Bellator 263 has all of the hype in the world. You can catch the prelims on Youtube at 7 pm Eastern, then the main card will be available on Showtime, starting at 10 pm Eastern. The Featherweight title is on the line, as Patricio Freire takes on AJ McKee. It's time to continue our MMA odds series with a prediction and pick.
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is currently on a seven-fight win streak. He's been dominating the Featherweight class in Bellator and aims to continue his championship reign with a win on Saturday night.
AJ McKee is currently undefeated with an impressive 17-0 professional record. The 26-year-old is an MMA prodigy that hopes to earn his first major MMA belt at Bellator 263.
Here's how the sportsbooks have set the Featherweight championship fight.
Bellator 263 odds: Patricio Freire-AJ McKee odds
Patricio Freire (-110)
AJ McKee (-110)
Over 2.5 rounds (-135)
Under 2.5 rounds (+105)
How Patricio Freire wins the fight
“Pitbull” is a ferocious fighter who is extremely well-rounded. He has a professional record of 32-4 and has been in the fight game for quite some time. 23 (12 KOs, 11 submissions) of Freire's victories have been early stoppages, making him incredibly dangerous inside of the cage. He plans to earn yet another win at Bellator 263, making him one of the best Featherweights in the world.
Patricio Freire is quite a bit smaller than his opponent. However, that fits right into “Pitbull's” fighting style. His best bet will be to get inside of McKee's reach and work in some dirty boxing. Look for “Pitbull” to get in the clinch, tire out his opponent, and potentially take the fight to the ground. If Freire can do that, he should be able to defend his belt successfully at Bellator 263.
How AJ McKee wins the fight
AJ McKee is a prodigy in the MMA world as he's defeated every single opponent he's faced. At just 26 years old, McKee has accomplished more in his MMA career than most. Similar to his opponent, McKee is extremely well-rounded. Of his 17 professional wins, McKee has secured six KO/TKO's and six submissions.
McKee has a big height and reach advantage. His strategy at Bellator 263 will be to keep his distance and pick his opponent apart with jabs and leg kicks. Patience might be the key factor in McKee's game plan. Waiting for “Pitbull” to make a move then delivering a counter-attack might be the smartest route to victory. This strategy could pay off for McKee, but it likely means the fight goes the distance, leaving it up to the judges.
Patricio Freire-AJ McKee prediction & pick
This Featherweight title fight is coming down to a coin toss. The odds are even as Bellator 263 quickly approaches. This bout has the makings to go down as one of the best in MMA history. It's the wiley veteran versus the upcoming prospect. This one will be a nail-biter, however, AJ McKee has the makings to become a legend of the sport one day. Look for him to take control of this fight in the later rounds, as this one could be a five-round war.
FINAL PATRICIO FREIRE-AJ MCKEE PICK: AJ McKee wins via Unanimous Decision
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