- What: UFC Vegas 83
- Who: Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez
- Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023
- Location: UFC Apex
- Time: Prelims (TBA) Main Card (10:00 p.m. ET)
- How to Watch: ESPN+
The fight the UFC initially booked to headline its return to Shanghai was moved to Las Vegas in early November. The matchup, which now serves as the main event of UFC Vegas 83, is a bantamweight scrap between top-15-ranked fighters Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez. Here is some information on Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez before we discuss the betting breakdown for the UFC Vegas 83 fight card.
Song Yadong (20-7-1-1) has been with the UFC since 2017. The 25-year-old is currently the No. 7 fighter in the official UFC bantamweight rankings. Song is 2-1 in his past three fights, with “Performance of the Night” bonus-winning victories over Marlon Moraes and Ricky Simon, bookending a doctor stoppage loss to Cory Sandhagen.
Chris Gutierrez (20-5-2) has been a member of the UFC roster since 2018. The 32-year-old is ranked 14th in the UFC’s 135-pound division. Gutierrez was on an eight-fight unbeaten streak before he dropped a decision to Pedro Munhoz in April. He is coming off an October 2023 decision win over Alateng Heili.
Before we look at the best bets for the Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez matchup at UFC Vegas 83, check out the best UFC betting sites and where you can find the best odds on all the UFC fights.
Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez betting odds
Fighters | |||||
Chris Gutierrez | +285 | +270 | +260 | +240 | +275 |
Yadong Song | -360 | -350 | -360 | -375 | -345 |
Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez betting breakdown
This bout features two bantamweights who have slowly and steadily climbed the UFC 135-pound rankings. Over his past three fights, Song Yadong has shown he is ready to face top competition in the UFC. That the 25-year-old is willing to fight a foe who is much lower ranked than he is in the division shows that Song is confident that he will pick up a win in this main event.
Song is a striker with an above-average ground game if he is forced to tangle on the mat. The Chinese fighter is quick on his feet, but he doesn’t put himself out of position. He has the speed to move in and out without getting tagged, and he sports impressive power for a 135-pound fighter, racking up nine knockout victories. In addition to his offensive prowess, Song rarely puts himself in bad positions.
Chris Gutierrez is not a one-trick pony, but his game is based around his heavy and fast leg kicks. With his style based around fighting at distance, Guterrez can sometimes employ a low defensive guard. That could work against him against a fighter as fast and powerful as Song.
Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez statistical breakdown
The expectation is that the main event of UFC Vegas 83 will be a striking battle. Both these men are active with their attacks, but Gutierrez is the more effective striker, landing 5.04 significant strikes per minute over Song’s rate of 4.61 per 60 seconds. Gutierrez is also the more accurate striker, landing 57 percent of his attempts, while Song lands at a rate of 42 percent. Defensively, Gutierrez gets tagged 2.73 times per minute, and Song absorbs 3.77 significant strikes per minute.
In his two most recent fights, 50 percent or more of Gutierrez’s landed strikes were to the legs of his opponents. Meanwhile, in his most recent fight, Song landed 52 percent to the head of Ricky Simon, 25 percent to the body, and 21 percent to the legs.
Neither fighter has a reach advantage in this fight as they both have a 67” reach. Gutierrez is one inch taller.
Best Bets: UFC Vegas 83 main event – Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez
Chris Gutierrez is a live betting underdog, especially if he can land his potent leg kicks early and slow the attacks and movement of Song Yadong. However, the betting favorite, Song, will be ready for Gutierrez’s style, and he will be able to counter him. The betting pick is for Song Yadong to win via knockout.
Best UFC Vegas 83 Main Event Betting Pick: Song Yadong to beat Chris Gutierrez via knockout.
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