Will Alex Pereira Cement His Legacy with UFC 300 victory over Jamahal Hill?

April 10, 2024

1 month

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Saving money to be able to bet on the UFC 300 main event will be a challenge this weekend. The top American MMA promotion has always tried to make its milestone cards stacked with top talent. There won’t be much time to get up and get more snacks during UFC 300.

But the main event should be where this card shines. Alex Pereira has made major waves since coming over to MMA from kickboxing a few years ago. Pereira is the current light heavyweight champion but also held the middleweight belt. Pereira is a frightening striker who makes full use of his 6-foot-4 frame.

Waiting for Periera in the octagon will be former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill. Hill had to vacate the championship belt last year after he suffered an injury while playing basketball during International Fight Week. The MMA latest updates show that Hill is also a proficient striker who will be more than a game challenger.

Hill made UFC history when he became the first Dana White Contenders’ Series alum to hold a championship. But Hill has spent a lot of time away from the octagon. Pereira loves to utilize brutal leg kicks to slow down Hill’s movement.

This fight could go either way, but Pereira should get the job done and defend his championship belt.

Bets to consider: Pereira ML, Pereira by KO, Over 1.5 rounds

All-Chinese Co-Main Event Will Highlight Top Female Fighters

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Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan will have a lot on their plates Saturday night. Yes, the winner of Weili and Xiaonan will take home the strawweight championship belt, but there is plenty else at stake. This fight will be the first-ever UFC championship contest between two Chinese fighters.

MMAfighting latest news shows that Weili has been a proficient finisher throughout her career. Weili has eight submission victories and 11 knockouts in her career. During Weili’s UFC career, she has had victories over many of the other top fighters of her generation.

Xiaonan’s resume isn’t nearly as impressive. Before Xiaonan shocked the world by knocking out former champion Jessica Andrade at UFC 288 last May, she had lost two or her previous three fights. Xiaonan is a striking specialist with little experience on the ground.

While this fight will be a historical one, it’s hard to see Xiaonan being a serious challenger to the more dynamic and battle-tested Weili. Weili by submission, is a +500 flier that may be worth taking.

Bets to consider: Weili by submission, Weili by decision

Holloway-Gaethje Set to Settle BMF Belt

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Whether or not the mythical BMF title belt was up for stake in a fight, the matchup between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje would be exciting. Holloway, the former featherweight champion, has been through many wars with the top fighters in UFC history.

Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion, is eager to pick up another big win to climb closer to getting one last title shot with Islam Makhachev. Holloway has never been knocked out in his MMA career, which spanned 32 fights across various promotions. Gaethje also enjoys being involved in wild fights.

Gaethje is 25-4 and has won 20 bouts by knockout. He is vulnerable to being finished against top-level opponents. However, it is unlikely that Holloway will want to grapple with Gaethje.

Bets to consider: Over 4.5 rounds, Holloway by decision.

Tsarukyan Looks to Stake Claim to Title Shot

Charles Oliveira had one of the most successful career renaissances in the promotion’s history. Oliveira fell to 22-8 after he lost to Paul Felder at UFC 218 in December 2018. When Oliveira returned, he won 11 straight wins and grabbed the lightweight championship.

After losing the championship to Makhachev, Oliveira bounced back with a thrilling first-round knockout of Beneil Dariush last June, allowing him to set the promotion’s record for most finishes. Now, Oliveira will take on one of the division’s rising stars, Arman Tsarukyan.

Tsarukyan has won three straight fights, according to MMA news sites. He is a dynamic, well-rounded fighter who is eager to get another chance to fight Makhachev. Tsarukyan lost to Makhachev in his UFC debut.

This will be a fun fight that will see Tsarukyan score a narrow decision over the veteran.

Bets to consider: Tsarukyan by decision, over 1.5 rounds

Former Champion Tries to Stay in Picture

Jiří Procházka was forced to vacate the light heavyweight championship following an injury. During Procházka’s return fight last year, he returned to face Pereira and suffered a tough knockout. But Procházka wanted to get back on the horse quickly.

Now, the former champion will take on a dangerous, No. 5 ranked contender in Aleksandar Rakić. Rakić is returning after nearly two years away from the octagon. In his last fight against former champion Jan Błachowicz, he suffered a knee injury. Before his injury, Rakić was developing into one of the top knockout artists in the division.

Bets to consider: Procházka ML, Under 2.5 rounds

Aljo Goes Up in Weight Class

Aljamain Sterling didn’t want to wait and try to get another chance to fight Sean O’Malley and regain his title. Instead, Sterling decided to go up in weight and challenge Calvin Kattar. It’s an interesting matchup.

Sterling is a better grappler, but Kattar is a better striker. Lean toward the former champion to grind out a decision.

Bets to consider: Sterling by Decision, Over 2.5 rounds

Here are some quick picks for the rest of the fights on what should be an explosive card: