MMA Preview – Kyle Nelson vs Blake Bilder at UFC 289
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
KYLE NELSON VS BLAKE BILDER FACTS
When is UFC 289? Sunday 11th June, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 289? Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 289? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 289
What channel is UFC 289 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 289? 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!
KYLE NELSON VS BLAKE BILDER LOWDOWN
Kyle Nelson (13-5-1) made his UFC debut in 2018 sitting proudly on a 12-1 record. However, he has only fought six times since picking up the solitary win. That was a knockout over Polo Reyes (2019) in Mexico, but he went on to get clapped by Billy Quarantillo (2020) in the third round, outpointed by Jai Herbert (2022) and figh t to a draw with Doo Ho Choi (2023) who got a pointed deducted due to a headbutt.
Blake Bilder (8-0-1) on the other hand does not know what it feels like to lose. We first saw him on the Contender Series submitting Alex Morgan (2022) in the first round to bag his UFC contract. He made his debut in February this year and earnt a solid unanimous decision win over Shane Young.
KYLE NELSON VS BLAKE BILDER PREDICTION
Nelson is fighting for his career here. He is a powerful striker and a decent wrestler as we saw in his last fight. He took that route as Choi is a very dangerous striker so it will be interesting to see what strategy he employs here as Bilder is a grappler by trade.
He is very aggressive in his pursuit of the takedown, and we do not expect him to waste much time in pouncing on a leg. We expect them to start exchanging on the feet and unless Nelson lands early, we expect Bilder’s pace to overwhelm Nelson.
Bilder is likely to get Nelson on his back eventually and rain down the ground-and-pound to seal a decision, but the value is on Nelson.
Prediction: Bilder via Decision
Value bet: Nelson to win
