UFC 278: Jose Aldo vs Merab Dvalishvili- fight preview, betting odds and final prediction
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Aldo is all set to face Merab at UFC 278
UFC 278 will take place this weekend with the UFC event to be held for the first time in Salt Lake City, Utah and in a bantamweight battle, Jose Aldo will face Merab Dvalishvili. Aldo is the former WEC-UFC featherweight champion with the most title defences in UFC featherweight history. Aldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest Brazilian fighters of all time. Dvalishvili is an MMA fighter born out of Georgia and trains at Serra-Longo Fight Team alongside the UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
UFC 278 is headlined by a welterweight rematch between the champion Kamaru Usman and the challenger Leon Edwards, the last time these 2 fought was 7 years ago when Usman won via decision. This time, Usman is looking for his sixth title defence and Edwards will be coming to dethrone him. In the co-main event, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold will return to the Octagon in nearly after 3 years when he will face former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa.
Also Read: “I’m very close” Jose Aldo hints at retirement, closing his legendary career with a title victory
Jose Aldo vs Merab Dvalishvili- Fight Preview
Aldo is one of the best strikers of all time, period. You watch his dominance throughout his time in the featherweight division then and later on the perfection in his techniques now that he fights in the bantamweight. Aldo is known for potentially knocking you out with 6 out of 8 limbs of combat, his hands, his legs and his knees. Look at Aldo’s fight against UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber in WEC, you will see the amount of punishment he can put on with his leg kicks. Look at Aldo’s first fight with Chad Mendes and you will see the danger of being in Aldo’s range for a knee attack.
Finally, Aldo’s fights, such as against Jeremy Stephens prove that their levels in MMA boxing and Aldo has achieved the best of it. For a very long period of time, Aldo was known for the highest takedown defence in the UFC featherweight division, which was more than most of the fighters in the entire roster. Dvalishvili has scored more than 54 takedowns in just his 9 UFC fights and not only that, he has got hands and durability to achieve the status of a seasoned striker. Dvalishvili’s most significant win is that against former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes.
Jose Aldo vs Merab Dvalishvili- Betting odds and Final prediction
According to the official UFC website, Aldo is a +115 underdog and Dvalishvili is a -135 favourite.
Final Prediction: Merab Dvalishvili to defeat Jose Aldo via unanimous decision.
Although Aldo is still a dangerous opponent, its quite sceptical if his motivation is at par with these young upcoming prospects in the most stacked division, such as Dvalishvili who trains with the champion of that division on a daily basis, also, while Aldo still has a good takedown defence, Dvalishvili is just on an unstoppable run and we can see him securing multiple takedowns over the former champion.
Also Read: UFC 278: Paulo Costa vs Luke Rockhold Prediction, Odds, and Fight Preview
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Abhai Singh Tanwar
(1386 Articles Published)