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UFC Mexico City Preliminary Card Best Bets: Puelles and Ziam Set for Clash of Styles

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JUNE 12: Fares Ziam of France celebrates defeating Luigi Vendramini of Brazil by decision during their UFC 263 lightweight match at Gila River Arena on June 12, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Oddstrader

The UFC travels to CDMX this weekend as the scorching heat and high elevation of Mexico hosts 13 exciting MMA bouts, and we’re covering all your betting needs for a fight card stacked with Ciudad de Mexico talent.

Let’s waste no more time and dive right into the most noteworthy betting picks for the UFC Mexico City preliminary card.

Picks Summary

  • Edgar Chairez Wins By KO/TKO or Submission (-225)
  • Fares Ziam ML (-210)

*All odds from Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)


Edgar Chairez vs. Daniel Lacerda Da Silva

UFC Mexico Flyweight Preliminary Bout

Saturday, February 24, 2024 – 08:50 PM ET at Arena CDMX


Edgar Chairez

Mexico’s own Edgar Chairez currently sits with a 0-1 UFC record, but this number doesn’t tell the whole story. He actually fought Daniel Lacerda last September, made him tap within four minutes, and amended his debut loss to an ultra-talented Tatsuro Taira.

Unfortunately, the result was overturned due to a “premature stoppage,” but anybody with two eyes can see Lacerda tapped. Now, after a failed attempt at rescheduling this bout, Chairez can impress his home nation and seek the win he should already have on his record.

  • Chairez Pro Record: 10-5-0
  • Chairez KO/TKO Wins: 4
  • Chairez Submission Wins: 6

Daniel Lacerda

Daniel Lacerda is wild and reckless, two factors that can always assist an up-and-coming MMA talent on the regional scene. However, arriving at the UFC has been a huge wake-up call, as the Brazilian has suffered four consecutive defeats, all of which ended by KO/TKO or submission. Not forgetting that he’d be 0-5 with five losses inside the distance if the Chairez result weren’t overturned.

  • Lacerda Pro Record: 11-5-0
  • Lacerda KO/TKO Wins: 5
  • Lacerda Submission Wins: 6

Chairez vs. Lacerda: Fight Tape Analysis

The defining attribute, or lack thereof, surrounding Lacerda’s skillset would be his cardio. He doesn’t have enough in the tank to go beyond five minutes and does a great job of exhausting himself with a sporadic style.

Now, the UFC is putting him on a plane to Mexico City, a location renowned for its high elevation and challenging climate for athletes. I think the result will be obvious, and all Chairez needs to do is implement a similar game plan the last time he won or survive five minutes and watch his opponent wilt like a dying flower.

UFC Mexico City Preliminary Card Odds & Prediction

The UFC odds have Chairez as a significant betting favorite, but you may as well boost the numbers with a KO/TKO and submission prop because this fight isn’t going the distance.

Larceda has proven that he has 2-3 minutes to finish a fight before completely gassing, and with Mexico’s elevation, it could be even less. Chairez is no world-beater but doesn’t need it to overcome his weekend opposition.

Chairez by KO/TKO or Submission: Supporting UFC Mexico Facts

  • Lacerda has lost all four of his UFC bouts
  • Lacerda’s five pro career defeats were by KO/TKO or submission
  • Lacerda has never fought beyond the second round

UFC Pick: Chairez by KO/TKO or Submission (-225) [2.25u returns 1u profit] at Bet365


Claudio Puelles vs. Fares Ziam

UFC Mexico Lightweight Preliminary Bout

Saturday, February 24, 2024 – 08:25 PM ET at Arena CDMX


Claudio Puelles

Kneebar or bust is Claudio Puelles’ chance of victory rolled into three words. The Peruvian lightweight is damn good at leglocks, but this isn’t going to provide him with a prosperous career in the UFC, and without noteworthy advancements in other areas of the fight game, he’s a huge fade at the bookies moving forward.

  • Puelles Pro Record: 12-3-0
  • Puelles KO/TKO Wins: 2
  • Puelles Submission Wins: 7

Fares Ziam

Early career losses placed a few question marks around the skillset of France’s Fares Ziam, but aged just 26 and under the tutelage of Henri Hooft, the Kill Cliff FC product has undoubtedly evolved since his most recent loss to Terrance McKinney.

  • Ziam Pro Record: 14-4-0
  • Ziam KO/TKO Wins: 4
  • Ziam Submission Wins: 5

Puelles vs. Ziam: Fight Tape Analysis

Takedown defense is often an issue for fighters stemming from a kickboxing background, and as a Muay Thai striker, Ziam fell into this category. However, his evolution has been evident, and we watched him stuff several takedowns in his two most recent wins. This allows him to fight his fight and totally outclass the opposition via a kickboxing war.

In contrast, Puelles hasn’t changed; he hunts kneebars and looks to submit his opponents from the opening bell to the final seconds. Sure, he can wrestle, and the kneebars have been successful, but how long can this style survive amongst the elite? Well, ask Dan Hooker the same question.

UFC Mexico City Preliminary Card Odds & Prediction

The UFC pricing at our top sportsbooks has made Ziam a betting favorite because his path to victory is clear. The same could be said for Puelles, but as previously mentioned, the Frenchman is consistently evolving his grappling game.

With a significant size and striking advantage, alongside a newly found takedown defense, backing Ziam on the moneyline feels like the smart move this weekend versus an opponent that’s easy to plan for and has been absent since November 2022.

Ziam Moneyline: Supporting UFC Mexico City Facts

  • Puelles has been sidelined since 2022
  • Ziam stuffed 6 of 6 takedown attempts in his last fight
  • Ziam is riding a two-fight win streak

UFC Pick: Fares Ziam ML (-210) [2.10u returns 1u profit] at Bet365

*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.

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