Schaub vs. Nogueira Pick
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (TheSpread) – One of the featured bouts at UFC 134 on Saturday is a heavyweight showdown between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Brendan Schaub.
View Real-Time Sports Betting Odds
According to oddsmakers, Schaub is the favorite to win this fight with odds of -250 while Nogueira comes in with a money line of +195. UFC 134 takes place from the HSBC Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and will air live on Pay-Per-View at 9PM ET.
WHY PICK SCHAUB
Schaub (8-1) is on a roll in the UFC right now, having won four straight fights, three by KO. Schaub has big punching power and his burly size makes him difficult to get to the ground. Schaub has had success against almost every style of fighter, but has struggled a little bit against better strikers, though Nogueira isn’t considered a great striker. Schaub is the younger fighter and less war torn, as Nogeuira has been through a lot of wars over the year. Nogueira’s chin is considerably less durable, as he has been knocked out in two of his last three fights, after never having been stopped in a fight prior.
WHY PICK NOGUEIRA
Nogueira (32-6-1) is one of the legends of MMA, as he is one of the few fighters in history to hold titles in the UFC and PRIDE in his career. The submission specialist is known for his resiliency, as he pulled miracle submissions out in fights he was losing a number of times in his career. For this fight, Nogueira will have a big edge on the ground and could easily score a submission if the fight gets to the ground. If the fight stays standing, he will struggle. Nogueira hasn’t fought in the octagon since February of 2010, and the long layoff could either make him fresh, or give him ring rust.
WHO TO PICK?
The fight is in Brazil, so it is hard to pick against Nogueira, but I like Schaub to continue his run in this one. Nogueira isn’t know for his explosive takedowns by any means, so if the fight goes to the ground, it will probably be by mistake from Schaub. I think he will be smart enough to stay on his feet and pick his opponent apart before finishing him off in the second round with a TKO.
UFC 134 FREE PICK: BRENDAN SCHAUB -250
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