UFC Middleweight Title Bout: Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort
Odds: ( – 500 Weidman / + 340 Belfort)
Betting Pick: Weidman
Fantasy MMA Betting at Draft Kings
In the semi-main event of UFC 187, UFC Middleweight champion Chris “All-American” Weidman will defend his belt against UFC legend Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort. So far, Weidman has been dominant, climbing all the way to the top of the 185 pound division while maintaining an undefeated record. He represents the new breed of well-rounded Mixed Martial Artist, equally capable of outstriking striking and beating grapplers at their own game. His two dominant wins over future Hall of Famer Anderson Silva cemented Weidman as the greatest Middleweight in the world. Now, Vitor Belfort will try to topple him with his unique blend of blazing hand speed and devastating knockout power.
Put simply, this is going to be a tough fight for Belfort. He is undeniably one of the most prolific strikers that the UFC has ever seen, but his overall game is nowhere near Weidman’s level. A guy like Belfort has a puncher’s chance against anyone, but Weidman has already shown in his fights against Silva that he has what it takes to handle world-class strikers and even beat them at their own games.
The difference in this fight is going to be Weidman’s ground game. It’s entirely possible that Weidman can handle Belfort on the feet, but if he finds himself in trouble, he has a world-class jiu-jitsu game to fall back on and very solid wrestling to force the fight to the ground. Belfort doesn’t have the same luxury. His wrestling is not good enough to control Weidman and, on the ground, he’d be at a disadvantage even from top position. Belfort is a dangerous fighter and has a puncher’s chance against anyone, but I think Weidman just has too many tools in his belt. Weidman by T/KO, round 4.
Prediction: Chris Weidman by 4th round T/KO.
