Ahead of UFC Vegas 62, we take a look at the odds and predictions for the main card
The UFC returns this weekend with an action-packed card this weekend. The event will be headlined by the main event showdown between Alexa Grasso and Viviane Araujo. In the co-main event, UFC veteran Cub Swanson squares off against Jonathan Martinez in the bantamweight division. The card also features a fight between two of the most exciting flyweights in the world – Askar Askarov and Brandon Royval. Combat sports star Nate Diaz’s teammate and training partner Nicholas Maximov will also be fighting on the card against Jacob Malkoun.
Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo
Alexa Grasso is a Mexican mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight division of the UFC. She is currently ranked fifth in the UFC women’s flyweight rankings. She made her professional MMA debut in December 2012 in the local circuit in Mexico. In her first five fights, she amassed a perfect record of five wins as a professional.
Grasso went on to fight under the Invicta FC banner and made her promotional debut on September 6, 2014 against Ashley Cummins at Invicta FC 8. She won the fight via unanimous decision. In her second fight for the promotion, Grasso faced Alida Gray on December 5, 2014 at Invicta FC 10. She won the fight via TKO in the first round.
On August 11, 2016 Grasso made the highly-yearned switch to the UFC. She faced Heather Jo Clark on November 5, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson in Mexico City, Mexico. Grasso won the fight by unanimous decision.
Grasso went on to fight Felice Herrig next on February 4, 2017 at UFC Fight Night. She lost the fight by unanimous decision. This was the first defeat in her professional career.
She had a turbulent on-off run with victories over Randa Markos and Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and defeats against Tatiana Suarez and Carla Esparza. Grasso has gotten back to winning ways with three back-to-back victories in as many fights.
Her opponent, Viviane Araujo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist. She was the former Pancrase strawweight champion and currently competes in the flyweight division. She is currently ranked No.6 in the UFC women’s flyweight rankings.
Araújo fought most of her early MMA career primary in Brazil and Japan, notable under Jungle Fight and Pancrase where she was the formal Pancrase strawweight champion prior signed by UFC.
The Brazilian made her much-awaited UFC debut against Talita Bernardo, replacing the injured Melissa Gatto, on May 11, 2019 at UFC 237. She won the fight via knockout in the third round. Her second fight came on July 27, 2019 at UFC 240, against Alexis Davis. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
She is currently coming off a victory against Andrea Lee on May 14, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 36. Despite surviving an early knockdown, Araújo won the bout via unanimous decision.
Odds- According to Vegas Insider, Grasso is the -175 favorite, while Araujo is the +150 underdog
Prediction– Alexa Grasso is riding on a good momentum wave with a solid three-fight win streak. Besides that, the Mexican has a much more well rounded approach which will come in handy against Araujo. As for the Brazilian, she needs to use her grappling to test Grasso. The black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu has four victories by submission while Grasso has one loss by submission.
Jonathan Martinez vs. Cub Swanson
A professional since 2004, Cub Swanson is an absolute legend of the sport. He holds the most post-fight bonus awards in featherweight division history with eight. He has been competing in the UFC since 2011.
Swanson is known for his elite creative striking. Besides that, he has some sneaky kicks and sharp hands that stifle opponents. Swanson often sets up with a left hook, then follow up with a ducking roundhouse kick to the head. He also invests well with body shots, which he did efficiently against Kron Gracie.
His opponent Jonathan Martinez is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the bantamweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Martinez started his professional MMA career since 2014. He amassed a record of 9–1 prior to being signed by UFC. He is currently riding on a three-fight win streak.
Prediction: Jonathan Martinez has youth on his side while Swanson has experience. We pick Martinez to win by TKO in the later rounds owing to his dynamic fighting style.
Other fight odds
(Light Heavyweight) Misha Cirkunov +185 vs. Alonzo Menifield -225 [favorite]
(Bantamweight) Raphael Assuncao +250 vs Victor Henry -300 [favorite]
(Flyweight) Tatsuro Taira -250 [favorite] vs. C.J. Vergara +200
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