, with betting lines at -500 or above. This version of Prime Picks focuses on one of those favorite bets and anticipates victories for three other selections from the home country.
Jailton Almeida wins by submission, with a -125 bet value. Derrick Lewis, another contender seeking victory by knockout, has a range of +400 to +450, making him a fighter to watch. Age 38, Lewis is known for his ferocity in proving Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s dominance by disposing of grapplers easily. A short-notice pairing introduces the potential for a heated fight between Almeida and Lewis. Almeida, an experienced 32-year-old fighter from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, is a -500 favorite bringing an interesting proposition for those looking to bet.
Rodrigo Nascimento, also from Brazil, is another fighter to watch. Nascimento and Don’Tale Mayes will have a rematch, three years after their first fight. The Brazilian performed well in the fight until Maye fell to the mat, hinting to the outcome of the rematch. With only four fights between them since their first encounter, expectations are that the second meeting won’t vary from the first. So, it’s not surprising that Nascimento is under -200 as a pick for bettors.
Similarly, Rodolfo Vieira is another promising bet at -115. Even with Armen Petrosyan slightly favored, Vieira is the better choice, especially when he competes on the feet. Underdog or not, picking Vieira is not a waste against a fighter susceptible to grappling. On another front, Denise Gomes is a favored pick at -125. No matter how thrilling Angela Hill’s two UFC stints have been, at age 38, it’s challenging to see her winning against someone 15 years younger. So it’s no wonder that Gomes is a favorite, even if she lost recently. But with youth and speed on her side, Gomes provides a significant advantage in the bout.