Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin: Tips, predictions and odds

The middleweight bout between Ryan Loder and Robert Valentin takes place this Saturday as part of the UFC Fight Night pre-match and is one of our top events for UFC betting.

Loder and Valentin have made it to the end of The Ultimate Fighter and the two amazing middleweights are looking to go the full distance in what is likely to be a sensational fight on August 24th.

According to UFC odds, Valentin is the favorite (-180) and Loder is the underdog (+155). Here are my best free predictions for UFC Fight Night: Loder vs. Valentin from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Loder vs. Valentin prediction and selection

Combat analysis

It's easy to see why this middleweight matchup is so exciting. Ryan Loder is a fantastic lockdown-style wrestler and Robert Valentin is a Punisher with good Brazilian jiu-jitsu. These two could potentially be major pillars of the division regardless of what happens in the Octagon tonight. However, Loder will have a hard time getting on the offensive against Valentin, who is good enough on the mat to not get stuck there and is better with his striking.

Valentin is also good at scoring takedowns and has a solid ground defense that he will need to employ if Loder takes him down. A former Division 1 All-American in college, Loder will wear him down, and any early trip to the mat could be potentially disastrous for Valentin despite his submission skills and ability to get back to his feet. The good news is that Loder himself is vulnerable to takedowns and he is not as effective when he is not in full control.

When it comes to striking, Valentin is happy to use his power and has a clumsy style that makes him difficult to read. Compare that to Loder, who simply swings his club when striking, which could leave him vulnerable to counterattacks.

\What this fight ultimately comes down to is conditioning. From what we've seen from Loder, he starts to go downhill in the second round. He tires pretty quickly and relies on his grappling in hopes of taking his opponent down and keeping him there, but not with the same aggressiveness he showed in the first round.

Valentin is resourceful enough to stand up to Loder on the ground and beats him in striking and endurance discipline. It's difficult to predict the fight, especially because both fighters are so talented, but I'm predicting Valentin to win.

Best best analysis

Both fighters are tough enough to last three hard rounds against each other and given their skill sets there is a chance this fight could be fought on the mat at times. It should be a tough fight for both men and while it could be a grueling fight I believe this fight will go 2.5 rounds.

Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin odds

Method of victory	Fire	Valentine
To win directly	+140	-175
Win by KO/TKO	+510	+425
Win by decision	+500	+280
Win through submission	+625	+270
Pull	+2,500	+2,500

Odds from 8-24.

Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin – The Story of the Tape

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