Rua vs. Saint Preux UFC 274 Betting: Expect Shogun to Show Out vs. OSP

Mauricio Rua and Ovince Saint Preux meet on this weekend’s UFC 274 card from the Footprint Center in Phoenix. This light heavyweight contest has been overlooked by many armchair fans and pundits who prefer to concentrate on the main event involving Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.

That could prove to be a costly mistake as this support act will be competitive, and there’s plenty of value to be found in the betting.

The main card is packed with talented fighters, and if you are a lover of MMA or just a casual follower of the big fights on UFC, this is a night not to be missed.

The leading online betting apps offer odds on the outcome of the main fight as well as the best of the undercard bouts. Have your say on the winner of Rua v Saint Preux or play one of the many eye-catching specials such as method of victory. There is a bet for everyone.

Rua v Saint Preux looks to be an evenly matched contest on paper, and it’s true these warriors are expected to put on a show but who wins?

There’s much to fight for here as victory will push one fighter towards the top names of the division, opening doors for a big fight in late summer while the loser will be sent back to the drawing board.

Rua v Saint Preux Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• This is the second time Rua and Saint Preux have met in competitive action, with the Florida-born fighter winning by first-round knockout.
• Rua is a former light heavyweight UFC champion and 2005 PRIDE middleweight Grand Prix champion. He is thirsty for more titles and more glory.
• Saint Preux is known for his unorthodox style, and it’s for that reason many of the top contenders have avoided fighting him over the years.
• Venue & Location: Footprint Center (Phoenix, Arizona)
• Start Time: approximately 10:45 p.m. Eastern Time (7:45 p.m. local time)

Rua v Saint Preux Betting Odds

Odds are via BetOnline as of Thursday, May 5.

Moneyline

Rua to win +205

Saint to win -260

Total Rounds Over/Under

Over 2.5 rounds (+134)

Under 2.5 rounds (-172)

Shogun must bounce back

Rua is a 40-year-old Brazilian who fights out of his home nation, where he is surrounded by the best BJJ fighters on the planet.

He is a black belt in BJJ, and Muay Thai and that background shines through to his MMA record. He enters this bout with a professional MMA CV detailing 27 wins against a dozen defeats.

His wins are broken down into 21 by knockout with five by points decision and one submission. His losses consist of six by KO, three by submission and three on decision.

Rua isn’t short of fans and enjoys a global following, with MMA followers appreciating his style and aggressive approach to fights. He can often be found looking for the KO win and often gets it but can come unstuck as he marches forward, looking to unload big shots.

Watch any of Shogun’s recent fights, and you’ll see what all the fuss is about with the Brazilian. He beat Tyson Pedro on UFC Fight Night in Adelaide, Australia, just before Christmas 2018 and picked up a performance of the night bonus for his efforts.

But he suffered a TKO defeat in his most recent start when stunned by Paul Craig on UFC 255, which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, over a year ago.

Shogun’s recent form is impressive, with two wins, one draw and a defeat in his last three, but he has the skills to bounce back from that loss and get his career back on track.

Victory in this fight would showcase his talents to a global audience, but it will also give him revenge for that painful loss suffered in his first fight against Saint Preux.

The main worry for those backing Rua in this fight is the length of time he has been away from the octagon. The loss to Craig came in November 2020, which is quite an absence.

It will be interesting to see how much love he has for the sport and if he’s back to challenge for titles or simply to earn cash off his previous efforts. We’ll discover his plan early in this bout.

OSP fancies more of the same

Saint Preux is a Haitian-American fighter based in Knoxville, Tennessee. The 39-year-old knows his career is fast approaching the finish line, and he’s at an age where injuries and beatings take longer to heal, and the ambition reduces with every defeat.

He’ll want to prove there’s still life in his UFC contract by winning this bout and edging his way back towards the major names of the division. A crack at the UFC championship is the retirement fund he’s after.

OSP’s record shows he has 25 wins but 16 defeats, with a dozen of his victories coming by way of knockout, eight by submission and five by decision.

His losses can be explained by nine on the scorecards, four by KO and three on submission. He’s a strong fighter with power in both hands but is also a polished grappler, content with his back to the mat.

Despite his background, Saint Preux has won only four of his last ten bouts and has lost three of his last four. He suffered back to back defeats against Jamahal Hill and Tanner Boser in Las Vegas, with the latter beating him in round two by knockout. That KO loss came last summer.

Rua vs. Saint Preux Betting Tip – Rua to win (+205 at BetOnline)

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