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The Co-Essential Event of UFC Vegas 104 is finally set as we bring you a betting prediction and pick for this exciting scrap within the Welterweight (170) Division. MMA veterans will go to war as Vegas’ own Chidi Njokuani takes on Brazil’s Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. Check the UFC odds series for our Njokuani-Zaleski prediction and pick.
Chidi Njokuani (24-10) has gone 4-3 contained in the UFC cage since 2022. He’s been streaky through this point of his profession with back-to-back wins, a three-fight losing streak, and consecutive wins heading into this fight. He’ll search for his third-straight victory as he attempts to make one other run through the division. Njokuani stands 6-foot-3 with an 80-inch reach.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (25-8-1) has gone 11-4-1 since joining the UFC roster in 2015. He’s 1-1-1 in his last three fights including a draw against Rinat Fakhretdinov and a most up-to-date win over Zach Scroggin in the primary round. He’ll be the moderate betting favorite here trying to mount a winning streak. Zaleski dos Santos stands 5-foot-11 with a 73-inch reach.
Listed below are the UFC Vegas 104 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC Vegas 104 Odds: Chidi Njokuani-Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Odds
Chidi Njokuani: +164
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos: -198
Over 2.5 rounds: -110
Under 2.5 rounds: -120
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Why Chidi Njokuani Will Win
- Last Fight: (W) Jared Gooden – U DEC
- Last 5: 2-3
- Finishes: 14 KO/TKO, 1 SUB
Chidi Njokuani is coming in off a really complete performance against a dangerous striker in Jared Gooden. He managed to make use of movement to his advantage as he was the far more fluid striker throughout the bout. Once finding a snug range, Njokuani is in a position to flow along with his mixtures while adding in kicks along with his long reaching legs. His straight punches are very stiff and he can pile damage in a rush if he’s landing clean. Search for Njokuani to try to be first within the exchanges as he tries to throw Zaleski off his timing.
Njokuani might want to avoid his back foot on this fight and continually pressure forward. We have seen him freeze up to now when on the retreat and he cannot afford to do the identical against a dangerous knockout artist like Zaleski. Search for Njokuani to utilize the Thai clinch because the taller, longer fighter as he’ll should profit from his physical benefits during this one.
Why Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Will Win
- Last Fight: (W) Zach Scroggin – TKO (punches, R1)
- Last 5: 3-1-1
- Finishes: 15 KO/TKO, 3 SUB
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos last beat Zach Scroggin in a Round 1 flurry finish by landing the more precise shots. It was an interesting change of pace for the Brazilian veteran as his last six prior fights when to a call. He might be taking a look at a more drawn-out fight during this one as each men will probably be hoping to search out their striking rhythm. While he’ll be working with a heigh and reach drawback, Zaleski stands to search out success behind his creativity and talent to string together unique mixtures on the feet.
He definitely possesses the greater ending upside with more KO’s on his record and he’s been on the UFC grind for much longer than his opponent. Still, the 2 competitors are relatively close in age and Zaleski has been known to have the more solid chin between the 2. To achieve success during this fight, he can have to walk through some punches and switch this right into a chaotic brawl to attract Njokuani right into a compromised spot on the feet.
Final Chidi Njokuani-Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Prediction & Pick
This must be an action-packed Co-Essential Event as each fighters are extremely expert on the feet. Each men also make great use of their leg kicks, so we may even see portions of this fight going down at a secure kicking range. Chidi Njokuani could have the slight advantage with an extended reach, but Elizeu Zaleski is far more creative on the feet and might find unique openings.
Still, Njokuani recent streak has been impressive and he’s proven himself over a three-round environment. During those fights, he’s normally the aggressor and tends to take octagon control, so it’ll be interesting to see how he handles the forward movement of Zaleski.
I believe the difference on this fight will probably be the constant output from Zaleski while eating punches and continuing to press forward. His instincts are frequently to counter punch, but he’ll see a successful campaign if he’s in a position to crowd Njokuani along the fence and blend body shots into his attack. For our final prediction, let’s roll with dos Santos to search out this decision victory.
Final Chidi Njokuani-Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Prediction & Pick: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (-198)
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