Don’t be surprised if this Sunday’s UFC Fight Night 113 is one of the lowest rated card of the year. That’s the reality when one half of the main event – Santiago Ponzinibbio – is a fighter that not even hardcore fans would know much about.
The rest of the fights don’t offer much support either, as there aren’t really many stars or even ranked opponents throughout the night. What this card does offer is plenty of Scottish locals to appease the crowd in Glasgow.
But let’s make it clear: the main event between Gunnar Nelson and Ponzinibbio is a fantastic piece of matchmaking, and there are a few other scraps here that should provide plenty of entertainment. Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and get to some money-making picks.
Gunnar Nelson -200 vs Santiago Ponzinibbio +160
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -215, under +170
Matchup Preview & Betting Analysis
Here’s what’s good: both these guys are peaking as fighters and cracking at career-best levels. The winner here gets entry into the upper tier of 170, setting up a high stakes clash against a top contender in the near future.
But the best part of this pairing is the stylistic clash between the two. Ponzinibbio is a beast mode striker who throws everything at full power. The heat he comes with is enough to make most opponents panic and tuck tail. He’s not just some free swinger either – the Argentine is good at cutting angles and finding openings with his aggressive style.
Nelson has basically gone full Machida in his striking, embracing a wide, bouncy stance to maintain range. He basically owned Alan Jouban – a very good brawler – in his last matchup, and most importantly looked totally comfortable on the feet. Ponzinibbio is better than Jouban, but is similar in style and should be able to consistently uncork damaging counters.
The Icelander also has a trump card with his elite level grappling. He can always revert to the grinding style that brought him up to the ranks, and Ponzinibbio won’t have an answer if Nelson does.
Our Pick: Nelson to win at -200
JoJo Calderwood +190 vs Cynthia Calvillo -270
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -150, under +110
Matchup Preview & Betting Analysis
Glasgow’s own JoJo Calderwood is gonna get a hero’s welcome in her hometown, but getting the win ain’t gonna be easy as she’ll be tested against the undefeated Cynthia Calvillo.
Calderwood is a kickboxer who will have a distinct advantage on the feet. On the mat, Calvillo will be more comfortable. The American is a Team Alpha Male fighter through and through, right down to the excellent scrambles and back takes.
Calvillo was able to drag down another good striker in Pearl Gonzalez in her last outing, but Calderwood is much more experienced. This will be a close matchup, but JoJo should be able to fight off the takedowns of a good-but-not-dominant wrestler and land enough to take the win.
Still, it’s understandable if you’re nervous about picking a winner in the UFC odds. Women’s strawweight is always a good division to take the over, as knockouts don’t come easy at this weight and girls can generally fight through submissions.
UFC odds pick: Over 2.5 rounds -150
Stevie Ray -120 vs Paul Felder -120
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -210, under +160
Matchup Preview & Betting Analysis
Though Felder has a Muay Thai base, “The Irish Dragon” is puzzlingly hittable and flat-footed in exchanges. He’s a good athlete with solid cardio, and has picked up a solid wrestling skills. Overall, Felder is unremarkable but good enough to stick around the UFC.
Ray is a much more exciting fighter – a finisher with six KOs and eight SUBs in 21 career victories. The native Scot is also riding a two-fight win streak over Ross Pearson and Joe Lauzon – two longtime, highly respected veterans.
Those wins suggest that Ray, who is now 5-1 inside the octagon, is ready to take a step forward at 155. That means being able to beat midtier guys like Felder, who has plateaued as a fighter.
UFC odds pick: Ray to win at -120
Check out the latest UFC Fight Night 113 betting odds here.
