Lightweight bout: Efrain Escudero vs. Charles Oliveira
Odds: (-175 Escudero /+145 Oliveira )
Betting Pick: Charles Oliveira
In the third featured Lightweight bout, Ultimate Fighter Season 8 winner Efrain Escudero faces off with tough challenger Charles Oliveira. Escudero represents a huge step up for Oliveira, but Oliveira has a very good submission game, and Even Dunham proved that Escudero still has holes in his submission defense, so this is a dangerous fight for Escudero.
Oliveira, who looked extremely impressive submitting Darren Elkins in the first minute of his UFC debut, has a very slick submission game and some fairly formidable striking to go with it. While he has mainly fought lesser competition, he has put together an impressive undefeated record and has rarely seen his fights go the distance. The biggest question mark is how well he will handle the next step up in competition, but he certainly has the talent to succeed at this level.
Escudero, who defeated Philippe Nover to win the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter, has a very good ground game of his own, although his submission defense is somewhat questionable. He does not have very powerful striking either, and stands a good chance of getting worked over on the feet against the quicker and crisper Oliveira.
Even though Escudero is the bigger name, he is really not more experienced than Oliveira, and I think that Oliveira is the technically superior fighter. Both guys have dangerous submission games, but I think Oliveira’s is better, and Oliveira definitely has the more dangerous striking. I think he will eventually catch Escudero, drop him, and submit him.
Prediction: Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira via second round rear naked choke.
- Bet on the UnderDog Oliveira @ +145 for the Win.
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