UFC Fight Night – Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos: Preview & Betting Tips

Two seasoned veterans collide on this latest UFC Fight Night card at the Apex as Neil Magny takes on Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at welterweight.

At his peak, Magny (29-14) was the spoiler of the division with his long reach, solid cardio, and an uncanny knack for dragging guys into ugly decisions. He was the welterweight’s “gatekeeper”. 

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (25-9-1) was once the kind of fighter who could light up highlight reels at any moment. Wild spinning attacks, aggressive forward movement, and unpredictability. But his last few fights have seen a major dip in explosiveness, and he’s lost three of his last four.

Tale of the Tape

Neil Magny – Odds 2.70 (Bet 365)

Record: 29-14

Age: 37

Height: 6ft3

Reach: 80”

Weight: Welterweight 

Stance: Orthodox

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos – Odds 1.50 (Bet 365)

Record: 25-9-1

Age: 38

Height: 5ft11

Reach: 73”

Weight: Welterweight

Stance: Orthodox

Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos: Analysis

Both men come into this fight having lost three out of their last four fights, and both likely on the verge of being cut. What made Magny so hard to beat was his incredible durability and toughness, but with two first round knockout defeats in a row, it’s clear he can’t take a clean shot anymore.

On the flip side, Dos Santos was known for his explosiveness, but he no longer has that spring in his step. In reality, these two fighters are a shadow of their former selves.

This is one of those fights where anything can happen because simply neither are good enough at this point. Magny could win if he manages to clinch and grind without getting rocked. Dos Santos could win if he musters up enough aggression to punish Magny’s declining defence.

Magny vs Dos Santos: Prediction & Betting Tips

This is a fight where two fighters are trying to hold on to relevance. And for bettors, it’s a trap fight in every sense of the word. If you’re betting on this bout, then good luck because this fight isn’t about who’s better, it’s about who’s less washed.

Dos Santos is the favourite in this one, likely because he currently still has better punch resistance than Magny. However, he has only won by knockout once in five years. 

When you get two washed guys, sometimes the underdog is the value play; Magny at plus money is intriguing because of his huge frame and reach advantage. However, I’m willing to take plus money on this fight not going the distance, simply because I cannot trust Magny’s chin at this stage in his career, and Dos Santos’ odds are far too short for a guy that’s washed too. 

My pick is that the fight does not go the distance at odds of 2.20 (Bet 365).