UFC will host its first pay-per-view event of 2022 at the Honda Center, Anaheim, California on January 22. While the night will see Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou fight to unify the UFC heavyweight titles, a middleweight bout between Wellington Turman and Rodolfo Vieira will kick off the main card.

Both middleweights are coming off a 1-1 record in 2021. Hence, the Brazilians will look to begin the new year with a bang and make the most of their maiden main card PPV appearance to get noticed.

UFC 270: Wellington Turman stats

Wellington Turman (17-5) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist who made his UFC debut back in 2019. The 25-year-old was on a two-fight losing skid after winning his debut UFC bout. However, he returned to the win column in his last outing against Sam Alvey in 2021.

In the UFC, the Brazilian has landed 3.04 significant strikes per minute with a 47% striking accuracy. The orthodox fighter with a reach of 72″ stands tall at 6’0″. While his takedown defense is imperious, he will need to up his strike defense as he has absorbed 3.96 significant strikes.

UFC 270: Rodolfo Vieira stats

Vieira (8-1-0) is a former four-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, who drifted to MMA in 2018. He made his UFC debut in 2019 by submitting Oskar Piechota in the second round of their bout. The 32-year-old orthodox fighter has a reach of 73″ and stands at a height of  6’0″.

Rodolfo Vieira has connected 2.60 significant strikes per minute with a 49% significant strike rate. Concerningly, he has absorbed 4.04 strikes per minute, which could prove to be problematic.

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UFC 270- Rodolfo Vieira vs Wellington Turman: Analysis

Turman will walk into the octagon with a 1″ reach disadvantage against a foe who is a submission specialist. ‘The Black Belt Hunter’ has claimed 7/8 wins via submission and will look to do the same at UFC 270. However, ‘The Prodigy’ has a 100% takedown defense in the UFC and has never tapped. Moreover, the UFC striking stats are in his favor.

READ MORE- UFC 270: Ngannou vs Gane- Francis Ngannou vs Ciryl Gane: Prediction and Analysis

Hence, it appears Vieira will look to get this fight to the ground fast and use his takedown volume (averages 5.77 takedowns per 15 minutes) to test Turman’s defense and let his superior grappling skills come to the fore. By doing so, he will nullify his foe’s striking prowess and his own striking defense weaknesses.

PREDICTION- Rodolfo Vieira wins by submission in the first round.

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