A battle at the Last Chance Saloon between middleweights Bruno Silva and Chris Weidman stands out as a featured undercard attraction on this weekend’s UFC Fight Night, taking place this Saturday, March 30, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Both Silva and Weidman have been on extended losing streaks that have put their UFC careers in certain danger, and we don’t expect the long-suffering Weidman to cross the finishing line.
UFC odds have Silva as a -260 favorite, and the declining Weidman is a +200 underdog.
Chris Weidman vs Bruno Silva fight odds
Method of Victory | Weidman | Silva |
---|---|---|
To win outright | +195 | -250 |
To win by KO/TKO | +1,350 | -125 |
To win by points | +405 | +2,500 |
To win by submission | +750 | +1,300 |
Draw | +2,500 | +2,500 |
Odds courtesy of Bet99 on March 28, 2024.
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Weidman vs Silva picks
Fight prediction: Bruno Silva ML
To say that Chris Weidman is past his best would be an understatement. The former middleweight champion has won twice in his last nine fights, been knocked out in all but one of those defeats, and he looks progressively worse each time he gets back into the octagon.
When he suffered a grotesque leg injury to Uriah Hall in 2021, that should have been the end of it all, but he came back for more punishment against the light-hitting Brad Tavares who took him the distance.
Prediction: Bruno Silva moneyline (-260 at Bet99)
Fight best bet: Bruno Silva to win by KO/TKO
Six of Weidman’s seven losses have come by stoppage. If he can’t clinch or drag the fight to the ground, the former middleweight champion no longer has the mobility or damage resistance to win a striking battle. Silva is crude, but he’s strong and will not let up if he can connect with a big shot.
Weidman’s striking defense has suffered and he’ll inevitably take shots from Silva. While the former champion possesses slight advantages in height and reach, he’ll struggle to keep his younger opponent on the outside and won’t be quick to the trigger to capitalize on his mistakes. That surgically repaired leg is an easy target for Silva and after a few good whacks, Weidman should resemble a sitting duck.
That lack of mobility and his recent form suggests that this will be a short night of work for Silva. Even if Weidman were to get inside and try to take him down, Silva should be able to see it coming and keep the fight standing. Once Weidman squares up to him, Silva’s heavy hands should do the rest and put him out.
My best bet for the fight is that Silva gets right on Weidman, drops him with something big, and stops him.
Weidman vs Silva betting preview
One has to wonder if this is the end of the road for Weidman. The decorated veteran was an unstoppable force during his prime, but we get further away from his days of ending the Anderson Silva era as the only serviceable thing about him is his fighting spirit.
He lands 2.98 significant strikes per minute against 3.27 absorbed, though his wrestling has always been his main source of offense as he lands 3.6 takedowns per fight.
Silva may not be cut for the middleweight elite, but he’s a dangerous striker. He went blow-for-blow with Alex Pereira and blew out Tavares in one round, though he tends to struggle against grapplers. Blindado works at a fast pace, landing 4.43 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 5.33 in return, and can keep the fight standing with a 73% takedown defense.
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With a surgically repaired leg already compromising his dulled mobility, Weidman has to throw caution to the wind in an attempt to get Silva on the mat. Silva can target Weidman’s legs like Tavares did, or just wait for him to stick his chin out to land a critical blow potentially.
Silva and Weidman are solid finishers, with each of them settling their business within two rounds.
Chris Weidman vs Bruno Silva tale of the tape
Weidman | Silva | |
---|---|---|
39 | Age | 34 |
6-feet-1 | Height | 6-feet |
185 lbs | Weight | 185 lbs |
78 inches | Reach | 74 inches |
15-7-0 | Record | 23-10-0 |
Not intended for use in MA.
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