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One of the most jam-packed weekends of combat sport this year had us locked in with Bellator, UFC and boxing covering three consecutive nights of action. Let’s take a look back at the major Hits and Misses.
Friday, Bellator 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi
• HIT: Sergio Pettis to win (+165) vs Kyoji Horiguchi
Before Bellator MMA bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis delivered one of the wildest knockouts this year he was being immensely dominated by a tough and savvy veteran fighter in Kyoji Horiguchi for three rounds. Horiguchi, who trains at the MMA super-team American Top Team, used unrhythmic footwork and timing on his striking combinations to skirt past danger and absolutely neutralize Pettis’ offense. Through three rounds, Pettis had landed just 12 total strikes, but after elite MMA head coach Duke Roufus told his fighter to break his opponent’s rhythm by generating some offense in any capacity, Pettis landed a perfectly timed spinning back fist to shut Horiguchi’s lights off and retain his title belt. What a fight and a nice little win for the bettors.
• HIT: Spike Carlyle to win (-150) vs. Dan Moret
This comeback fight of the year candidate between two men who’ve bounced around from different MMA organizations was a battle of will and grit. Moret was close to winning by submission after badly wobbling Carlyle, but the “Alpha Ginger’’ hung on for dear life and kept his unfinished streak intact by not only surviving Moret’s onslaught, but turning the tables severely and winning by rear-naked choke. It was an unbelievable fight and another solid win for bettors.
Saturday, UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Aldo
• HIT: Clay Guida to win (+150) vs. Leonardo Santos
Fighting at the twilight of his career or not, Clay Guida is one hell of a fighter and competitor. The longtime UFC vet who’s just a few days away from his 40th birthday was very badly hurt by Santos in the first two minutes of the fight. Santos, a fellow elder statesman, landed a stabbing teep kick to Guida’s midsection that crippled the static fighter and opened up the door for Santos to get himself out with multiple flurries of punches. Somehow Guida found a way to weather the category-five storm end the round on top. Guida smelled the blood in the water, immediately pounced on the fatigued Santos and sank in a rear-naked choke. The craziest part of all is that Santos is a multiple-time world Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion, and Guida hasn’t submitted someone since 2011. Wow!
• MISS: Jose Aldo to win (+105) vs. Rob Font
Another notch in the long belt of former UFC and WEC featherweight champions, Jose Aldo put respect back on his name with the surprising five-round beatdown of a talented and younger Rob Font. The New England native, Font, came out firing with a march-‘em-down type of game plan to put Aldo on his backfoot in hopes it would reduce his power and kill his gas tank, but Aldo quickly adjusted when he landed a huge one-two combination to put Font on his butt and regain the center of the cage. Font was furiously told in between rounds by his cornermen to still push forward regardless, but that strategy would end up being the reason for a slow death as Aldo landed consistent damaging knockdowns to Font and then dominated the fight on the floor. Aldo fought one of his best fights and went the full 25 minutes for the first time since 2016 (UFC 200). Aldo is once again knocking on the door of a title fight and would cement himself as one of the elite Mixed Martial Artists in history if he were to win the title belt again.
• MISS: Chris Curtis to win (+260) vs. Brendan Allen
The “Action Man” Chris Curtis is living up to his name as he has earned back-to-back knockouts in just four weeks as a UFC fighter. Curtis was under the radar for his entire career, racking up wins and learning from his losses against elite competition. Finally, after 12 years and 34 professional fights, he got the call to the UFC and has taken full advantage of his opportunity, quickly becoming a fan favorite because of his knockout-heavy style and because of his warm personality. Curtis used his beautiful boxing technique to spin Allen down a path of destruction with huge hooks to the body and head followed by a barrage of knees to put away the Aussie. With the victory, Curtis brought his win streak up to seven, and somehow, six of those have come in 2021. It was a great performance and I can’t wait to see what’s next for the “Action Man.”
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Sunday, Gervonta Davis vs. Isaac Cruz
• HIT: Gervonta Davis to win (-1667) vs. Isaac Cruz
Though the talented Davis battled through some adversity with a hurt hand and Cruz’s warrior spirit, he was able to use his slick footwork and fight IQ to cruise to a unanimous decision victory. Still undefeated and climbing the ranks of being a pay-per-view draw, “Tank” Davis is on track for box office fights in the near future. The division is ripe with contenders and name value for Davis’ pickings.
• HIT: Fight to Go The Distance +400 YES -700 NO
Though I did not put out an article for this fight, I did however tweet my favorite bet pre-fight about Cruz’s intangibles being the biggest reason this fight makes it to the final bell. Hope you took full advantage… It was a growing experience for both men and I would not be surprised if they meet again down the road. This fight was fantastic and a great cap to the weekend.
+550#DavisCruz #TankCruz #Gervonta
— Ike Talks Fights (@IkeFeldman) December 6, 2021
I know Cruz is taking the fight on short-notice, but never count out that Mexican warrior blood to at least make it to a decision. pic.twitter.com/VIIHagHBQp
No off-week in the world of combat sports coming up, as we get a full slate of fights with the spectacular UFC 269 card along with Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Richard Commey. Stay locked right here for all your combat sports coverage.
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