The Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) is back in Vegas for a highly anticipated UFC pay per view. Read on for our early MMA betting odds and free UFC predictions for UFC in Vegas 18: Alexander Volkov vs. Alistair Overeem at the UFC Apex Centre in Las Vegas.
Clay Guida vs. Michael Johnson
UFC Lightweight Bout
UFC in Vegas 18 takes place on Saturday, February the 6th, live from the Apex Centre in Las Vegas only on ESPN
Clay Guida
Age: 39
Nationality: USA
Record: 35-20-0
Height: 5ft 7"
Reach: 70"
Gym: Team Alpha Male
Notable Gym Members: Deiveson Figueiredo, Cody Garbrandt & Josh Emmett
Current Streak: 2 losses
Wins by KO/TKO: 5
Wins by Submission: 16
Decision wins: 14
A timeless demeanour and attitude towards Mixed Martial Arts's sport have kept Clay Guida as a UFC competitor for close to fifteen years, take that in for a moment.
And although 'The Carpenter' did not claim championship gold, he has owned the gatekeeper role, remaining a solid fighter inside the UFC's light and featherweight divisions.
Aged 39 and riding a two-fight losing streak, perhaps we won't admit that Clay Guida should probably hang up the gloves, but without a significant win since 2017 it's also hard to make a positive case for him.
Michael Johnson
Age: 34
Nationality: USA
Record: 19-16-0
Height: 5ft 10"
Reach: 73.5"
Gym: Sanford MMA
Notable Gym Members: Kamaru Usman, Robbie Lawler & Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Current Streak: 3 losses
Wins by KO/TKO: 8
Wins by Submission: 2
Decision wins: 9
Michael Johnson was once surrounded by hype, but the previous five years have been rough. A 3-8 record and five of those contests ending via knockout or submission have certainly put a dampener on his career trajectory. The man who once knocked out Dustin Poirier and went the distance with Nate Diaz hit a massive decline in his performance outcomes.
Fight Prediction
Whenever Michael Johnson has found success in recent years, it's been against the lower level of competition. Not to say that Clay Guida is not an experienced veteran, but he is slowed down an incredible amount compared to the old Guida.
Both men enter this fight on losing streaks, but the significantly younger, faster and just as experienced Michael Johnson should be the favourite.
UFC in Vegas 18 Free Betting Pick: Michael Johnson win by decision at 2.35 (+135) with William Hill (visit our William Hill Review)
Seung Woo Choi vs. Youssef Zalal
UFC Featherweight Bout
UFC in Vegas 18 takes place on Saturday, February the 6th, live from the Apex Centre in Las Vegas only on ESPN
Seung Woo Choi
Age: 30
Nationality: USA
Record: 8-3-0 (1-2-0 UFC)
Height: 6ft"
Reach: 74.5"
Gym: S Korea
Notable Gym Members: Chan Sung Jung & Jin Soo Son
Current Streak: 1 win
Wins by KO/TKO: 5
Wins by Submission: 0
Decision wins: 3
The fighters out of Korean Zombie MMA are now on a pedestal because of their protégée Chan Sung Jung. But Seung Woo Choi has not quite had the UFC story he had planned. 1-2 since joining the company, his underwhelming performances will need a turnaround to maintain his UFC status.
Youssef Zalal
Age: 24
Nationality: USA
Record: 10-3-0 (3-1-0 UFC)
Height: 5ft 10"
Reach: 72"
Gym: Factory X
Notable Gym Members: Anthony Smith, Cody Stamann & Brandon Royval
Current Streak: 1 loss
Wins by KO/TKO: 2
Wins by Submission: 5
Decision wins: 3
If you are new around here, check out some Youssef Zalal fight highlights and you will not be disappointed. And I love Zalal, even more, when he's coming off his first UFC loss.
The twenty-four-year-old has shown complete hunger for the sport, wanting to evolve his game and one day and reach the pinnacle of the sport has been evident through his efforts.
Fight Prediction
Although the odds aren't entirely satisfying, I believe the value in Zalal is found through his complete martial arts skillset, Choi has some fair striking, but Zalal is the total package.
UFC 258 Free Betting Pick: Julian Marquez at 1.42 [-240] with Bet365 (visit our Bet365 Review)