UFC 213: Nunes v Shevchenko 2

UFC 213 Preview & Tips

When a UFC event is held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas you know that it is a big deal and UFC 213 is no exception. With International Fight Week in town the UFC have gone all out with a fantastic card. The rematch between Nunes and Shevcheko was supposed to be the headline act but the fight has been cancelled with Nunes withdrawing from the fight despite being cleared by medical staff. It has caused an uproar from fans and means Whittaker and Romero is now the main event. An Aussie contends for a UFC title for the first time and as the main draw-card the pressure is now even bigger! The Wolf shares his thoughts with us.

Yoel Romero v Robert WhittakerThis is a history making fight for Australia! Robert Whittaker will become the first Aussie to contend for a UFC belt but The Wolf says we have to think with our heads in this one. Romero won Olympic silver in Sydney and has gone on to have an incredible professional career. He has just the one loss in the UFC and is on a 8 fight win streak. Wins over Machida, Jacare and Weidman have affirmed his position as the number one contender for the interim title made available due to the injury sustained by Bisping. Likewise, Whittaker has also earned his stripes after dropping down from the welterweight division. He is undefeated as a middleweight in the UFC and in what is almost a rarity these days he brings a karate/Muay Thai background to the table. He has a unique striking style and amazing timing but The Wolf cannot look past the strength of Romero. He has passed bigger tests and Wolfy can only see him losing on the back of fatigue. Whittaker will look to contain him for the opening two rounds before finishing strong but Romero fights simply do not go to the judges scorecards. It would be nice to see Whittaker claim UFC gold but The Wolf says Romero will be too strong.

Best: Romero WIN ($2.00)
Value: Under 1.5 round ($2.50)

Alistair Overeem v Fabricio WerdumThe history between these two men spans well over a decade. Werdum wants to contend for the title that he lost to Miocic a year ago but he will have to overcome some demons to do so. He beat Overeem back in 2006 in Pride but the Dutch former kickboxer got his revenge at Strikeforce 5 years later. Since then both men have had incredible UFC careers. Werdum posted wins over Nelson, Nogueira and Hunt before claiming the UFC Heavyweight Championship when he choked Velasquez with a guillotine. He lost the title in his first defence to Miocic and coincidentally, Overeem’s last loss also came at the hands of the current champion. Overeem doesn’t want this fight to go to the ground! He will look to use his kicks and stand up superiority but The Wolf says Werdum can take him out of his comfort zone. He says the Brazilian is the hungrier of the two fighters and says Overeem will leave himself exposed to a takedown by using excessive kicks. Once he takes him to the ground it is all over. Look for the Brazilian to stop this one using an armbar.

Best: Werdum WIN ($2.05)
Value: Werdum BY Submission ($6.50)

Jim Miller v Anthony PettisPettis will be looking to save his UFC career following losses in 4 of his last 5 fights. In his defence he has lost to Holloway, Barboza, Alvarez and dos Anjos but as we have seen lately, losing starts to play on your mind. Miller is a throwback, a man that has been in the UFC for the better part of a decade and you will be hard pressed to find anyone with a career as long as his in the sport. There is no doubt that it will be an entertaining fight especially with Pettis returning to the wight which saw him claim UFC gold. 145lbs was clearly too much for him but a return to lightweight will see him back in the winner’s circle. He will remain relevant in the UFC for years to come.
Best: Pettis WIN ($1.40)

Amanda Nunes v Valentina Shevchenko (cancelled)The Wolf is shocked to see Shevchenko installed as favourite! Nunes was a dominant winner when they met a little over a year ago and has since gone on to post two of the most devastating wins we have ever seen in the women’s division. She dethroned Mischa Tate to claim the Bantamweight Championship thanks to a rear-naked choke before ending the career of Ronda Rousey in what was 48 seconds of complete annihilation. Meanwhile, Shevchenko was less than convincing in her win over Holm and Julianna Pena is not in the league of Nunes. Shevchenko will look to ensure this one is a battle of punches but she will not be able to prevent Nunes from taking her to the ground. There are questions over the fitness of Nunes but The Wolf says this one will not be going beyond three rounds. Nunes will attack from the word go and that is bad news for Shevchenko.

Best: Nunes WIN ($2.00)
Value: Nunes Wins in Round 1 ($6.00)