Bryan Battle vs. Gilbert Urbina Odds, Preview and Prediction, (August 28): UFC

Credit: photo by Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

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Preview

The TUF 29 Middleweight finale takes the co-main event honors, as Bryan Battle clashes with Gilbert Urbina. Originally, Battle was supposed to take on Tresean Gore. Unfortunately Gore suffered a knee injury and Urbina, who lost in the semi-finals to Gore, gets a second chance to win this tournament. Meanwhile, Battle has exceeded expectations. Picked in the final round of the draft, no one saw Battle being the one to make it to the end. Battle fared excellently though on the show, winning a decision in the quarter-finals and then submitting Andre Petoski to move onto the finale.

Prediction

From the tape I’ve seen, Bryan Battle seems to have a grasp on all aspects of mixed martial arts. I wouldn’t say he is necessarily strong in any one area, but he does a good job of putting it all together. Perhaps the clinch is where he thrives, landing short elbows and knees. He also does a good job of landing strikes at a high output, as well as getting out of grappling exchanges. Gilbert Urbina seems to be comfortable standing, but will latch onto your back should he be given the opportunity. 

As for a prediction, I have Battle winning. Before joining the Ultimate Fighter, Urbina fought the majority of his career at Welterweight. He is undersized in this weight class and I believe when he fought Tresean Gore, he was hurt often on the feet. Obviously Gore is powerful, but also generally speaking, power tends to increase the higher the weight class. Now, I’m not not necessarily sure Battle can knock Urbina out, but I do believe he can outwork him every round en route to a decision victory.

PICK: Bryan Battle  (-160)

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