UFC Vegas 85 kicks off with a highly anticipated fight between Thomas Petersen and Jamal Pogues. The event, which takes place this weekend, marks Petersen’s UFC debut and Pogues’ attempt to bounce back from his recent loss. Both fighters are looking to make a statement in the heavyweight division.
Petersen, with an impressive record of 8-1, secured his UFC contract after a dominant performance in the Contender Series. He submitted his opponent, Chandler Cole, in the second round with a keylock. Despite a previous loss against UFC heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Petersen is determined to prove himself in his debut fight against Pogues.
Pogues, with a record of 10-4, also secured his contract through the Contender Series. However, it took him two attempts and a move up in weight class to achieve this. Since his victory, Pogues has gone 1-1 in the promotion, most recently suffering a loss to Mick Parkin at UFC London. He is eager to prove that the loss was a fluke and get back on track by defeating Petersen.
The odds for this fight, courtesy of DraftKings, favor Petersen at -166, while Pogues sits at +140. Additionally, the over/under for rounds is set at 1.5, with -245 for over and +185 for under.
Petersen’s path to the UFC has been marked by setbacks and comebacks. After losing the LFA Heavyweight Championship fight against Cortes-Acosta, he went on a two-fight finish streak, eventually earning his spot in the Contender Series. Despite not being the most physically imposing heavyweight, Petersen’s wrestling background and technique have allowed him to excel in MMA. Against Pogues, he will look to utilize his wrestling skills to secure takedowns and control the fight.
Pogues, known for his quickness and long-range attacks, has had his fair share of challenges on his journey to the UFC. After securing his contract, he defeated Josh Parisian but suffered a loss to Parkin in his next bout. In this fight against Petersen, Pogues will rely on his jab and striking from the outside to avoid Petersen’s takedowns. However, his cardio has been a concern, as shown in his last fight, and he will need to address this weakness to succeed.
In this heavyweight clash, Petersen’s wrestling-heavy gameplan gives him the advantage. Pogues’ struggles against Parkin’s striking suggest that he may struggle to keep up with Petersen’s relentless pace. While Pogues will attempt to prevent Petersen from taking control, it is likely that Petersen will secure takedowns and control the fight. Pogues’ ability to get back up and his late-fight resurgence may make the fight competitive, but ultimately, Petersen is predicted to come out on top.
In conclusion, the prediction for the Thomas Petersen vs. Jamal Pogues fight is in favor of Petersen (+140) to win, with the fight lasting over 1.5 rounds (-245).
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