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The UFC invades Asia when it takes its act to the Sajik Arena in Busan, South Korea for UFC Fight Night 165: Edgar vs Korean Zombie. In the main event, South Korea’s own Chang Sung Jun, also known as the Korean Zombie, will take on Frankie “The Answer” Edgar in the main event.
The undercard prelims is also a seven-fight barn burner which will be topped by Ciryl Gane and Tanner Boser who tangle in a heavyweight scrap. Korea’s Seung Woo Choi will fight Australia’s Suman Mokhtarian in the prelims as well. Let’s take a look at some of the prelims bouts which have good betting value.
Ciryl Gane vs Tanner Boser
Ciryl Gane is the heavyweight division’s latest prospect. The Frenchman is Francis Ngannou’s training partner and is both a knockout and submission threat. He will be fighting for the third time in four months and is an undefeated 5-0 with two knockouts and three submission wins. Gane stands 6-4 with a reach of 82 inches and fights out of the orthodox stance. He is 2-0 with two submission wins in the UFC.
Tanner Boser fights out of Shaved Bears MMA and is a veteran competitor from Canada. The 28-year old has a record of 17-5 with 8 knockouts and 2 wins by submission. In his Octagon debut last October, Boser defeated Daniel Spitz by decision. The Bulldozer stands 6-2 with a reach of 75 inches and fights out of the orthodox stance. Boser is 5-3-1 in his last nine bouts.
Boser is a well-traveled veteran and has plenty of experience. However, he does not fave the ability to finish fights and isn’t that athletic to be special. He moves a lot around the octagon and has a good arsenal of leg kicks. Gane is a former kickboxing prospect and has drawn comparisons to training partner Francis Ngannou although he doesn’t have the Predator’s one-punch KO power. His Defense is a weakness right now but given his opponent’s lack of power, this should be an easy win for Gane.
Prediction: Cyril Gane
Seung Woo Choi vs Suman Mokhtarian
Seung Woo Choi fights out of the MOB Training Center and hails from South Korea. This 27-year old ended a 17-month hiatus last April and lost to Movsar Evloev via decision. Choi fought three months later and was submitted by Gavin Tucker. The Korean bruiser stands 6 feet tall and has a reach of 74 inches while fighting out of the orthodox stance. He has a record of 7-3 with 5 knockouts.
Suman Mokhtarian was Stipe Miocic’s second pick at The Ultimate Fighter 27 but lost in the opening round to Ricky Steele. He earned a fight in the Finale but he suffered a first round stoppage loss at the hands of Sodiq Yussuf. The 27-year old Australian fights out of the American Top Team and has a record of 8-1 with 1 knockout and six wins by submission. He stands 5-8 with a reach of 72 inches and is an orthodox fighter.
Choi
-290
Mokhtarian
+250
Odds were taken from BetOnline as of 12/20/19
Mokhtarian is an aggressive fighter who loves to pressure his opponents. But while he dominated weaker opposition in Australia, Mokhtarian had a rude awakening in his maiden UFC bout, getting knocked out by Sodiq Yusuff in December 2018. Choi possesses a big frame for a featherweight and while he is a nice prospect, he is sometimes too patient in waiting to pull the trigger. He also lacks the takedown defense to avoid getting dragged to the mat. However, Mokhtarian is a step-down in level of opposition for the Korean and if he keeps out of range and not get caught, he wins this by decision.
Prediction: Seung Woo Choi
Matt Schnell vs Alexandre Pantoja
Matt Schnell is the 9th ranked UFC flyweight. The 29-year old from Missouri is a former Legacy Fighting Alliance flyweight champion and was one of the contestants in the TUF Tournament of Champions. Schnell lost in the quarterfinals of that event to Tim Elliott. After losing his first two UFC bouts, he’s won four straight times inside the octagon. Schnell is 5-8 tall with a reach of 70 inches and is an orthodox fighter.
Alexandre Pantoja is the #4 ranked flyweight in the UFC. The Cannibal is 29 years old and hails from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. He is a former Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Shooto Brazil flyweight champion. He was a semi-finalist at the TUF Tournament of Champions. Pantoja has a record of 21-4 with 7 knockouts and 8 wins by submission. Pantoja has wins over Brandon Moreno and Wilson Reis but is coming off a loss to Deivison Figueredo.
Schnell
+205
Pantoja
-240
Odds were taken from BetOnline as of 12/20/19
Pantoja gives up three inches in height and three inches in reach to Schnell but Pantoja has the advantage when it comes to technical ability. He also has the pop in his punch that can put to sleep Schnell and his suspect chin. I think that Schnell’s best chance here is to win by knockout, which is possible. However, given Pantoja’s performance against Jussier Formiga and Deivison Figueredo, I don’t think that Schnell can do it here.
Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja
Heili Alateng vs Ryan Benoit
Heili Alateng is known as the Mongolian Knight. The 28-year old from Beijing, China fights out of Burigude and stands 5-5 tall with a reach of 66 inches while fighting out of the orthodox stance. Alateng earned a unanimous decision win over Danaa Batgerel in his Octagon debut last August in China. He is a veteran of the One Championship, Road FC and RUFF.
Ryan Benoit is the 13th ranked flyweight contender in the UFC. The 30-year old from San Diego, California competed for Shark Fights and the MFC. He has been fighting since 2009 and has compiled a record of 10-5 with 8 knockouts and 1 submission. Benoit is 3-4 in the UFC and has alternated losses and wins during his Octagon tenure. His last UFC bout came in 2017 when he scored a knockout win over Ashkan Mokhtarian.
Alateng
-110
Benoit
-110
Odds were taken from BetOnline as of 12/20/19
Benoit has knockout power and he also possesses a good scrambling ability. However, I don’t think he’s improved much of his striking technique or wrestling since he joined the UFC. Instead, he’s shown several weaknesses which Alateng can take advantage of. For example, his poor takedown defense could lead him to struggle on the ground here. Benoit overextends and that leaves him open for a right cross from an excellent counter-puncher opponent. I think Alateng catches Benoit with a bomb here and ends his night early.
Prediction: Heili Alateng
