Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin is a middleweight clash featured on tonight's UFC Fight Night undercard, and one of our featured events for UFC betting.
Loder and Valentin have made it to the end of The Ultimate Fighter, and these prodigious middleweights are looking to bang it out in what should be a sensational clash that goes the distance.
UFC odds have Valentin as a -150 favorite and Loder as a +130 underdog. Here are my best free UFC Fight Night: Loder vs. Valentin predictions from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Loder vs Valentin prediction and pick
- My fight prediction
Valentin moneyline (-150 at BET99) - My best bet
Over 2.5 rounds (+115 at BET99)
Fight analysis
It's easy to see why there is a lot of interest in this middleweight clash. Ryan Loder is a fantastic lockdown-style wrestler, and Robert Valentin is a punisher with good Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. These two could potentially be divisional mainstays regardless of what happens in the octagon on this night. That said, Loder is going to have a hard time getting any offense in against Valentin, who is good enough on the mat to avoid getting stuck there and better with his striking.
Valentin is also skilled at getting takedowns and has solid ground defense, which he'll need to be on point in the event that Loder does get him down. Loder was a former Division 1 All-American in college and will maul him, and any early trips to the mat could potentially be disastrous for Valentin despite his submission skills and ability to get back on his feet. The good news is that Loder is susceptible to takedowns himself, and he isn't as effective when he's not in top control.
In the striking department, Valentin is happy to mix it up and use his power, and he has an awkward style that makes him hard to read. Compare that to Loder, who just clubs away when he strikes, which could leave him open to counters.
\What this fight will ultimately come down to is their conditioning. From what we've seen from Loder, things go south for him as soon as the second round. He tires rather quickly and relies on his wrestling with the hopes of pinning his opponent down and keeping them there, but not with the same aggression he comes out with in the opening round.
Valentin is resourceful enough to match Loder on the ground and beats him in the striking and cardio department. It's a tough fight to call, particularly because both fighters are so talented, but I'm picking Valentin to win.
Best best analysis
Both of these fighters are tough enough to go three hard rounds with each other, and there's a chance this fight could be on the mat in spots, given their skill sets. It should be a hard fight for both men, and while it may be a taxing battle, I see this fight going Over 2.5 rounds as my best bet.
Ryan Loder vs Robert Valentin odds
 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Method of Victory | Loder | Valentin |
| To win outright | +130 | -150 |
| To win by KO/TKO | +500 | +450 |
| To win by decision | +440 | +300 |
| To win by submission | +575 | +290 |
| Draw | +2,500 | +2,500 |
Odds as of 8-24.
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Ryan Loder vs Robert Valentin tale of the tape
| Loder | Valentin | |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Age | 25 |
| 6-foot-1 | Height | 6-foot-2 |
| 185 lbs | Weight | 185 lbs |
| 77 inches | Reach | 77 inches |
| 7-1-0 | Record | 11-3-0 |
Not intended for use in MA.
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