Rodolfo Vieira vs Saparbek Safarov prediction - bettingexpert
UFC 248 – Rodolfo Vieira vs Saparbek Safarov prediction
Closing out the preliminary card of UFC 248, undefeated submission specialist Rodolfo Vieira takes on Saparbek Safarov. This is a 205-pound fight. UFC 248 takes place on March 8th in the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. This preview contains predictions and betting tips for the Vieira vs Safarov fight
Rodolfo Vieira
“The Black Belt Hunter” Rodolfo Vieira (6-0) takes on Dagestani Saparbek Safarov in the final fight of the preliminary card of UFC 248. Vieira is a submission specialist with 5 wins coming by way of submission and only one win coming by TKO. His fight with Saparbek will be his second fight in the UFC.
Let’s take a look at some data. In his last UFC fight, he landed 18 significant strikes and three takedowns until he managed to submit his opponent in the second round.
There are many aspects of Vieira’s MMA game that is untested. He spends the majority of his fight time on the ground where he does what he can to submit his opponent. In his first and only UFC fight, he landed 1.91 significant strikes per minute and a takedown accuracy of 42% Furthermore, he averaged 4.77 takedowns and 1.6 submissions per 15 minutes.
There’s no denying Vieira’s jiu-Jitsu credentials, but does he have the overall MMA skills to make it in the UFC?
Saparbek Safarov
Dagestani wrestler Saparbek Safarov (9-2) is also fairly new in the UFC. He has a not-so-shiny record of 1-2 in his three bouts for the organization. In his last fight, he managed to win a unanimous decision.
Safarov has a takedown defense of 100%, perhaps serving him well in his fight with a submission specialist. He also lands 4.29 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.10. Finally, he has a takedown average of 2.80.
Safarov actually has decent striking in spite of the outcome of his first two UFC fights. He throws precise and hard hooks going backward and has great overall striking.
Who wins?
Of course, our answer to this question will always be influenced by a little thing called betting value. At the moment, Safarov is a 6.00 underdog with bookmakers, which is really good betting value. Rodolfo has only had one fight in the UFC and has never fought a wrestler with takedown defense. “The Black Belt Hunter” will perhaps find himself being forced to stand and strike with an opponent for the first time in his career and his striking doesn’t look promising. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t throw many strikes at all, judging by his last few performances. Picking Saparbek at odds 6.00 is a hell of a lot of betting value for a guy fighting, dare we say, a one-trick pony, with only one fight in the UFC, and five fights in smaller promotions.
bettingexpert prediction: Saparbek Safarov def. Rodolfo Vieira via unanimous decision.
