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UFC 278 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wu Yanan vs. Lucie Pudilova (2022)

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For the first time in the promotion’s history, the UFC heads to Salt Lake City, Utah, this week for what should be a great evening of fights from top to bottom. While there is plenty of value in the entire UFC 278 card, there’s a fight that was recently promoted from the prelim card that I have my eye on as Wu Yanan takes on Lucie Pudilova.

Let’s take a closer look at this woman’s bantamweight bout that is drawing even more attention as fight night approaches.

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Betting Profile: Wu Yanan (12-5-0)

Last Five Fights (L-L-L-W-L)

Coming into this fight off of a three-fight losing streak, Yunan should be desperate to get back in the winning column as her time in the UFC might be coming to an end if not. Having gone 11-1 prior to joining the UFC, Yanan is now 1-4 with the company and has failed to find much of a rhythm in being handed one tough opponent after another.

Heading into his fight, however, Yanan does hold the advantage in significant striking, landing 4.42 per minute (vs. 4.15), as well as accuracy at 40% (vs. 36%).

Betting Profile: Lucie Pudilova (13-7-0)

Last Five Fights (W-W-L-W-W)

While Pudilova comes into this fight having won five of her past six, not all wins are made the same. Departing the UFC in January of 2020, all six of her last fights have come in the relative unknown Oktagon MMA, with all of those wins coming via decision.

During her stint with the UFC that spanned 2017 to 2020, Pudilova went 2-4, losing her last four fights with the promotion before departing for easier pastures.

Bottom Line

In addition to having the edge in striking, Wanan also holds the edges on the ground, with .7 takedowns per 15 minutes (vs. .16), as well as a takedown accuracy of 30% (vs. 12%). It’s also worth noting that despite losing three straight, Yanan’s losses have all come against certified UFC professionals in Mzkui Inoue, Joselyne Edwards, and Mayra Bueno Silva; combined, which have an MMA record of 35-11-1.

While this will likely be a closely contested fight that goes to the judge’s scorecard, I like for Yanan to get it done.

Best Bet: Wu Yanan (-105 via DraftKings)

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