MMA Preview – Sean O’Malley vs Kris Moutinho at UFC 264
SEAN O’MALLEY VS KRIS MOUTINHO FACTS
When is UFC 264? Sunday 11th July, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 264? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 264? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 264
What channel is UFC 264 on? BT Sport Box Office (£19.99) BT Sport 2 (prelims)
Where can I stream UFC 264? 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!
SEAN O’MALLEY VS KRIS MOUTINHO LOWDOWN
Thankfully, Sean O’Malley (13-1) is still on the card after Louis Smolka had to pull out with an injury. He is a star of the bantamweight division and has still held on to his stock after getting TKO’d by Marlon Vera back in August last year. It was a pinpoint calf kick that hit a nerve and disabled O’Malley sparking the beginning of the end, but he picked up where he left off in smoking Jose Alberto Quinonez and Eddie Wineland when he met Thomas Almeida in March. He picked him apart and eventually put the Brazilian out of his misery in the third round.
Kris Moutinho (9-4) deserves a lot of credit for taking this fight, but he is being fed to the wolves here and surely there was someone else in the division that was able to step up to fight O’Malley. Moutinho is very experienced with a decent amateur background. He has applied most of his trade for Classic Entertainment and Sports MMA where he went 8-4. He got knocked out by Tony Gravely and Johnny Campbell in 2019 but responded with a knockout of his own against Ashiek Ajim. He then made his debut for Cage Fury Fighting Championships wrapping up a brilliant arm-triangle on Andrew Saiss and now all of a sudden, he is fighting on a Conor McGregor card.
SEAN O’MALLEY VS KRIS MOUTINHO PREDICTION
O’Malley is understandably one of the biggest betting favourites we have seen in a while so considering the odds, the only value is a small bet on Moutinho to win. However, there is only a slight chance of that happening and O’Malley will have to be extremely complacent to make a mistake.
O’Malley is still only 26 but he is one of the most polished strikers in the division and the combination of his technique, range and power make him a serious threat to any fighter in the division. He has a wide range of attacks targeting the whole body and he will have even more confidence here so we can expect a show.
Moutinho is a tough and aggressive fighter. He will also only be giving up two inches in reach, but O’Malley will tower above him, and he has the defence to get out of any trouble Moutinho will have to offer.
This should be a battering from O’Malley, and he is likely to open-up with leg kicks and then start to throw a flurry of flashy strikes – any of which could cause a knockout. Considering Moutinho has been knocked out twice already, it will only be a matter of time before O’Malley lands a killer blow. However, do not be surprised if O’Malley has the arrogance to look for a submission at some point.
Prediction: O’Malley via KO/TKO
Value Bet: Moutinho to win
