SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 263 GAMBLING GUIDE

What a weekend of sport! The Euros finally get underway and the UFC has gifted us yet another exceptional line up of potential scraps. Let us dive straight in and take a look at the full UFC 263 card.

Main Card (BT Sport)
Israel Adesanya (c) vs. Marvin Vettori (Middleweight)
Since losing to Adesanya in 2018 (via split decision), Vettori has gone five fights undefeated in the UFC, earning himself a rematch against the middleweight champ. So how will this one go down? We expect casual fans to judge Adesanya on his previous performance (a step up to LHW which saw him challenge for the belt but fall short against Jan Blachowicz) but back at his natural weight, we should see a revitalized Last Stylebender. Vettori has shown us he is happy to throwdown, has cardio in the tank, and has much improved wrestling. Be sure to take a look at our wild card bet, but our official pick for this one is a stoppage in the later rounds for Adesanya.
WINNER:Adesanya
METHOD: KO/TKO

Deiveson Figueiredo (c) vs. Brandon Moreno (Flyweight)
So what will be the main difference in this rematch? We expect the fact that Figueiredo won’t be in hospital with alleged food poisoning the night before to play a significant role for sure! The Brazilian probably won’t take out his rival but a different game plan could result in an early submission. It certainly won’t be another draw (that means if you have some spare money in the pot – stick it on a draw).
WINNER:Figueirdo
METHOD: Submission

Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz (Welterweight)
Looking at the stats and where both fighters are in their careers right now, sorry Diaz fans, but we can’t see how Nate wins this one. The former TUF star will no doubt attempt to turn this into a trademark brawl, but we expect the more cautious Edwards to take his time, pick his shots and walk away with a unanimous decision. As has been the case in his recent bouts, expect scar tissue to cause havoc and the younger Diaz brother to leave the Octagon in a bit of a red mess.
WINNER: Edwards
METHOD: Decision

Demian Maia vs. Belal Muhammad (Middleweight)
A real veteran of the sport but at 43, how much has Maia got left? We recently witnessed another legendary Brazilian grappler in Jacare take another step closer to retirement (surely he has to call it a day) and many are putting Maia in the same category…NOT US! We love it when an O.G defies the odds and there won’t be many people backing the former title contender as Belal Muhammad is the real deal, and will be keen to erase any memories of his last outing. Time will tell but we have faith in Maia laying and praying for 3 rounds to bring home the bacon.
WINNER: Maia
METHOD: Decision

Paul Craig vs. Jamahal Hill (Light Heavyweight)
Probably a lot closer than people think this one but former Dana White Contender Series star Jamahal Hill might have a little too much razzle dazzle for the Scottish native. You can never count out a Craig submission but it’s a Hill stoppage we are swaying towards in this one.
WINNER: Hill
METHOD: KO/TKO

Preliminary Card (BT Sport )
Drew Dober vs. Brad Riddell (Lightweight)
As a result of demolishing opponents during 2019-2020, Drew Dober was looking like a legit title challenger to the lightweight throne, but a match-up with wrestling powerhouse Islam Makhachev in March of this year, halted his impressive run. Dober will be keen to get back to winning ways and if he can take out seasoned veteran Brad Ridell (currently undefeated in his previous six MMA bouts), the UFC will sharp have him back in the spotlight.Ridell, team mate of Israel Adesanya, is built like a brick wall so this is a bold prediction on our part. The safe bet would be for this one to go the distance but as we often do, we’ll put our necks on the line.
WINNER:Dober
METHOD: KO/TKO

Eryk Anders vs. Darren Stewart (Light Heavyweight)
Following an illegal first round knee courtesy of Anders in their first meeting, both fighters get a chance to re run what should have been a very tasty scrap. A relatively tough one to call but Stewart should get the job done over 3 rounds. If not he’s probably getting stopped early doors.
WINNER: Stewart
METHOD: Decision

Lauren Murphy vs. Joanne Calderwood (Women's Flyweight)
It wasn’t that long ago we would have gone with Calderwood without hesitation. The Scottish fighter was once on her way to a title shot, but an inconsistent UFC career has meant said title shot is now out of bounds for the time being. Murphy, who herself knows all about records with more bumps than a supermarket car park, has turned the tables and at 37 years of age, is arguably the best she’s ever been. It’ll be some achievement if Murphy can go five fights undefeated but even more of an achievement when her name gets thrown in to the mix for a title shot.
WINNER: Murphy
METHOD: Decision

MovsarEvloev vs. Hakeem Dawodu (Featherweight)
Unbeaten in his last five UFC bouts, ‘Mean’ Dawodu faces an opponent unbeaten in his entire professional MMA career. Russian prospect MovsarEvloev, 27 has an impressive 14-0 to his name and is a decision winning machine. Dawodu is as tough as they come and this is arguably one the more intriguing bout on the cards for sure.
WINNER:Evloev
METHOD: Decision

Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
PannieKianzad vs. Alexis Davis (Women's Bantamweight)
Rising Swedish star PannieKianzad could go an impressive four fights unbeaten in this one but she’s up against a reformed and revitalised female MMA veteran. Another unorthadox prediction on our part, but don’t be surprised if Davis gets the win.
WINNER: Davis
METHOD: Decision

Frank Camacho vs. Matt Frevola(Lightweight)
This could well be the end of the UFC line for Frank Camacho. Unless he really pulls something out the bag against Frevola there would be no reason for his employers to keep him. Unfortunately for him we think Frevola takes a unanimous decision.
WINNER:Frevola
METHOD: Decision

Chase Hooper vs. Steven Peterson (Featherweight)
Chase Hooper, who has been 21 forever, remains the youngest fighter on the UFC roster and will look rebuild his career (undefeated before losing to Alex Caceres in 2020) with another win against seasoned veteran Peterson.
WINNER: Hooper
METHOD: Submission

Fares Ziam vs. Luigi Vendramini (Lightweight)
An exciting match up featuring two young, talented and hungry lightweights. Ziam has more than enough ability to win but we’ll go with the ‘Italian Stallion’ to make a real statement and move up the ladder.
WINNER:Vendramini
METHOD: TKO/KO

Carlos Felipe vs. Jake Collier(Heavyweight)
A real battle of the blubber here! It won’t be pretty, but we expect Felipe to rack up the most points based on slightly better cardio.
WINNER: Felipe
METHOD: Decision

UFC 263 WILD CARD BET: Marvin Vetorri to defeat Israel Adesanya via Decision /TKO