The UFC returns to the Apex Center in Las Vegas this Saturday. Bantamweight contenders will throw down in the evening’s co-main event, and we’re supplementing all your wagering needs.
Read on for our complete betting guide taking a first look at Marlon Moraes vs. Song Yadong, including the updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev betting picks, predictions, and analysis.
UFC Bantamweight Co-Main Event Bout
Saturday, March 12, 2022 – 10:05 PM EST at UFC Apex Center
Former WSOF (World Series of Fighting) bantamweight champion and former national Muay Thai champion of Brazil, Marlon Moraes, had already established his worth upon his arrival to the UFC.
Holding black belts in both Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu disciplines was complimented with a lifetime experience of competing in combat sports, so witnessing his ascension to compete for the vacant bantamweight title following a 4-1 UFC record came as no surprise.
Join Now: $1,000 BMR 12-Week All Sports Challenge
Unfortunately for Moraes, since losing the championship bout versus Henry Cejudo, the Brazilian native has been on a downtrend. He’s now 1-4 in his previous 5 fights and has lost his last 3 contests.
With that said and to his credit, those losses were at the hands of the bantamweights most elite, and this weekend he’ll be looking to re-establish a position in the top-ten rankings by outperforming an up-and-comer to the 135lb division.
Marlon Moraes Best Available Odds: To Win ML (+205) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
One of the brightest prospects to stem from Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male gym, Song Yadong, has the opportunity to boost his ranking and make his presence known by defeating a former title challenger this Saturday evening.
More Picks: UFC Vegas 50 First Look: Santos vs. Ankalaev Betting Picks, Odds and Predictions
Song, 24, made his UFC debut aged just 20-years-old, and impressively owns a 7-1 record since joining the company. Notable victories over Alejandro Perez, Marlon Vera, Casey Kenney, and Julio Arce, have positioned Song as a touted prospect of the future.
Despite being just 24 years old, Song performs in the octagon behind a martial arts skillset that stems from his childhood. Having trained in multiple disciplines, the diversity and intelligence of his fighting approach don’t reflect his young age.
Song Yadong Odds: To Win ML (-235) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Moraes fight style and how can Moraes beat Song?
Moraes has been knocked out in 4 of his last 5 UFC bouts, a red flag pointing towards his chin. He has devasting low and high kicks, but space is required for the Brazilian to get his offense going comfortably. He enjoys making use of his faints, but again, he often looks for space before letting his strikes go.
Moraes is easily pressured, which is one of the crucial reasons as to why he’s been finished inside the distance on so many occasions. His most significant path to victory will be to stay at range and make use of his kicks.
Song Fight Style and How Can Song Beat Moraes?
In retaliation to the leg kicks Moraes will throw, Song owns the lights-out type of power from his counter hook. He sits down on his punches behind sheer strength that has gifted the Chinese fighter with 4 knockouts inside the UFC octagon.
Visit Our: MMA and Boxing Betting
He does tend to throw a counter uppercut that can easily be countered with straight jabs. Still, overall, the force of his striking is a cause for concern when evaluating the fading durability of Moraes.
Takedown defense and the scrambling ability of Song is top tier; he’s a fast striker with great fight IQ considering his young age and has a diverse skillset that Moraes should struggle against.
The available odds at Bookmakers Review are heavily favoring Song, and given the downtrend of Moraes, this isn’t a surprising position for the bookmaker to place themselves in.
Moraes isn’t as trustworthy as he once was, his chin seems to be deteriorating, and a lack of cardio after the first round isn’t a good sign. For the reasons above, I expect Song Yadong to finish his Brazilian foe inside the distance, with a pleasurable near-even price tag for our UFC picks.
UFC Vegas 50 Betting Pick: Song Yadong to Win Inside the Distance (-110) [1.10u to win 1u] at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.