Preview: UFC 282 Prelims

Flyweights

Vinicius Salvador (14-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Daniel da Silva (11-4, 0-3 UFC)

ODDS: Salvador (-210), da Silva (+180)

Da Silva has consistently brought the excitement during his UFC career, often to his own detriment. “Miojo” usually gets off to a hot start and finds plenty of effective offense, which comes with a few downsides. He is only able to keep up that pace for a few minutes and leaves himself defensively wide open for a finish in the process. Thus far, that has led to three losses—all in exciting sprints—in da Silva’s three UFC fights, but given the entertainment he provides, it is unsurprising he gets a fourth shot at a win against a promotional newcomer in Salvador. Da Silva’s Brazilian countryman won one of this year’s better Dana White’s Contender Series fights against Shannon Ross, scoring a second-round knockout in a bout good enough that both men earned UFC contracts. Much like da Silva, Salvador has a focus on offense at the clear expense of his defense, but in the case of “Fenomeno,” it manifests more in a patient overconfidence that leaves the Brazilian able to get caught off-guard. This should be madness for however long it lasts. It would not be a shock if Salvador got overwhelmed and finished early, but he feels like the more reliable fighter. The pick is Salvador via first-round knockout.

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