UFC Fight Night 179: Moraes vs Sandhagen betting tips

Moraes vs Sandhagen UFC betting preview

Petr Yan’s first defense of his UFC Bantamweight Championship is likely to come against Aljamain Sterling. The winner of that fight will likely take on the winner of UFC Fight Night 179’s main event on Saturday as Cory Sandhagen (12-2-0) faces Marlon Moraes (23-6-1). This should be a high-octane main event to continue the string of great fights that UFC fans have been treated to on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi this year.

Sandhagen was on an absolute tear heading into his fight against Sterling at UFC 250 in June. He entered that bout on a seven-fight winning streak that included a perfect 5-0 record through his first five UFC fights. Sterling caught Sandhagen in a rear-naked choke to put a stunning end to that highly anticipated fight, and Cory has been itching to return to the octagon to start another winning streak ever since.

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Moraes lost to Raphael Assuncao by split decision in his first fight with the UFC before stringing together four straight wins with the promotion that included a win over Sterling in 2017 and some revenge with a win over Assuncao in 2019. Moraes earned a title shot against Henry Cejudo at UFC 238 but suffered a technical knockout loss in the first round. He bounced back with a split decision win in his last fight against Jose Aldo, although many believe Aldo won that fight.

Both of these fighters go at a frantic pace and are more comfortable striking than wrestling, so expect the blows to be flying early and often. Sandhagen has a clear advantage in height and reach, and his unorthodox striking style could throw Moraes off. But on the other hand, Moraes has a lot more experience against high-ranked opponents and isn’t a stranger to taking on and defeating taller fighters.

This one could go either way. Sandhagen looks the part of a legitimate contender, and a win over Moraes would prove that he is one. But Moraes has already established himself as one and will be just as hungry to get another crack at the title. In what should be a great fight between two excellent strikers, we lean towards taking the value on Moraes at underdog odds here.