MMA Preview – Clay Guida vs Rafa Garcia at UFC on ESPN 44
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CLAY GUIDA VS RAFA GARCIA FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 44? Saturday 15th April, 2023 - 23:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 44? T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 44? Click here to buy tickets for UFC on ESPN
What channel is UFC on ESPN 44 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 44? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
CLAY GUIDA VS RAFA GARCIA LOWDOWN
Clay Guida (38-22) rolls out for his 35th UFC fight. He is 18-16 in the UFC now and is still managing to pick up wins at the age of 41. He is 3-2 in his last five outpointing fellow veteran Michael Johnson (2021) but then fell short in a split decision to Mark Madsen (2021). He responded with a submission over Leonardo Santos (2021) but received a taste of his own medicine from Claudio Puelles (2022) and is now coming off a split decision win over Scott Holtzman back in December last year.
Rafa Garcia (14-3) is 3-3 in the big time but has had a tough run. He took on Nasrat Haqparast (2021) stepping up on short notice for his debut and lost a unanimous decision. Chris Gruetzemacher (2021) made it two unanimous decision losses in a row but responded with two good wins over Natan Levy (2021) and Jesse Ronson (2022). He then stepped up as a replacement again to take on another beast in Drakkar Klose (2022) getting to lose another decision but is back on winning track adding Hayisaer Mahaeshate (2022) to the win column.
CLAY GUIDA VS RAFA GARCIA PREDICTION
We all know what to expect from Guida by now and that is to bring a suffocating pace, close the distance with looping punches and relentlessly pursue the takedown. He has had a lot of success with that strategy, but we feel will Garcia should be able to avoid getting controlled over the course of three rounds.
He is an excellent wrestler himself and although we expect him to get taken down at some point, he has the strength to limit the control time and inflict more damage with his heavy hands. Guida has the durability to prevent the knockout but still may get submitted.
Prediction: Garcia via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Garcia via Submission
