Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos prediction, odds, pick for UFC Vegas 116

The UFC Vegas 116 Primary Card is heating up as we bring you a betting prediction and pick for this upcoming Bantamweight (135) Division scrap. Milwaukee’s No. 14 -ranked Montel Jackson will tackle Brazil’s streaking Raoni Barcelos in a must-see clash atop the cardboard. Check our UFC odds series for the Jackson-Barcelos prediction and pick.

Montel Jackson (15-3) has gone 9-3 contained in the UFC since 2018. After posting six-straight wins that included three TKO finishes, Jackson fell in his last appearance to former champ Deiveson Figueiredo and returns hoping to get back within the win column again. He stands 5-foot-10 with a 75.5-inch reach.

Raoni Barcelos (21-5) is currently 10-4 contained in the UFC since 2018, most recently notching a unanimous decision over Ricky Simon for his fourth-consecutive victory. This is available in response to a 1-4 run, so Barcelos is seeking to keep his momentum rolling because the short underdog. He stands 5-foot-7 with a 67-inch reach.

UFC Vegas 116 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC Vegas 116 Odds: Montel Jackson-Raoni Barcelos Odds

Montel Jackson: -175

Raoni Barcelos: +145

Over 2.5 rounds: -180

Under 2.5 rounds: +140

Why Montel Jackson Will Win

• Last Fight: (L) Deiveson Figueiredo – S DEC
• Last 5: 4-1
• Finishes: 8 KO/TKO, 1 SUB

Montel Jackson was barely beaten by Deiveson Figueiredo during their last three-round matchup as Jackson actually led the uneventful striking numbers 30-23. Figueiredo landed two takedowns while Jackson landed one and it might have been his decision just as easily on the scorecards. This time around, Jackson ought to be motivated to maintain this fight out of the judges’ hands in working to complete his opponent inside the space.

Jackson may be very defensively sound in his striking (61% def.) and doesn’t typically absorb too many clean strikes in succession. He’s very diligent about working off his back foot and moves his head within the pocket when engaging together with his opponent. Jackson’s fast hands allow him to get out and in of range with strikes to the top and body before opponents can get much off on him.

Barcelos fights behind an identical style, but Jackson may have the slight advantage in speed and length. If he’s in a position to gauge the striking distance accordingly, he should have the option to dictate the pace of this fight and lead with octagon control. Lively together with his grappling, Jackson should have the option to search out success if he’s in a position to pin Barcelos against the fence and work from there.

Why Raoni Barcelos Will Win

• Last Fight: (W) Ricky Simon – U DEC
• Last 5: 4-1
• Finishes: 8 KO/TKO, 3 SUB

After a rough stretch that saw losses to Victor Henry (U DEC), Umar Nurmagomedov (KO), and Kyler Phillips (U DEC), Raoni Barcelos has gone on an undefeated tear with wins over talents like Payton Talbott, Cody Garbrandt, and Ricky Simon all by unanimous decision. His fight style and preparation has taken latest approach and he’s looking like the most effective version of himself at 38 years old.

At bantamweight, Barcelos has a ton of power behind his hands and has sat opponents down together with his straight rights and jabs. Moving into each one in every of his strikes with force, Barcelos is throwing the whole lot with bad intentions and hoping to wreck his opponent in the method. Search for his lively low calf kicks while he works the body with uppercuts as well.

During this fight, Barcelos may look to increase Jackson into this distance given his recent dominance in three-round fights. While he went 1/8 on takedowns in his last fight, Barcelos has remained diligent in changing levels and keeping opponents guessing together with his well-rounded game, the foremost reason for his success over the past 4 fights.

Final Montel Jackson-Raoni Barcelos Prediction & Pick

Each of those fighter sport similar fighting styles and statistics heading into what may very well be one in every of the closer fights we see on this card. Each fighters are similar with their wrestling output and each flaunt a 61% striking defense on the feet, so this ought to be a fight decided by the slightest margins given the skills from each fighters canceling out.

Each fighters should attempt their wrestling without much success, so we ought to be in for a fight mainly going down on the feet. Jackson is more lively together with his striking, nevertheless it’ll be interesting to see how he deals with the consistent forward pressure from Barcelos.

Montel Jackson has yet to be finished in his profession, but Barcelos has been thriving in three-round fights and finds a technique to overwhelm opponents knowing he’s built for a frantic 15-minute pace. This fight seems all too close, so we’ll side with the betting underdog as Barcelos continues this current unbeaten streak he’s on.

Final Montel Jackson-Raoni Barcelos Prediction & Pick: Raoni Barcelos (+145); OVER 2.5 Rounds (-180)