Raphael Assuncao vs Ricky Simon Pick, 12/18/2021 Predictions UFC Vegas 45 Odds

Raphael Assuncao vs Ricky Simon

UFC Vegas 45

UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Raphael Assuncao will take on Ricky Simon at UFC Vegas 45 on Saturday, December 18, 2021. The moneyline has Assuncao priced at +220 while Simon is priced at -275.

Raphael Assuncao will be looking to add a victory to his career record of 27-8-0. The 39-year-old records a weight of 135 lbs and comes in at 5'5". The orthodox fighter stretches 66". Ricky Simon stands 5'6" and tips the scales at 135 lbs. The orthodox fighter holds a career record of 18-3-0. The 29-year-old reaches 69". Regarding significant strikes, Raphael Assuncao connects on 3.26 per minute and Ricky Simon lands 3.08 significant strikes per min. Assuncao is landing 40% of the significant strikes he attempts while Simon lands 42%. When it comes to defending in the Octagon, Assuncao absorbs 2.33 significant strikes per min and Simon absorbs 3.13. Assuncao also stops 68% of the significant strikes his opponents throw at him and Simon curbs 64% of the strikes thrown in his direction.

In terms of takedowns, Raphael Assuncao is the lesser skilled grappler as he scores a takedown 1.48 times per 15 min. Assuncao is getting his opponent to the mat on 38% of his attempts and stopping 80% of the takedowns his opponents attempt. Simon is scoring a takedown on 54% of the takedowns he attempts and stopping 72% of all takedowns attempted on him. Regarding going for the sub, Assuncao is less likely to go for the finish by going for 0.3 finishes per 15 minutes while Simon looks to get 0.4 finishes per 3 rds.

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In his last bout, Raphael Assuncao fought Cody Garbrandt and was defeated by a punch to the head in round 2. Garbrandt landed 20 of 45 total strikes that he let go. Assuncao finished this fight landing 17 of 52 total strikes. In the significant strikes category, Garbrandt landed 19 of 43, which means his percentage was 44%. He landed 7 of 24 significant strikes directed at the head. On the other side of the Octagon, Assuncao landed 32% of his significant strikes by sticking 17 of 52. In regard to the placement of these significant strikes, he connected on 4 of 25 to the head. 100% of the significant strikes landed by Garbrandt and 100% of them connected on by Assuncao were done at a distance.

In the last fight for Ricky Simon, he fought Brian Kelleher and took home the victory by way of unanimous decision in round 3. Kelleher ended up connecting on 94% of the significant strikes he tried at a distance while Simon connected on 64% of the significant strikes he attempted at distance. Simon ended up connecting on 45% of the significant strikes he attempted by landing 45 of 98. He ended up connecting on 25 of 73 significant strikes aimed at the head. Kelleher ended up connecting on 19 of 73 significant strikes in that contest. Looking at the significant strike accuracy, he ended up landing 7 of 56 aimed at the head. Discussing total strikes thrown in that contest, Kelleher connected on 25 of 83 while Simon connected on 72 of 136 of the strikes he threw in total.

Other fights on the card to keep an eye on

Another fight to keep an eye on is when Diego Ferreira battles Mateusz Gamrot. Ferreira looks to add a victory to his career record of 17-4-0. The 36-year-old records a weight of 155 lbs and measures in at 5'9". The orthodox fighter has an arm span of 74". Gamrot comes in at 5'10" and tips the scales at 155 lbs. The southpaw fighter walks into the cage holding a mark of 19-1-0. The 30-year-old has a reach of 70". In terms of takedowns, Diego Ferreira scores a takedown 0.81 times per 3 rounds and Mateusz Gamrot is averaging a takedown 5.35 times per 15 min. When it comes to striking, Ferreira lands an average of 4.70 strikes per minute and is landing 37% of the strikes that he throws. On the other side we have Mateusz Gamrot, who connects on 48% of the strikes he attempts and lands 4.10 per minute.

An additional fight that you're going to want to see is when Darren Elkins is set to square up in the Octagon against Cub Swanson. Swanson walks into the cage with a record of 27-12-0. The 38-year-old is weighing in at 145 lbs and stands 5'8". The orthodox fighter stretches 70". Elkins measures in at 5'10" and weighs 145 lbs. The orthodox fighter will be looking to add a win to his record of 27-9-0. The 37-year-old has a reach of 71". Concerning wrestling, Cub Swanson is able to deflect 60% of the takedowns fighters have gone for and is scoring a takedown on 51% of his attempts. Elkins is taking his opponents to the mat on 33% of his tries and prevents 56% of all takedown tries against him. Concerning striking, Swanson absorbs 3.66 strikes/min and he is landing 4.63 strikes/min. Elkins, on the other side, takes 3.05 strikes/minute and dishes out 3.46 per minute.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Raphael Assuncao (+220)

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