UFC 198 may not get the world-wide media attention that a Connor McGregor card draws, but make no mistake about it…the power-packed UFC 198 card has the chance to be one of the most entertaining UFC cards in recent memory. You see, you’re going to have a trio of excellent chances to cash in on Saturday night when the Spider, Vitor and Werdum all take to the octagon for their respective UFC 198 fights. Now, let’s get down to the business of picking the best UFC betting lines winners.
#UFC198 is only THREE days away!!!
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x pic.twitter.com/nSdjvZKouc— #UFC198 (@ufc) May 12, 2016
UFC 198 Main Card Odds Preview and Predictions
Anderson Silva vs Uriah Hall
UFC 198 OddsAnderson Silva -130, Uriah Hall Even
Analysis: 41-year-old Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva (33-7-1) enters this fight coming off a heartbreaking unanimous decision loss against Michael Bisping in the headline bout of a UFC Fight Night card in February. Silva has won 20 bouts via KO (67.0 %) knockout with six wins coming by way of submission and another seven via decision. Unfortunately, Silva has split his last six fights due to advancing age and a forced one-year absence because of a failed drug test. Silva averages 3.19 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 63.9 percent while also averaging 0.59 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 77.7
31-year-old Uriah Hall (13-6) will look to get back in the win column after suffering a unanimous decision loss against Robert Whittaker at UFC 193 in November. Hall has shown plenty of punching power in winning 77 percent of his fights by knockout. Unfortunately, Hall has gone just 2-2 over his last four bouts. Hall averages 3.18 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 53 percent while also averaging 1.15 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 41.1 percent.
Fight Analysis: Uriah Hall may be the younger fighter in this pairing, but for me, he’s certainly not the better MMA fighter. Hall has been inconsistent throughout his career ad will face an Anderson Silva that is semi-desperate to put his name back into the mix of legitimate title contenders after ruling the middleweight division for almost a decade. Five of Hall’s six career losses have come by way of decision and I believe that’s exactly what’s going to happen in this bout as Silva uses his vast array of skills to overwhelm and then subdue the lesser experienced Uriah Hall.
I know Anderson Silva isn’t the same elite fighter that he once was, but lest anyone forget, this guy was the best fighter on the planet for years and possesses a myriad skill set that few fighters of any age can match. Silva wins in front of his hometown fans via unanimous decision, if not via submission.
The Pick: Anderson Silva via unanimous decision
Ronaldo Souza vs. Vitor Belfort
UFC 198 Odds: Ronaldo Souza -305, Vitor Belfort +235
Analysis: 36-year-old Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza (22-4) had his eight-fight winning streak snapped in his split-decision loss against Yoel Romero at UFC 194 in December. Souza averages 2.19 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 43.4 percent while also averaging 3.49 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 45 percent. Souza has recorded 16 of his 22 career wins via submission and ruled the Strikeforce middleweight division for years before joining the UFC in 2013. This bout marks Souza’s 10th time fighting in his home country of Brazil.
Vitor Belfort (25-11) may be 39-years-old, but he sure didn’t look like it in his last bout! The veteran won Fight of the Night honors for his thrilling KO (head kick and punches) over Dan Henderson as the headline bout of a UFC Fight Night event in November. The win was Belfort’s second over Henderson and helped him boost his KO percentage to an impressive 72.0 percent (18 KO wins). Belfort has won six of his last eight fights and has only lost to elite fighters Chris Weidman and Jon ‘Bones’ Jones going all the way back to 2011. Belfort averages 1.58 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 47.7 percent while also averaging 1.23 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 60 percent. So what, he’s been linked to more than one failed drug test in his career, Belfort still finds ways to win!
Fight Analysis: The bottom line for me is that Vitor Belfort just doesn’t lose to anyone that’s not an elite fighter. Belfort has the huge edge in striking power and the ‘home octagon’ edge as he makes his seventh fight in his home country of Brazil. Souza is the bigger and younger fighter in this matchup, but I’m going with the veteran for the ‘upset’ win and big payday!
The Pick: Vitor Belfort via third round KO (punches)
Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic
UFC 198 Odds Fabricio Werdum -160, Stipe Miocic +130
Analysis: 38-year-old heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum (20-5-1) has won six straight fights and enters this title bout coming off a thrilling third round submission (guillotine choke) win over Cain Velasquez at UFC 188 in June. Werdum has recorded half of his 20 career wins via submission while also recording six KO wins. Werdum averages 3.29 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 50.8 percent while also averaging 1.8 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 32.5 percent. In his last half-dozen bouts, Werdum has won four via stoppage. Werdum hasn’t lost a fight in nearly five years and will make his fifth appearance in front of his home fans in Brazil.
33-year-old Stipe Miocic (14-2) has won two straight fights and five of his last six overall, including his stunning first round TKO (punches) win over Andrei Arlovski at UFC 195 in January. Miocic has won a whopping 71 percent of his fights by way of knockout and averages 4.87 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 49.6 percent. Miocic is also averaging 2.14 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 34 percent.
Fight Analysis: While there’s no doubt that Stipe Miocic is very talented and has a ton of potential despite being 33-years-olsd, I’ve got to go with the champ, Fabricio Werdum to retain his title. While there’s no doubt that Miocic has one-punch knockout power and could walk away the winner if he catches the champion with a flush shot, I believe the more likely scenario is that Fabricio Werdum uses his big edge in experience and versatility to beat his lesser experienced challenger.
Fabricio Werdum is an excellent stand-up striker, but he can also finish off opponents when he takes them down to the ground. I’m expecting Werdum to do just that before finishing off Stipe in the third round via submission!
The Pick: Fabricio Werdum via third round submission (guillotine choke)
