Final Preventing Championship (UFC) Heavyweight grapplers Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov will duel this weekend (Sat., June 1, 2024) at UFC 302 inside Prudential Heart in Newark, New Jersey.
Almeida began his UFC profession off scorching, profitable six straight bouts to determine himself as a Heavyweight contender. The Brazilian suffered his first Octagon defeat final day out, nonetheless, as Curtis Blaydes was capable of survive the primary spherical and pull the rug out from beneath Almeida with a sudden sequence of hammerfists (watch highlights). “Malhadinho” will try to rebound reverse a fellow grappler in Romanov, who truly began his UFC profession in comparable trend. 5 straight wins noticed Romanov climb the ladder shortly, however consecutive losses and important weight achieve raised questions on whether or not the Moldovan wrestler might actually minimize it on the highest degree.
Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the betting odds and strategic keys for every athlete:
Almeida Vs. Romanov Betting Odds
Jailton Almeida victory: -290
Jailton Almeida through TKO/KO/DQ: +350
Jailton Almeida through submission: +175
Jailton Almeida through determination: +375
Alexander Romanov victory: +205
Alexander Romanov through TKO/KO/DQ: +800
Alexander Romanov through submission: +600
Alexander Romanov through determination: +650
Draw: +5000
Odds through DraftKings Sportsbook
How Almeida Wins
Almeida just isn’t a sophisticated tactician, however his technique has been wildly efficient. The muscled Brazilian wastes little time in flashing a excessive kick or left hook then exploding ahead right into a double leg takedown. As soon as on high, his management and guard passing is masterful, and he’ll hunt for submissions from dominant positions like mount.
For all of the “boring” complaints, Almeida has completed 19 of his 20 victories — combined martial arts (MMA) followers are foolish!
Sooner or later, Almeida goes to have so as to add extra layers to his kickboxing offense to essentially arrange his grappling, however … this isn’t that time. I don’t know that Romanov even has the placing benefit right here. They’re just about pure grapplers, and based mostly on footage and outcomes, Almeida looks as if the higher one!
Even when he isn’t, his cardio is significantly better. Almeida can begin wrestling from the primary bell, and by the second, Romanov will in all probability fade to the purpose that he can take over if he hasn’t already.
How Romanov Wins
Romanov was an achieved freestyle wrestler earlier than transferring into MMA. Within the cage, he’s identified for high-velocity throws and an aggressive high sport, which has resulted in 15 finishes out of 17 victories.
The percentages are stacked towards him, however I do see a single practical path to victory for Romanov — other than closing his eyes and swinging for a random KO punch, which might at all times occur between two massive males. The higher technique, nonetheless, can be to dash from the beginning gun and provoke the wrestling exchanges himself.
As we simply noticed in Almeida vs. Blaydes, a Heavyweight being good at offensive wrestling doesn’t imply his defensive wrestling is especially nuanced. There’s each probability that Almeida’s takedown protection is mediocre, and we’ve simply by no means seen that facet of his sport as a result of no one has tried. Surprisingly, one of many most secure methods to keep away from being taken down is to take the opposite man down first!
That’s the case right here. If “King Kong” shoots early, he may simply have the ability to throw Almeida by means of the air and achieve high place.
Almeida Vs. Romanov Prediction
Heavyweight grappling matches have a popularity for being terrible, however this one ought to create some fascinating scrambles.
Some of the troublesome conditions in MMA is making an attempt to beat somebody who’s superior in your personal power. What’s an excellent kickboxer alleged to do towards an elite kickboxer? They will attempt to wrestle, however no one likes turning to their backup sport plan, and the elite kickboxer might be used to shucking off takedown makes an attempt from precise wrestlers!
Such is the case right here. Almeida is the superior athlete with extra dominant wrestling and higher jiu-jitsu. Romanov may have the ability to begin quick and catch him off-guard, however Almeida is fairly dang wonderful at exploding out of the gate. Plus, even when he’s taken down, Almeida confirmed a superb means to wrestle up into single legs from his again towards Derrick Lewis final day out, and it feels unlikely that Romanov can sustain the tempo for greater than a spherical.
When he fades, Almeida wraps up a strangle.
Prediction: Almeida through submission (+175)
LIVE! Watch UFC 302 PPV On ESPN+ Right here!
RAUCUS RETURN TO RIO! Final Preventing Championship (UFC) returns to Farmasi Area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sat., Might 4, 2024, that includes Flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja, defending his belt towards undefeated challenger, Steve Erceg, within the pay-per-view (PPV) major occasion of the night. UFC 301’s co-main occasion options “The King of Rio,” Jose Aldo, returning to the Bantamweight division for the primary time in virtually two years to tackle Jonathan Martinez. UFC 301’s PPV major card (see it right here) may also function Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino, Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria and a lot extra. It’s must-watch motion! UFC 301 begin time scheduled for six p.m. ET (Prelims) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV).
Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching motion!
Do not forget that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of all the UFC 302 battle card proper right here, beginning with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches on-line, that are scheduled to start at 6:15 p.m. ET (simulcast on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET), earlier than the pay-per-view (PPV) major card begin time at 10 p.m. ET (additionally on ESPN+).
To take a look at the newest and biggest UFC 302: “Makhachev vs. Poirier” information and notes remember to hit up our complete occasion archive proper right here.
