Curtis Blaydes vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik Odds, Preview and Prediction, September 25 (9/25): UFC

Credit: photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports

 

Odds

Time (Main Card)	10:00 p.m. EST
Curtis Blaydes money line	-310
Jairzinho Rozenstruik money line	+250

 

Key stats

	Curtis Blaydes	Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Height	6'4	6'4
Weight	265	265
Reach	80'	78'
Record	14-3	12-2
Streak	L1	W1
Last 5	4-1	3-2

 

Preview

 

A Heavyweight showdown pits a pair of highly ranked fighters, as Curtis ‘Razor’ Blaydes takes on Jairzinho ‘Bigi Boi’ Rozenstruik. Blaydes enters this fight off a knockout defeat to Derrick Lewis. Prior to the defeat, Blaydes had won four consecutive fights. A legitimate title contender, Blaydes has been hampered by the fact that he has lost to the current Champion Francis Ngannou twice. Meanwhile, Rozenstruik is coming off an impressive knockout victory over Augusto Sakai. The Suriname native had been critiquing his hesitancy to strike, but it’s evident if he lands, his power can do the talking.

Prediction

This is a crucial fight for both men, as they both have title aspirations. Curtis Blaydes probably should have fought for a title, but the circumstances just weren’t in his favor. Unfortunately, title fights in the Heavyweight division only occur once or twice a year if lucky. Throw in the two losses to current Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou and Blaydes couldn’t be in a worse position. However, the powerful wrestler remains at the top of the division. Unless you have devastating knockout ability, Blaydes has proven to take anyone and everyone down at will. That sentiment will certainly be tested against Rozenstruik, who, although fairly untested, has shrugged off twenty four of the thirty takedowns attempted against him. With legitimate knockout power, Rozenstruik is the type of fighter that has given Blaydes problems.

As for a prediction, I have Blaydes. While I noted Rozenstruik’s exceptional takedown defense, there’s a difference between Blaydes and the rest of the division in the wrestling department. Blaydes is the UFC’s all-time leader in the Heavyweight division in takedowns with fifty nine. He also is the leader in control time and top position time. In other words, he’s in a class of his own. Obviously striking is not Blaydes forte, but he is heavy handed and the threat of the takedown leaves opponents vulnerable to getting cracked. I don’t see that scenario happening here, however I do believe Blaydes wrestling shuts down Rozenstruik. So with that said, I predict that Blaydes wins by decision.

PICK: Curtis Blaydes (-310)

 

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