Juan Espino vs Jeff Hughes Pick, 9/26/2020 Predictions UFC 253 Odds

by Tony Sink - 9/25/2020

Juan Espino vs Jeff Hughes

UFC 253

Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Juan Espino will battle Jeff Hughes at UFC 253 on Saturday, September 26, 2020. The opening line has Espino at -300 while Hughes is priced at +250.

Juan "El Guapo" Espino steps into the Octagon holding a record of 10-1-0. The 39-year-old is fighting at 250 lbs and measures in at 6'3". The orthodox fighter has a reach of 80". Jeff "Lights Out" Hughes comes in at 6'2" and is weighing in at 250 lbs. The orthodox fighter comes into this fight with a record of 10-3-0. The 32-year-old extends his reach 77". With respect to significant strikes, Juan Espino lands 6.11 per min while Jeff Hughes connects on 4.34 significant strikes per min. Espino is landing 95% of the significant strikes he attempts and Hughes is connecting on 51%. In terms of defending in the Octagon, "El Guapo" allows 1.11 significant strikes per minute and "Lights Out" takes 3.77. Espino also stops 33% of the significant strikes that are aimed in his direction and Hughes deflects 61% of the strikes thrown in his direction.

Regarding takedowns, Juan Espino is the more productive wrestler as he gets a takedown 8.33 times per 3 rds. Espino is taking his opponents to the canvas on 90% of his attempts and thwarting 0% of the takedowns his opponents attempt. Hughes is taking his opponents to the canvas on 50% of the takedowns he tries and defending 75% of all takedowns attempted by his opposition. When it comes to submissions, Espino is the more skilled technician by trying 8.3 subs per 15 minutes while Hughes attempts 0.7 subs per 3 rds.

In his previous bout, Juan Espino faced Justin Frazier and got a win for the night via an armbar from the crucifix position in round 1. Frazier ended up landing 17 of 19 total strikes that he threw in that contest. Espino walked away from this fight having landed 44 of 52 total strikes. When it comes to significant strikes, Frazier landed 4 of 6, which gave him a rate of 66%. He finished the fight landing 0 of 2 significant strikes aimed at the head. In terms of stats for the opponent, Espino ended up landing 95% of his significant strikes by sticking 22 of 23. Out of all the significant strikes thrown, he was 19 of 20 to the head.

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In the last Octagon appearance for Jeff Hughes, he battled Raphael Pessoa and wound up walking away in defeat via unanimous decision in round 3. Pessoa ended up connecting on 82% of the significant strikes he took from distance while Hughes connected on 82% of the significant strikes he attempted from distance. Hughes landed 44% of the significant strikes he attempted by connecting on 34 of 77. He ended up connecting on 10 of 46 significant strikes aimed at the head. Pessoa ended up landing 39 of 138 significant strikes in that contest. Out of all the significant strikes thrown, he ended up landing 22 of 112 aimed at the head. In terms of total strikes that he let go in that contest, Pessoa landed 43 of 143 and Hughes was 48 of 93 of the strikes he threw in total.

Other bouts to watch

An additional bout that shouldn't be missed is when Ketlen Vieira encounters Sijara Eubanks. Vieira walks into the cage with a mark of 10-1-0. The 29-year-old records a weight of 135 lbs and measures 5'8". The orthodox fighter extends her reach 68". Eubanks measures 5'4" and steps on the scale at 135 lbs. The orthodox fighter will be looking to add a win to her record of 7-4-0. The 35-year-old extends her reach 67". When it comes to grappling, Ketlen Vieira gets a takedown 2.03 times per 3 rounds and Sijara Eubanks is able to score a takedown 2.17 times per 15 minutes. In terms of striking, Vieira connects on 2.74 strikes per min and is connecting on 35% of the strikes that she throws. On the other side of the cage we have Sijara Eubanks, who connects on 42% of the strikes she has thrown and connects on 4.71 per min.

Another must see fight on the night is when Paulo Costa is set to face off against Israel Adesanya. Adesanya holds a mark of 19-0-0. The 31-year-old is weighing in at 185 lbs and comes in at 6'4". The switch fighter has a reach of 80". Costa measures in at 6'1" and will fight at 185 lbs. The orthodox fighter steps into the Octagon with a record of 13-0-0. The 29-year-old has a wingspan of 72". In the category of takedowns, Israel Adesanya is able to deflect 86% of his opponents' takedown attempts and is getting his opponent to the mat on 10% of the times he tries. Costa is taking his opponents to the mat on 20% of the tries he takes and is able to curb 80% of the takedowns his opponents attempt. Concerning striking, Adesanya is absorbing 2.40 strikes/min while he is landing 3.96 per min. Costa, at the same time, is taking 6.84 strikes per minute and is landing 8.43 per minute.

Who will win tonight's UFC match against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Juan Espino (-300)

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Juan Espino vs Jeff Hughes Pick, 9/26/2020 Predictions UFC 253 Odds

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