MMA Preview – Frankie Edgar vs Chris Gutierrez at UFC 281
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
FRANKIE EDGAR VS CHRIS GUTIERREZ FACTS
When is UFC 281? Sunday 13th November, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 281? Madison Square Garden, New York, (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 281? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 281
What channel is UFC 281 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 281? 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!
FRANKIE EDGAR VS CHRIS GUTIERREZ LOWDOWN
Father time has finally caught up with the former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar (24-10-1). He has lost five of his last seven with his chin finally crumbling. He got uppercutted into the audience by Brian Ortega (2018), sparked out by the Korea Zombie (2019) and is coming off two more devastating knockouts – a flying knee from Cory Sandhagen (2021) and a front kick from Marlon Vera (2021). He did pick up a couple vintage decision wins in between those losses against Cub Swanson (2016) and Pedro Munhoz (2020) but he needs a break from the upper echelon.
Chris Gutierrez (18-4-2) is not in the top bracket yet but he is unbeaten in his last seven and salivating at the prospect of adding Edgar’s name to the record. The only blip in those fights was a draw against Cody Durden (2020) but he has gone on to earn a unanimous decision over Andre Ewell (2021), a tighter split decision over Felipe Colares (2021) and a beautiful spinning back elbow knockout over Danaa Batgerel.
FRANKIE EDGAR VS CHRIS GUTIERREZ PREDICTION
Gutierrez has the hot ticket. Everyone wants the opportunity to raise their stock by taking on a legend who is on a serious decline. Although this should be Edgar’s swansong, he is still an exceptional fighter. Few men have wins over the featherweights and bantamweights he has lost to and his experience and skill set still has to be respected.
The worry for him is his chin which has finally deteriorated. Gutierrez is also a power striker with nearly half od his wins coming via knockout, but the majority of his success comes in his leg kicks. They are ferocious and he only needs to land a couple to disable the movement.
Kicking Edgar’s legs is always risk. His muscle memory is fixed to catch kicks and turn them into takedowns. His relentless chain wrestling will also be his clear strategy considering their skill sets. His cardio is off the charts and it is not worth risking getting sparked out again on his last showing.
That said, Gutierrez knows exactly what to expect from the legend. He will be drilling his takedown defence and tuning his leg kicks and elbows as well has front kicks and uppercuts down the middle which has been very successful against Edgar recently.
We are backing Gutierrez’s power with a clear blueprint in the back pocket, but there is some value on an Edgar decision considering the odds.
Prediction: Gutierrez via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Edgar via Decision
