Sep 2, 2023; Paris, France; Ange Lossa (red gloves) fights Rhys McKee (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho – Axel Sola vs Rhys McKee Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

Sep 2, 2023; Paris, France; Ange Lossa (red gloves) fights Rhys McKee (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

UFC debuts often carry the most pressure and excitement for fighters reaching the big stage. When a regional champion steps into the octagon for the first time, everything changes instantly. This Saturday at UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho, Axel Sola vs Rhys McKee will be featured on the main card.

Sola enters this fight carrying the hopes of French MMA fans who have watched him dominate the regional scene for years. The former Ares FC lightweight champion defended his title four times before finally earning his UFC call up. He has built an impressive 10-0-1 record that includes victories over solid European competition. McKee brings completely different energy to this matchup. He is the grizzled veteran who has seen everything the UFC can throw at him.

Axel Sola vs Rhys McKee Preview

Axel Sola stands 6’2″ with a 74 inch reach, matching Rhys McKee’s height while giving up four inches in wingspan. The 27 year old has a methodical approach to breaking down opponents. However, as this is his UFC debut, his UFC statistics sheet remains blank.

Rhys McKee comes in with a 14-6-1 record. He averages 5.16 significant strikes per minute with 44% accuracy while absorbing 7.92 strikes per minute. His 46% striking defense reveals defensive gaps that a technical striker like Sola might be able to exploit consistently. McKee shows zero takedown attempts in his recent UFC outings, preferring to keep fights standing. His 41% takedown defense suggests vulnerabilities if Sola decides to mix in wrestling, though Sola’s background includes extensive grappling training that he hasn’t needed to showcase much during his regional dominance.

Axel Sola vs Rhys McKee MMA Betting Odds

The oddsmakers have made up their mind on this matchup. According to FanDuel, Alex Sola is a slight favorite at -142 despite his lack of UFC experience. Meanwhile, Rhys McKee sits as the underdog at+114. This line reflects the bookmakers’ belief in Sola’s undefeated record and the potential boost he receives from fighting in front of his home crowd in Paris.

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 (+104) reflect that. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at -134.

Axel Sola vs Rhys McKee Prediction And Picks

Sola’s technical striking and unbeaten confidence should serve him well in his debut, but McKee’s octagon savvy and ability to find ways to win ugly cannot be dismissed easily. Both fighters have shown excellent durability throughout their careers, and Sola’s technical approach suggests he’ll be content to outpoint McKee rather than hunt for a spectacular finish.

McKee’s path to victory requires leveraging his experience advantage and potentially drawing Sola into deeper waters than the regional champion has seen before. His ability to absorb punishment and keep coming forward could test Sola’s finishing ability, especially if the hometown pressure affects the debutant’s timing or decision making.

If we bet on the fight, we are going with Axel Sola to win via unanimous decision.

(All odds taken from FanDuel. Bet on the most up-to-date MMA odds, lines, and spreads with FanDuel Sportsbook)

(Image Credit: Per Haljestam – Imagn Images)

Axel Sola

Rhys McKee

UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho

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!