I really like Fitch to win a decision in this fight and he's getting 2 to 1 odds. I like Fitch for the following reasons: - Fitch previously beat Alves albeit 4 years ago - Fitch has proved he can take Alves down - Fitch has a good chin - Alves has been laid off for over a year - Alves has had 2 surgeries - Alves has had trouble making weight which could affect his conditioning - Fitch has lost once in the last 7 years This just seems like a really good fight to bet on. What do you guys think?
Yes, that's a very sound bet, I'm genuinely surprised he is the underdog. I can easily see him taking Alves down and working him on the ground for three rounds, very much like the more recent GSP/Alves fight. And as you say, a year long lay-off plus the surgeries doesn't help matters. Thanks for the heads up, I'll put some money on Fitch.
Alves is one of my favorite fighters imma be pushing for him to win but Fitch aint gonna be easy. This one has me split.
Fitch has an ugly style, but he always manages to get the job done. I don't think this fight will be any different. I don't like the fact that Alves will have earned himself another title shot if he does manage to win. I mean, this is his first fight back since GSP. Fitch is a huge win and all, but I still think he should have to put together a couple more wins before earning another title shot.
I also like Alves. His fights are always entertaining and he is an aggressive fighter. I guess that's another plus in that if I lose the bet at least the fighter I like more has won. I just think Fitch will be able to grind him down for three rounds.
50-50 fight. I can see Alves being devastating as pre GSP the man looked ****ing unbelievable. However Fitch is a grinder. He'll work you to the bone for 3 rounds. Real defining fight.
It's a very hard fight to call, but here is how I think it will go down. Fitch spends a lot of time winning, getting good position, passing, solid gnp, not just laying there. Alves will then have moments where it will look like he is going to win the fight by stoppage, likely by knockout. The debate is if Alves can actually finish, or at least come close in 2 of 3 rounds. Of course I could be wrong, Fitch could very well dominate from the start and finish. Either way if I had a gun to my head I would pick Fitch; I wouldn't bet money on it unless the odds were way out of whack.
the takedown defense alves showed against koschek was impressive. GSP was able to take alves down yes, but will fitch be able to do the same? also remember Gsp was not able to hold alves down for long, alves was able to get back to his feet. Obviously if this fight remains standing alves has the advantage. With the recent surgeries and time away from the cage (cage rust) alves might not preform as well as he did against koschek or even to some extent against gsp. correct me if Im wrong, but I do not remember fitch having the explosive takedown ability that gsp has. I really dont watch fitch fights too often considering the extreme boredom they create. I dont think It would be wise to bet too much money on either one of these guys. If I had to pick I would favor alves simply because I prefer his style. I mean why not Its a pick em fight.
He has a much different takedown style; where Kos tends to go with a super quick double, Fitch tends to get a body lock or underhook and work a grinding takedown. It might work in Fitch's favor to not be the explosive double leg guy, because Alves is good at stopping those, but it is a different skillset to stop a grinding type of takedown that Fitch uses.
