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UFC 316 is underway, and we're back with another betting prediction and pick as the action hits the Women's Flyweight (125) Division for this next bout. Brazil's Ariane de Silva will take on China's Wang Cong on Saturday as both women look to mount a winning run. Check the UFC odds series for our de Silva-Wang prediction and pick.
Ariane de Silva (17-10) comes into this bout with a 6-7 record inside the UFC since 2019. She's had her ups and downs throughout her UFC tenure and is currently riding a two-fight losing streak following three straight victories, so she's hoping to find her groove and get back into the win column. De Silva stands 5-foot-6 with a 67-inch reach.
Wang Cong (7-1) is 2-1 through her first three UFC appearances. She made noise during China's Road to the UFC tournament and notched a win during her UFC debut. She most recently bounced back from a loss with a win over Bruna Brasil and will hope to take out another veteran of the sport. Cong stands 5-foot-6 with a 65.5-inch reach.
Here are the UFC 316 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC 316 odds: Ariane de Silva-Wang Cong odds
Ariane de Silva: +410
Wang Cong: -550
Over 2.5 rounds: -140
Under 2.5 rounds: +110
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Why Ariane de Silva will win
- Last Fight: (L) Jasmine Jasudavicius – SUB (D'arce choke, R3)
- Last 5: 3-2
- Finishes: 6 KO/TKO, 4 SUB
Ariane de Silva comes into this bout following a disappointing loss to a surging Jasmine Jasudavicius in her most recent bout. She seemed to be on the right track with three straight wins but ultimately fell back into a funk during her last two fights.
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We often forget she's just 31 years old, considering how long she's been fighting for, so de Silva is still fully capable of reaching a higher potential as a fighter. Still, she'll need to put together a complete performance in order to deter her hungry opponent.
De Silva is a classically trained kickboxer and has been heralded as the “Queen of Violence” from her time over at KSW. However, we haven't seen an aggressive style from her in quite some time, and it's leaving a lot to be desired from what she's shown in the past. In order to have a chance here, she'll have to be much more aggressive when dealing with a pressure fighter like Wang Cong.
Still, there's no denying her crisp striking as long as she's able to settle into a groove. She's far more experienced than her opponent, and if she's able to land combinations, it will bode very well for her confidence. Much of her success is predicated on her overcoming a mental block, so we'll see if she's able to throw caution to the wind and fight like her old self.
Why Wang Cong will win
- Last Fight: (W) Bruna Brasil – U DEC
- Last 5: 4-1
- Finishes: 2 KO/TKO, 2 SUB
Wang Cong displayed a ton of striking prowess during her most recent win over Bruna Brasil while listed as the -330 betting favorite. She's ultra-aggressive with how she closes the distance, and her ability to force opponents onto their back foot is what makes her most dangerous.
If de Silva becomes gun-shy for even a moment, Wang will capitalize on the fear and back her opponent into a corner, raining down combinations and hitting her target.
Wang Cong lands an impressive 6.38 significant strikes per minute and does a great job of pressuring opponents into a spot where she can increase her volume.
She's not one to grapple much, but she's done so more than de Silva in the past and lands on 75% of her attempts. She also boasts a spotless 100% takedown defense and is likely the fighter to dictate where this bout takes place.
Final Ariane de Silva-Wang Cong prediction & pick
It's tough to see Ariane de Silva on another losing streak given her potential, but her tendency to bounce back from adversity has been proven in the past. Wang Cong is the rightful favorite thanks to her high output and pressure striking, but there's still a significant experience gap between her and her opponent.
While Ariane de Silva has been able to catch opponents with sneaky submissions in the past, it's not likely that she'll catch Wang off guard with anything in this one. Furthermore, if this becomes a war of attrition, we have to side with Wang to keep marching forward through any damage and chaotic exchanges.
For our final betting prediction, we'll roll with Wang Cong to get the win in this one as she continues to evolve and grow against increasingly difficult competition.
Final Ariane de Silva-Wang Cong prediction & pick: Wang Cong (-550)
