The UFC heads to Sweden this weekend for another exciting card in the form of UFC Fight Night 153. This event is headlined by a strong Light Heavyweight main event between Alex Gustafsson and Anthony Smith and is backed up by Volkan Oezdemir against Ilir Latifi. We’ll preview and provide our best bets for the top 3 fights on the card.
Alexander Gustafsson
Gustafsson still remains one of the premier contenders at Light Heavyweight, entering this bout with a strong 18-5 career record. He did suffer a very demoralizing loss at the hands of Jon Jones last time out, getting knocked out at UFC 232. One of the hardest hitters across the UFC, Gustafsson boasts 11 knockouts in his 18 career wins.
Anthony Smith
A storied veteran of the game, Smith got his well-deserved title shot last time out, fighting valiantly in a decision loss to Jon Jones. He enters this bout with an impressive 31-14 career record, with 28 of these wins coming via finish. His best chance in this one is if he can get Gustafsson to the ground and use his strong Jiu-Jitsu.
Prediction: Gustafsson by KO/Points
Blessed with the size and reach advantage, I think Gustafsson has a strong edge in this matchup. I expect him to control this fight from the off with his superior striking game, which should allow him to dominate throughout. A ko win is probably the most likely outcome over 5 rounds, although Smith showed his durability lasting the distance with Jones last time out.
Ilir Latifi
Another one of the finest Swedes in the UFC, Latifi enters this one with a strong 14-6-1 record to his name. He has been in solid recent form, winning 5 of his last 7 and managing a Performance of the Night in his last win. He’ll definitely be looking for the finish in this one, having registered 5 submission and 5 knockout wins so far.
Volkan Oezdemir
After finally getting a well-deserved title shot, it has been a tortuous last 18 months for Volkan Oezdemir. He entered his title fight with Daniel Cormier at a very impressive 15-1 but has since lost each of his last 3 fights. With 11 knockouts to his name, it’s safe to suggest he’ll look to stay on the feet in this one.
Prediction: Oezdemir to win $1.85
Despite losing his last 3 fights, I think Oezdemir is comfortably the better of these two fighters. His speed and power will likely overmatch Latifi in this one and I expect him to outstrike him considerably. After a tumultuous last 18 months, I expect Oezdemir to get back to winning ways here.
Alex Rakic
Rakic is a relatively unknown in UFC circles, sporting a 12-1 MMA record for his career. He has looked particularly strong with a 3-0 record in the UFC, including a first-round KO of Devin Clark last time out. With 9 finishes to his name already, big things are expected of this young man.
Jimi Manuwa
The veteran Pom is still going at age 39, sporting a very solid career record of 17-5. His career has admittedly gone way downhill of late, falling from his 14-0 record with 5 losses in his last 8. That said, given how many times he defended the UCMMA Light Heavyweight title, the man needs to be respected.
Prediction: Rakic to win $1.45
These are two fighters whose careers are going in different directions. Rakic is on the incline and could be the next big thing at Light Heavyweight, while Manuwa is definitely on the decline. I think the speed, power, and versatility of the young man gets the job done here.