Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot: Clash of Titans in Rio de Janeiro
UFC lightweight ex-champion Charles Oliveira will face ranked contender Mateusz Gamrot in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Rio de Janeiro. The fight is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. Oliveira, with a record of 35-11 and 1 NC, seeks to recover after his defeat in June against Ilia Topuria by knockout in the first round. The Brazilian, who has never lost in five previous UFC fights in his country, is ranked number 3 in the lightweight rankings. Gamrot, ranked number 9, comes with a record of four wins in his last five fights, including a unanimous decision over Ludovit Klein in May.
Oliveira is a great opponent for Gamrot. With Gamrot’s pace and grappling skills, this is a good matchup for him, because I don’t think he’s going to be submitted. So he can impose his will, wrestle, stay out of trouble, and wear down Oliveira for a decision.
Din Thomas
Betting analysis Parker: Gamrot to win (-105) By stepping in on short notice, Gamrot is getting a career-altering opportunity against Oliveira in a Fight Night main event. Gamrot has the wrestling and pace to suffocate and frustrate Oliveira, if he can get the fight to the ground early and often. Standing, Oliveira is the better striker and has knockout power, but coming off a KO loss in June, I’m not sure his chin can take much more. Oliveira is a submission ace, but he doesn’t usually get submissions from his back, and that’s where I expect this fight to be for the most part. I’m taking Gamrot to pull off an upset. Parker’s best bets on the rest of the card Men’s bantamweight: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Montel Jackson Jackson to win (-300): If Jackson can pull off a win in Brazil over former UFC flyweight champion Figueiredo, this could be his coming-out party. Figueiredo is coming off a loss to Cory Sandhagen, during which he suffered a knee injury, so a fight against a hungry young Jackson may not be the friendliest matchup for him in his return. Look for Jackson to outstrike and use his speed to take Figueiredo out. Heavyweight: Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto Diniz to win (-130): Unless Pinto can take Diniz down immediately and submit him or keep him on the ground for 15 minutes, it’s difficult to imagine he can beat Diniz in a striking battle. Diniz is not only the better striker, but he has fought top-level competition and won’t be surprised when his opponent tries to take him down early. Look for Diniz to defend takedowns early and keep the fight standing en route to his fourth UFC victory. Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs. Joel Álvarez Álvarez by KO/TKO: Álvarez will jump to the 170-pound division, and what an addition he could be. Álvarez is a complete fighter and an incredible striker with KO power. He faces the experienced veteran Luque in what should be a fun fight, for as long as it lasts. Luque will try to take Álvarez down, but I don’t see him having much success, forcing him to stand and trade blows in the hope of outlasting Álvarez. Ultimately, I believe Álvarez’s pressure and power will be too much for Luque, and Álvarez will get the early finish.I know comparing common opponents doesn’t always work, but Gamrot beat Arman Tsarukyan and Oliveira lost to Tsarukyan, who is the better fighter. Oliveira has never been a guy to stop all takedowns, and Gamrot has great counter-grappling. Gamrot is able to wrestle and stay out of trouble. If he couldn’t take Oliveira down, this would be a different story, because I think Gamrot would lose standing. But Oliveira won’t be able to stop Gamrot’s wrestling, and Gamrot will stay away from submission attempts and just outwrestle Oliveira.
Anthony Smith
