MMA Preview – Rodolfo Vieira vs Wellington Turman at UFC 270
RODOLFO VIEIRA VS WELLINGTON TURMAN FACTS
When is UFC 270? Sunday 23rd December, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 270? Honda Center, Anaheim, California (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 270? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 270
What channel is UFC 270 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 270? 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!
RODOLFO VIEIRA VS WELLINGTON TURMAN LOWDOWN
For all Rodolfo Vieira’s (8-1) accolades, everyone remembers him for getting submitted by Anthony Hernandez (2021). The Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend and decorated world champion stormed his was to 7-0 strangling opponents for fun including his first two UFC foes and talented grapplers – Oskar Piechota (2019) and Saparbek Safarov (2020). He was expected to add another submission when he took on Hernandez but gassed out so bad, Hernandez capitalized with his own submission notching one of the most memorable fight outcomes in recent times. It was an embarrassing loss for Vieira, but he got back to old ways five months later when he wrapped up Dustin Stoltzfus up in a rear-naked choke in July last year.
Wellington Turman (17-5) is also a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and will be keen to show off his own skills. We have not seen much of them so far in the UFC as he has had a tough ride going 2-3. He lost a split decision to Karl Roberson (2019) on his debut and replied with a unanimous decision over Markus Perez (2019). However, he then suffered two first-round knockouts in a row to Andrew Sanchez (2020) and Bruno Silva (2021). Fortunately, he is also coming off a win despite getting a couple points deducted for eye pokes – earning a split decision over Sam Alvey.
RODOLFO VIEIRA VS WELLINGTON TURMAN PREDICTION
Turman will have drilled his takedown defence over and over again in camp, but with that suspect chin he cannot afford to take the submission wizard lightly on the feet. That is what he did to Sanchez who was not expected to pose a threat with his hands, but he switched the lights off in dramatic fashion.
That said, Vieira is going to hunt the takedown from the bell. If his cardio has improved, it should only be a matter of time even though Turman has never been taken down in the UFC. Vieira’s lack of cardio is alarming and unsustainable in the UFC and for his ego, he has to have been working hard on it since the Hernandez fight.
He made some adjustments in his last fight fighting more patiently and we expect him to be more tactical again here and not rush for the finish. We expect him to eventually take Turman down and even though Turman is a black belt, Vieira is levels above and should wrap up another sub.
Prediction: Vieira via Submission - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Turman via Decision
