MMA Preview – Andrei Arlovski vs Jared Vanderaa at UFC 271
ANDREI ARLOVSKI VS JARED VANDERAA FACTS
When is UFC 271? Sunday 13rd February, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 271? Toyota Center, Houston, Texas (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 271? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 271
What channel is UFC 271 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 271? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ANDREI ARLOVSKI VS JARED VANDERAA LOWDOWN
Although he will not admit it, Andrei Arlovski (30-20(2)) is the mighty gatekeeper of the heavyweight division, and he makes the UFC walk for the 37th time. He made his debut all the way back in 2000, became the undisputed champion in 2005 and is still slugging it out with the new crop of big boys. The most surprising thing is that he is still a very good fighter. He is more calculated these days and only lost once in his last five. That was Tom Aspinall (2021) who ran right through him eventually sealing a submission, but he closed the gate and earnt unanimous decisions over Philipe Lins (2020), Tanner Boser (2020), Chase Sherman (2021) and Carlos Felipe (2021).
Jared Vanderaa (12-6) only made his UFC debut last year after knocking out Harry Hunsucker (2020) on the Contender Series. He was given a tough debut in the form of Sergey Spivak who TKO’d him in the second round. Vanderaa bounced back with a unanimous decision over Justin Tafa but was handed another strong grappler in Alexander Romanov who also captured a TKO in the second round.
ANDREI ARLOVSKI VS JARED VANDERAA PREDICTION
This is going to be an attritional battle fought on the feet and in the clinch. Vanderaa likes to initiate the clinch and wear on his opponents down with his weight. He has to drop a few pounds to make the 265 lbs limit so he will be around 25-30 lbs heavier than Arlovski on the night which could make a difference in the clinch.
Vanderaa also boasts a three-inch reach advantage which he can utilize with his jab setting up power shots such as his head kick. He has the tools to give Arlovski problems, but he will not bring anything the veteran has not seen before.
Arlovski needs to call upon all of his experience to keep control of the fight and not let it slip into a brawl. We expect this to be a back-and-forth battle that goes to the bell. It is tough to call, but we are feel The Pitbull’s experience and a steady flow of leg kicks will help him dictate the tempo and slow Vanderaa down enough to sway the judges. We can see a split decision here, in which case, the underdog is the best bet.
Prediction: Arlovski via Decision
Value Bet: Vanderaa via Decision
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