UFC Brasilia: Lee vs Oliveira Odds, Picks & Betting Preview

• Kevin Lee goes into hostile territory against Charles Oliveira in the main event
• Can Demian Maia extend his winning streak in the co-main?
• See the betting preview for the main and co-main event and odds for the main card below

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is in Brasilia, Brazil this Saturday, March 14, for UFC Brasilia that features a very intriguing lightweight bout in the main event.

In the main event, Kevin Lee is going into hostile territory as he battles surging contender Charles Oliveira who hails from Brazil. The co-main event pairs two of the best grapplers in the UFC as Demian Maia takes on Gilbert Burns.

The main card airs live at 8:00 pm EST. The table below shows odds for the entire main card, followed by best bets for the event.

UFC Brasilia Odds

All odds taken March 9.

Will Oliveira Extend His Winning Streak?

Kevin Lee (18-5) was expected to be a UFC champion to many when he got into the promotion. Yet, he has had some setbacks inside the Octagon and outside with his head coach dying and him searching for a new coach. In his last fight, he found that as he went to TriStar in Montreal to work with Firas Zahabi.

Last time out, he knocked out Gregor Gillespie in the first round in a scrap many expected him to lose. In his career, he has headlined five events and has notable wins over Edson Barboza, Michael Chiesa, Francisco Trinaldo, and Jake Matthews among others.

Charles Oliveira (28-8 and one no-contest) is riding a very impressive six-fight winning streak where all six wins have come by stoppage. Currently, he has the most submission wins in UFC history and is only 30-years-old. The Brazilian is 7-1 since moving up to lightweight and in his career has notable wins over Jeremy Stephens, Clay Guida, Jim Miller, and Nik Lentz among others.

Both Lee and Oliveira are very good wrestlers and grapplers which makes this fight so interesting. The stakes are also high for this one as the winner would most likely earn a top-five opponent while the loser would fall down the rankings in a stacked lightweight division.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vN_Mfm5Mg0

In this fight, we’ve seen Oliveira score some knockout wins, and usually, when that happens to grapplers they start to fall in love with their hands and become primarily a striker. I expect that to happen here where the Brazilian will look to keep is standing for the most part, and on the feet, Lee is more dangerous with his punches and kicks.

Something that should scare bettors, is in the past, we’ve seen Oliveira quit in fights when the going gets tough, and I believe Lee can do that to him. I think Lee will be the one pressing forward and landing heavy shots while mixing in some wrestling along with ground and pound to hurt the Brazilian. In the end, I think Lee finishes this fight inside three rounds by TKO to extend his winning streak to two.

Pick: Kevin Lee (-130)

Lee vs Oliveira

Who’s the Better Grappler?

Demian Maia (28-9) is a legend of Brazilian MMA and one of the best grapplers the sport has ever seen. The 42-year-old is on a three-fight winning streak and submitted Ben Askren last time out after beating Anthony Rocco Martin by decision and Lyman Good by submission.

In his career, he fought for the UFC’s welterweight and middleweight title but came up short both times. He has notable wins over Jon Fitch, Neil Magny, Gunnar Nelson, Matt Brown, and Jorge Masvidal.

Gilbert Burns (17-3) is also on a three-fight winning streak and has looked phenomenal since moving up to welterweight. He took both his welterweight fights on short notice, beating Gunnar Nelson and Alexey Kunchenko by decision. He’s a phenomenal grappler but has shown improved striking. In his career, he has notable wins over Alex Oliveira and Christos Giagos.

This should be a fantastic fight where Burns told me he plans on taking this fight to the ground as he wants to submit Demian Maia. Yet, I just don’t see that happening as I think both of them are too good in takedown defense that they will keep this fight standing.

On the feet, it is Burns who has the better cardio, pressure and striking and he will piece up Maia on the feet to earn a unanimous decision win.

Pick: Gilbert Burns (-200)

Other UFC Brasilia Picks

• Renato Moicano (-300): Moicano is moving up in weight where he should be better at lightweight. He’s the better fighter all-around and will earn a unanimous decision win
• Johnny Walker (-145): Walker had a major setback last time out but he should be able to knockout Krylov here.
• Francisco Trinaldo (-170): This fight will most likely be standing where Trinaldo is the better striker. Expect the Brazilian to earn a decision win.