UFC Fight Night: Ben Rothwell vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima Guide (2021)
The UFC returns to the Apex after back-to-back PPV cards that sent the company from the UAE to NYC in just seven days. Despite streaming on ESPN+, this card should not disappoint and features quality fights from top to bottom.
Let’s look at the co-main event between two heavyweight fighters and see where we can find the edge.
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| Ben Rothwell | -158 | -150 | -159 | -150 |
| Marcos Rogerio de Lima | +128 | +130 | +130 | +130 |
Betting Profile: Ben Rothwell (39-13-0)
Last Five Fights
| W | L | W | W | L |
While most heavyweights are known strictly for their punch power, Rothwell has quietly improved one major aspect of his game; his grappling. Looking back through his previous five victories, three of them have come via submission, as he seems to do the same here.
A closer look at his metrics shows a similar story, as he comes into this one averaging .49 submissions and .85 takedowns per 15 minutes inside the octagon.
Betting Profile: Marcos Rogerio de Lima (18-8-1)
Last Five Fights
| W | L | W | L | W |
For Rothwell’s opponent in this one, Rogerio de Lima is one of the most inconsistent fighters in the division; despite being ranked slightly higher. Known more so for his striking, grappling has been a significant flaw in de Lima’s game as all five of his most recent five losses have come via submission.
His takedown defense of just 43% is amongst the worst in the division and a metric that could certainly get him in trouble in this one.
Bottom Line?
While Rothwell holds the edges in the grappling metrics, de Lima does hold slight advantages in striking, which has certainly given me pause for concern between these two giants who can sleep the other at a second’s notice.
In the end, however, I think we see the veteran Rothwell do what’s needed to be done against the inconsistent de Lima and pick up his 40th win on Saturday, just weeks after his 40th birthday.
Pick: Ben Rothwell -150
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