Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Neil Magny (red glove) fights Mike Malott (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

ufc-predictions

Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Preview, Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

Get to know the betting odds, predictions and picks for the upcoming Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski fight at UFC Vegas 108!

Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Neil Magny (red glove) fights Mike Malott (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

At 170 pounds, the combination of speed, power, and athleticism creates a perfect storm that exposes every weakness in a fighter. It’s where careers go to die, and legends become cautionary tales. Neil Magny and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos represent two different approaches to surviving in this unforgiving weight class. They will take on each other at UFC Vegas 108.

Both fighters are pushing 40 and dealing with the harsh reality that their bodies can’t do what they used to. Magny has reinvented himself as a clinch specialist after his striking deteriorated, while dos Santos still relies on the flashy Capoeira influenced style that made him famous.

Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski Preview

Neil Magny brings his trademark reach advantage into this fight, standing 6’3″ with an 80 inch wingspan. His recent stats show a fighter who’s completely changed his approach to combat. He lands 3.43 significant strikes per minute with 46% accuracy, which reflects his shift away from volume striking toward more selective offense.The most telling numbers come from his grappling stats. Magny now averages 2.12 takedowns per fight with 38% accuracy. His striking defense sits at 51%, which isn’t great but makes sense for someone who willingly enters the pocket to initiate grappling exchanges.

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos presents a completely different statistical profile. At 5’11” with a 73 inch reach, he’s giving up significant length to Magny. However, his 4.26 strikes landed per minute shows he’s still committed to being the aggressor on the feet. His 41% striking accuracy isn’t spectacular, but his power makes up for the lower precision. The Brazilian absorbs 3.52 strikes per minute, which suggests he’s willing to trade shots. dos Santos only attempts 0.75 takedowns per fight with a dismal 20% success rate. His 68% takedown defense is solid but might not hold up against someone as determined as Magny to get the fight to the mat.

Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski MMA Betting Odds

The oddsmakers have spoken on this matchup. According to Fanduel, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is a -205 favorite. Meanwhile, Neil Magny sits as a +158 underdog. These odds seem to reflect recent form more than overall skill level.

FanDuel

High total bonus ceiling

Daily second-chance bet protection

No promo code required

$150

Welcome offer

Bet $5 & Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Click to reveal code

COPIED

F A N D U V I P

Claim now

New customers only. Must be 21+ in most jurisdictions, but 18+ in DC, KY, and WY. Offer is valid only in eligible regulated states/jurisdictions and not available in AR; void where prohibited. First online real-money wager only; cashed-out or bonus-funded bets are excluded.

The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is lower and the odds (+112) reflect that. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at -142.

Neil Magny vs. Elizeu Zaleski Predictions and Picks: Experience Over Flash

This fight comes down to whether Magny can survive the early storm and impose his will later. dos Santos will come out firing with heavy hands and leg kicks, trying to end things quickly. The Brazilian knows his cardio isn’t what it used to be, so he needs to make his mark in the first two rounds.

Magny’s path to victory runs through the clinch and late fight takedowns. He needs to weather the early offense and drag dos Santos into deep waters where experience matters more than explosiveness. The key is avoiding those devastating calf kicks that have derailed his recent performances.

If we bet on the fight, we are going against the grain and betting on Neil Magny to win the fight via unanimous decision.

(Image Credit: Dan Hamilton -Imagn Images)

Elizeu Zaleski

Neil Magny

UFC Vegas 108

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!