UFC Vegas 52
UFC Vegas 52 is a Fight Night Card that takes place in the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight card consists of 12 fights and takes place on Saturday April 23rd, 2022. The fighters in the opening fight are scheduled to make the walk at 6PM EST. The headlining fight is an incredible women’s strawweight bout. Jessica Andrade returns to 115 lbs in an absolute banger of a matchup with Amanda Lemos.
We are back at the UFC Apex for UFC Vegas 52. After getting back to consecutive live events, it certainly feels like something is missing on the Apex cards. Of course, cards taking place at the Apex became the norm during COVID reactions in the country. We continue getting nearer to the old and proper normal, but we are not quite there yet.
This card is the second of three consecutive going back to the Apex. This is a good time to bring up a general rule for Apex cards. The octagon in that building is significantly smaller than the normal octagon. The smaller cage favors fighters who prefer constant engagement and works against fighters whose style is to stay at range.
UFC Vegas 52 Promo Code
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Quick Look Back
As all good things must come to an end. One such thing was our months long consecutive cards with profit streak. Our picks went just 1-2 last week. The truly shocking loss was in the main event. The real surprise was not that Vincente Luque lost, but rather in the manner he lost. He seemed to not be himself. He was taken down easily and spent significant periods on his back. His corner was at least partially to blame. They were no help during the fight and the game plan for the fight was a poor one. The other loss was playing Pat Sabatini ITD. Sabatini won in dominant fashion, but did not get the finish. Laramie fought to not be finished rather than fighting to win, so it was a decision for Laramie. The win was a resounding one, as Alatangheili starched Kevin Croom in 45 seconds.
UFC Vegas 52 Fight Card
UFC Vegas 52 is another middle of the road fight card, but does have some very bright spots. The main event is going to be an absolute banger, and certainly qualifies as much watch tv. The co-main event and the next fight leading into the co-main leave something to be desired. However, the three fights before that are absolutely high end fights.
There is not the fight volume we would prefer. 12 fights makes for a strong enough card, but clearly the preference is 13 or 14. There is also quite an odd trend, particularly early on in the card. There are five fighters on the card entering on at least a full year layoff. Additionally there is another fighter debuting. Lastly, we have Chase Sherman, who was recently cut. He got a new contract to walk in on short notice and take a big L from Alexandr Romanov, who currently sits as a -1400 favorite.
Romanov is not the only massive favorite on the card. We have UFC debutant Dean Barry as a -1100 favorite over former CM Punk foe Mike Jackson. We also have the return of Tyson Pedro, who is roughly a six to one favorite over light heavyweight punching bag Ike Villanueva.
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Main Event
We will have a wager on the main event, so we will have much more on Jessica Andrade vs Amanda Lemos later. For now, let’s suffice it to say there will be violence. Both of these ladies bring maximum power for 115 lbs and are not afraid to put that power out there. Andrade as a former champ is no stranger to main events. After a move to flyweight, she returns to strawweight for this fight. Lemos gets the biggest fight of her career and gets an opportunity to catapult herself up the rankings.
Co-Main Event
The pickem lined Clay Guida vs Claudio Puelles co-main event is an underwhelming one for me. While it will not be a bad fight, I have to ask what the winner actually gains beyond the winner’s purse? Neither of these fighters is ever going to crack deep into the lightweight rankings, much less be a title contender. I must ask, why not showcase one of the fights with fighters that still have an attainable ceiling in their respective divisions. Either Sumudaerji vs Manel Kape or Maycee Barber vs Montana de la Rosa would have been much better selections by my view.
All of that said, this is the co-main event fight, and it is a well-made one. Clay Guida will bring his normal awkward style. He is unpredictable, always moving in different directions. He will mix in strikes to get his wrestling going, and he always brings the cardio to back that style up.
Claudio Puelles is not nearly as busy of a fighter as Guida is, but Guida will force the action. In the case of this fight, the action will come in the form of wrestling and grappling. Puelles, like Guida, is a low-volume striker. The version of Puelles from years back would have made this quite an ugly affair for the portions on the feet, but that aspect of his game has improved considerably. The volume is still not there but the comfort level and technicality is now. If the fight is at all determined on the feet, it will be for the Puelles side.
Where the fight is very likely to be determined is in the wrestling and grappling. Guida is not afraid to wrestle, and has paid the price for it many times over. He has double digit submission losses in his career. This could really spell trouble for Guida as Puelles has done well finding submissions in his MMA career. Particularly leg locks, and more specifically knee bars. Puelles has three total wins via kneebar, two of which coming in the UFC.
In totality, I think the fight taking place predominantly on the floor favors Puelles, and he will find sweeps or submission attacks to put himself in a good position. It is a close fight and Guida may well win two out of three rounds with top control time, but I do favor Puelles at the pickem line. I am not quite bullish enough to make it a dedicated betting pick.
Remainder of UFC Vegas 52 Card
The main card portion of this really does bring some fun and intriguing fights. I mentioned two of those fights earlier.
Maycee Barber seemed to figure things out a bit in the tail end of her most recent fight, and I think she is back on a trajectory towards the top. Manel Kape will be tested by the length and power of Sumudaerji, and that fight could go either way.
Alexandr Romanov will be among three fighters to smash wins in unplayable -600 or greater betting lines. Cameron Else brings value as an underdog against Aoriqileng, but not great enough to trust him with a betting play.
UFC Vegas 52 Bet Sheet
We will have four betting picks on this card. Sadly, this card does not offer much in the way of underdogs to back with our money. However we do have some probable outcomes with very reasonable prices attached. Let’s get to our four betting picks for UFC Vegas 52.
Click the links below for a full breakdown with recommended betting picks and analyses.
Jessica Andrade vs Amanda Lemos
Maycee Barber vs Montana de la Rosa
Charles Jourdain vs Lando Vannata
Marc-Andre Barriault vs Jordan Wright
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Other Fight Predictions
Dean Barry via KO over Mike Jackson
Marcin Prachnio via decision over Philipe Lins
Cameron Else via decision over Aoriqileng
Tyson Pedro via submission over Ike Villanueva
Dwight Grant via KO over Sergey Khandozhko
Sumudaerji via KO over Manel Kape
Alexandr Romanov via KO over Chase Sherman
Claudio Puelles via submission over Clay Guida