Undefeated middleweight prospect Anthony Hernandez (7-0, 2 KOs, 4 SUBs) will meet Markus Perez (10-2, 3 KOs, 4 SUBs) at UFC Fight Night 144 on Saturday Feb 2, 2019 at Arena CFO in Castelao, Brazil. The card streams live on ESPN+ starting 8pm ET.
While the middleweight division filled with great fighters in the top seven, the bottom half of the top 15 could use some new blood. There’s guys like Uriah Hall, Elias Theodorou and Antonio Carlos Junior that don’t really get anyone excited. Perhaps the undefeated Anthony Hernandez can make some noise.
The 25-year old is undefeated as a pro, with six finishes in seven career victories. Coming off a quick first-round knockout win over Jordan Wright on DWTNCS, he’ll make his UFC debut this Saturday in hostile territory, when he meets Markus Perez in his native Brazil.
Just over a year ago, Perez was in the same spot as Hernandez: an undefeated young fighter. But he lost his UFC debut to Eyrk Anders, and while he bounced back with a win over James Bochnovic, Perez once again found himself on the losing end with a loss to Andrew Sanchez this past August.
It’s a chance for Anthony Hernandez to start off his UFC career with a bang. The former LFA middleweight has been on Dana White’s radar for a while, and his 40-second knockout win over Wright earned his ticket to the big show. But like Perez, he could find out real soon that life in the UFC is nothing like LFA or GKO, where he compiled his pro record.
Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your best betting options. Live UFC betting is also available to hedge your bets on fight night.
UFC Fight Night 144 Betting at BookMaker.eu
Anthony Hernandez: -185
Markus Perez: +150
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: -110 / -120
Significant Striking Stats
Landed per minute: Perez 2.55 / Hernandez N/A
Accuracy: Perez 47% / Hernandez N/A
Absorbed per minute: Perez 4.5 / Hernandez N/A
Defense: Perez 49% / Hernandez N/A
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Perez 1.31 / Hernandez N/A
Takeown accuracy: Perez 42% / Hernandez N/A
Takedown defense: 81% / Hernandez N/A
Submission average: 1.31 / Hernandez N/A
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Hernandez is still young in his pro career, but from his tape we can see that he’s a pressure fighter with heavy hands. He loves to get inside and mix it up, and is very good at finding quick submissions after dealing damage to his opponents. Young and springy, Hernandez has solid fundamentals to work as one of the new breed whose been training MMA as a discipline rather than coming up through a certain background.
Perez’ cardio was badly exposed in the UFC. He lasted one round against Eryk Anders before tiring and going the rest of the fight exhausted. While he showcased his grappling skills with a quick win over a fringe fighter in James Bochnovic at UFC 224, he took another L against Sanchez in the followup. There were some energy improvements as Perez was able to go three rounds, but we’ve got to question how he’ll handle somebody as aggressive as Hernandez.
In this matchup, Perez will probably want to get this to the ground, where his grappling skills will give him the edge. However, that might go badly for him if Hernandez’s takedown defense holds up, and a tired Perez could end up getting pummelled.
UFC Odds Pick: Hernandez to win -185
This is a showcase fight for the undefeated fighter, and Perez is the sacrificial lamb. While there is risk in picking a guy making his UFC debut, Perez isn’t experienced enough to really take advantage of it.
Bet on UFC Fight Night 144 Odds at BookMaker.eu
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today. UFC Fight Night 144 takes place on Saturday Feb 2, 2019 at Arena CFO in Castelao, Brazil. The card streams live on ESPN+ starting 8pm ET.
