Stephen Thompson is regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in UFC betting. Yet he is even money against the favored Geoff Neal in Saturday’s main event. Thompson has trained with former welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre. Concurrently, he is training with former UFC middleweight champ Chris Weidman. Six fights are on the Saturday ESPN+ main card for Fight Night. One look at the betting lines shows tremendous parity. Which means competitive fights. Most important is the handicapping challenge that comes with that.
UFC Fight Night Thompson vs. Neal – Main Card
| Date and Time: | Saturday, December 19, 2020, 7 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| UFC Fight Night Main Card TV Coverage: | ESPN+ |
Welterweight Bout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Stephen Thompson | EV |
| Geoff Neal | -120 |
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson has an offshore betting record of 15 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw. By contrast Geoff “Handz of Steel” Neal has 13 wins and 2 losses.
The last time out for Thompson was November 2, 2019, against Vicente Luque. Thompson scored a unanimous decision win. With the win, Thompson snapped a two-bout losing streak. Since his loss to Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight title, Thompson has lost three of his last five.
Late on Geoff Neal has won seven fights in a row. Neal is coming off a first-round technical knockout win over Mike Perry. December 14, 2019, was the date for UFC 245.
Bantamweight Bout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jose Aldo | -145 |
| Marlon Vera | +125 |
Overall, Jose Aldo has a career record of 28 wins and 7 losses. Marlon “Chito” Vera has 16 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw.
Jose Aldo is a former three-time UFC featherweight champ. Also, is he remembered for being the Sherdog 2009 Fighter of the Year? Aldo has lost three fights in a row and six of his last nine. Consider that Vera has won six of his last seven.
Welterweight Bout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Michael Pereira Lima | -125 |
| Khaos Williams | +105 |
Michel “Demolidor” Pereira Lima has a mark of 24 wins and 11 losses with the UFC Betting odds. Counter to that is Khaos “The Oxfighter” Williams with a record of 10 wins and 1 loss.
Michael Pereira is coming off a third-round submission win over Zelim Imadaev. As a result, he stopped a two-bout losing streak.
Bantamweight Bout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Marlon Moraes | -145 |
| Rob Font | +125 |
In sum Marlon “Magic” Moraes has 23 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw. Rob Font has 17 wins and 4 losses.
On the whole Marlon Moraes has dropped two of his most recent three fights. Coty Sandhagen beat him by second-round technical knockout on October 10, 2020.
Heavyweight Bout
| FightER | Odds |
|---|---|
| Marcin Tybura EVEN | EV |
| Greg Hardy | -120 |
On the whole Marcin “Tybur” Tybura has 20 wins and 6 losses. Greg “Prince of War” Hardy has 7 wins and 2 losses.
Welterweight Bout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Anthony Pettis | -230 |
| Alex Morono | +190 |
Anthony “Showtime” Pettis has 23 wins and 10 losses. Accordingly, Alex “The Great White” Morono has 17 wins and 6 losses.
UFC Fight Night Thompson vs. Neal SBG Free Picks
Marlon Vera is in far better form than Jose Aldo. While Stephen Thompson is getting the right price against Geoff Neal. Neal lacks the Thompson body of work.
UFC Fight Night Best Bets: Marlon Vera and Stephen Thompson.