MacMally’s UFC 299 Preview
Who is ready for a UFC 299 betting preview? That’s why you’re here, so let’s get on with it. MacMally, over to you…
Ladies and gentlemen, UFC 299 is upon us. The card some fans would say is bigger than UFC 300. Spoiler alert, it’s not. That doesn’t take anything away from 299, however, it’s an absolute A+ of a card. Top to bottom bangers from the prelims to the main event. It remains to be seen which card reigns superior in the territory of deliverance from paper but let’s dive in on my key matchups.
Kevin “Trailblazer” Holland vs. Michael “Venom” Page
First up on my UFC 299 betting preview, we’ve got a welterweight showdown that promises fireworks, as Kevin Holland takes on Michael ‘Venom’ Page. Holland, with his knack for snappy comebacks and even snappier hands, is always one to watch. But MVP? The man’s striking is an art form – a lethal ballet of knees, elbows, and punches that come from angles that don’t even exist in grade school math textbooks. Both fighters are dynamic, explosive, and have highlight reels that could run longer than the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Still, Holland’s ground game could be the deciding factor here. MVP’s stand-up is second to none, but his age and resume tell me Holland’s versatility might just edge him ahead. I expect to see them feel each other out on their feet for a little bit and Kevin Holland clinching from a leaping strike from MVP and securing a choke after dragging him to the ground. Call it a hunch, but I’m taking Holland snagging a late submission after a bit of a showcase on the feet.
Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier vs. Benoit “God of War” Saint Denis
We’ve got Dustin Poirier stepping back into the octagon, ready to lock horns with Benoit Saint Denis. Most fighters with the resume and ranking of Poirier wouldn’t take a fight like this. Remember when Poirier said, “I’m not here for a long time, I’m here for a good time”? Well, guess what, he’s making good on that promise, facing off against an up-and-coming man who brings more heat than DP’s hot sauce. Saint-Denis, though a relative newcomer, has shown he’s got that dog in him, and the skill to support it. While BSD boasts a record that’s nothing short of impressive… let’s not forget, we’re talking about “The Diamond” here, a man who’s been through wars with the likes of Khabib, McGregor, and Gaethje. This fight? It’s Poirier’s to lose. The man’s skill set is one of the best not only in the division, but in the UFC. Dustin Poirier is better in every facet of the game. But has time or his last KO loss to Gaethje caught up to him? That’s not to say BSD might not be the real deal, he’s clearly going to be a contender in the future. If he smokes Poirier, I will admit I was wrong. I just hold Poirier to that high of a standard. Prediction? Poirier by submission, after a war on the feet and that’s me being conservative.
Sean “Sugar” O’Malley vs. Marlon “Chito” Vera 2
Finally, the main event brought to you in flashy hot pink Venum shorts. The bantamweight rematch between Sean O’Malley and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. Round one saw Chito hand O’Malley his first loss in a fight that was as controversial as it was captivating. But here we are, years later, with both fighters having evolved, their paths crossing once more in a twist of fate that feels almost Shakespearean. For anyone that doesn’t think that first fight was legitimate, it was. O’Malley got knocked out momentarily by those elbows. The leg kicks set it all up. Yeah, his foot didn’t work from the leg kicks but that’s the game. O’Malley’s striking, flashy, precise, and devastatingly effective, has only gotten better. But so has Chito’s game, resilience, power, and ground game are top-tier. This fight is a toss-up, a 50/50 split where either fighter could walk away with their hand raised. But something tells me O’Malley’s been burning the midnight oil, refining his game and revving up his defenses. Chito has undoubtedly faced the tougher competition in his UFC tenure, but Sean is still young and seemingly getting better and better. I think this fight might end up being a lot of measuring strikes from both fighters until someone slips up and gets caught on the feet or taken down following that and submitted. Most of the time, rematches following a heated finish in the first fight result in a stale matchup in the sequel due to over adjusting. I’m not saying it’s going to be boring; I just think we will see some hesitation at first. I think this fight goes to whoever presses the action more. That’s why I’m taking Sean O’Malley.
Only thing I know for certain, UFC 299 is going to be an absolute banger. There’s no way it can’t be. This card is STACKED. Enjoy the chingasos from Miami my friends!
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