The UFC returns to Vegas this Saturday, and the scheduled main card bouts provide us with an elite line-up of mixed martial arts combatants.
Aussie favorite Jamie Mullarkey has a stern test ahead when he goes to war with Afghanistan’s Nasrat Haqparast. At the same time, the Brazilian submission ace, Andre Muniz, looks to halt a two-fight losing skid versus the four-fight win streak of Jun Yong Park.
Let’s waste no more time and dive right into the most noteworthy betting picks from the UFC Vegas 83 main card.
Picks Summary
- Nasrat Haqparast ML (-200) at Bet365
- Andre Muniz ML (+180) at Caesars Sportsbook
Jamie Mullarkey vs. Nasrat Haqparast
UFC Vegas 83 Lightweight Main Event Bout
Saturday, December 09, 2023 – 11:00 PM ET at UFC Apex
Nasrat Haqparast
Following his victories over John Makdessi and Landon Quinones, which were separated by a span of 53 weeks, Haqparast is swiftly returning to compete in this next battle on Saturday.
The Afghan native, aged 28 years old, has demonstrated occasional bursts of exceptional potential in the past but faltered during crucial moments. Now, he’ll approach Saturday’s bout to maintain positive progress after a commendable performance in September.
- Pro MMA Record: 15-5-0
- Haqparast KOs: 9
- Haqparast Submissions: 0
Jamie Mullarkey
Mullarkey rebounded into the win column this past autumn with a commendable performance against the resilient Canadian vet John Makdessi in a well-contested bout.
The triumph provided solace following his previous defeat against Muhammad Naimov. It propelled the Aussie fighter into this next event with a record of winning three out of his past four matches inside the Octagon.
- Pro MMA Record: 17-6-0
- Mullarkey KOs: 10
- Mullarkey Submissions: 3
Haqparast vs. Mullarkey: Fight Tape Analysis
This bout has all the makings of Fight of the Night, as both Haqparast and Mullarkey are more than willing to engage on the feet, with the former’s counter-attack strategy complementing the latter’s pressure strategy.
Haqparast is an exceptionally technical striker who prefers to maintain pressure on his opponents until they are forced to the cage, where he can deliver powerful blows while releasing his hands. He adeptly sustains a high guard during combat and strategically utilizes his leading hand to establish his position within the intended range.
Haqparast will achieve supremacy in kickboxing. He will attempt to position his striking to set up takedowns against the fence, and he consistently tries to capture kicks out in the octagon’s center to ground the opposition.
UFC Vegas 83 Main Card Odds & Fight Prediction
The UFC pricing with OddsTrader’s top sportsbooks believe Haqparast is the rightful favorite, and I agree.
I expect Mullarkey to have too much confidence in his striking, and while he should be looking to implement more of a grappling-based plan, I don’t believe he’ll achieve this and he’ll fall victim to the speed and power of Haqparast over three rounds.
UFC Pick: Haqparast ML (-200) [2u returns 1u profit] at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Andre Muniz vs. Jun Yong Park
UFC Vegas 83 Middleweight Main Card Bout
Saturday, December 9, 2023 – 10:35 PM ET at UFC Apex
Andre Muniz
Muniz once appeared poised to challenge for the championship, but he arrives in Las Vegas this weekend to arrest a two-fight decline.
The alumnus of Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) entered this year on a five-fight winning streak; however, subsequent stoppage losses to Brendan Allen and Paul Craig have him seeking a means to reverse the trend on Saturday.
- Pro MMA Record: 23-6-0
- Muniz KOs: 4
- Muniz Submissions: 15
Jun Yong Park
With a record of 7-1 over his last eight bouts and a four-fight winning streak entering this bout, Park is unquestionably on the rise in the 185-pound weight class.
Following scorecard victories in his first four UFC bouts, the 32-year-old has recorded three consecutive submission finishes before his most prominent bout to date on Saturday.
- Pro MMA Record: 17-5-0
- Park KOs: 5
- Park Submissions: 6
Muniz vs. Park: Fight Tape Analysis
Momentum, fight IQ, and the striking offense will unquestionably favor Park, but we must highlight a tendency to grapple that’s assisted him in his current four-fight win streak. This advantage will be removed versus Muniz, the superior submission artist and the biggest threat to Park in this area since his most recent loss to Gregory Rodrigues.
Rodrigues and Muniz have a lot in common: two large Brazilians with a grappling prowess that shouldn’t be overlooked. I believe Muniz can employ a similar strategy to his Brazilian counterpart, who easily overcomes Park’s offense, albeit from a striking standpoint where Muniz will adopt a grappling one and cash as a significant underdog at UFC Vegas 83.
UFC Vegas 83 Main Card Odds & Fight Prediction
The UFC odds at OddsTrader have placed Muniz in a +180 underdog position due to a two-fight losing streak. However, they aren’t considering the level of opposition Saturday’s competitors have faced, and with the grappling edge removed, it’s difficult to ignore this excellent price on Muniz.
Through early takedown attempts and spammed submissions, Muniz is a live underdog in this spot, as I don’t believe Park possesses a strong enough takedown defense to prevent the Brazilian’s expected game plan.
UFC Pick: Muniz ML (+180) [1u returns 1.80u profit] at Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review)
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
