This weekend’s Pay Per-View card comes out of the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, with two titles on the line. In the main event, Francis Ngannou takes on former training partner and undefeated challenger Ciryl Gane, while in the co-main it is a trilogy fight between Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo for the Flyweight strap.
Also on the card is excitement machine Michel Pereira, jiu jitsu phenom Rodolfo Viera and top undefeated prospect Ilia Topuria. We take a look at the two title fights and one other on the main card in this week’s preview. I have also added a four leg ‘mega multi’ to cheer on the undercard.
UFC 270 Betting Tips
Francis Ngannou vs Cyril Gane
The line movement from a betting perspective I believe is crazy. Personally, I would have Ngannou as the slight favourite despite admittedly having some doubts about the current champ coming into this fight. Despite Ngannou potentially looking to move into the boxing ring he is now clear value in my books here.
Cyril Gane is almost like an early career Jon Jones. The potential is there for all to see and he is a naturally gifted athlete. Ngannou of a few years ago would be picked to shreds by Gane but the patient and explosive Ngannou will only need to hit Gane with one bomb to win this fight. I am seeing heaps of chatter around that Gane will dominate Ngannou on the mat. I don’t see that likely unless Ngannou blows his gas tank like he did in his first fight with former champion Stipe Miocic. While I believe Gane will be the champion very soon, I believe he is not yet a complete enough fighter to not get caught by an Ngannou killer punch just yet.
Brandon Moreno vs Deiveson Figueiredo
Brandon Moreno was one of the best feel good stories of 2021 and I have always been a massive fan of the Mexican. In their last fight Deiveson Figueiredo was the worst I have ever seen him and therefore I am going to disregard that performance when assessing this fight. There was plenty of chatter about the Brazilian having a horror weight cut and I think that is a real possibility, especially considering I find staggering that he can ever make the Flyweight limit. I am going to speculate that Figueiredo is either able to knock out Moreno or do enough damage to edge a decision victory in the trilogy. While Moreno is ever improving and an all-round star, I still don’t think his stand up is quite polished enough to deal with a refreshed and hungry Figueireido.
Figueiredo by KO/Decision
$2.70
Michel Pereira vs Andre Fialho
Michel Pereira has always been a raw talent. He has everything needed to succeed, but in his early career had a tendency to be too reckless in an attempt to just be entertaining, leading him to gas out. In his last fight I saw a Pereira I have never seen before. He was patient and clinical and while he didn’t finish Niko Price, he made a tough opponent look rather easy. He meets UFC newcomer Andre Fialho here and I am not sold on him when I watched his tape. The Portuguese fighter has finished his last three fights in UAE Warriors by first round KO but he hasn’t ever fought anyone half the calibre of Pereira. Pereira is better everywhere and I can’t see him not getting the finish.
Pereira by KO/Submission
$2.70
Undercard Mega Multi
Kay Hansen + Tony Gravely + Silvana Gomez Juarez + Matt Frevola
Kay Hansen absolutely destroys Jasmine Jasudavicius as soon as the fight hits the mat so bank on her. Tony Gravely should also dominate on the mat and although he is unlikely to finish the tough Oliveira, he should secure an easy decision victory. Juarez will look to ride out a tough couple of minutes to pick apart the disappointing Demopolous, who cannot wrestle to save her life, a critical flaw that will be exposed once more. To round out the mega multi, Matt Frevola should secure takedowns at will on route to a comfortable victory from top control.
