[autotag]Ryan Loder[/autotag] and [autotag]Robert Valentin[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 62 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas for “The Ultimate Fighter 32” middleweight finale. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
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Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin UFC on ESPN 62 preview
Loder (6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) picked up one stoppage in the TUF house, finishing Tom Theocharis by first-round submission. His semifinal bout was a decision win over Omran Chaaban. … Valentin (10-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) stopped both of his opponents during the TUF season. In the second fight of the show, Valentin knocked out Giannis Bachar and followed up with a submission win over Paddy McCorry. Both stoppages came in the first round.
Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin UFC on ESPN 62 expert pick, prediction
This Saturday’s card features one of two finales from this season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” with Loder taking on Valentin for the middleweight portion of the show.
Stepping onto the scene with all the spooky Viking vibes in tow, Valentin is the more potent finishing threat in the matchup both on the feet and the floor.
However, despite being a brown belt in judo, I suspect that Valentin’s defenses could be vulnerable to a committed wrestler like Loder.
A Division-1 All-American wrestler (who is also a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu), Loder possesses a style that – while still a bit raw – works well in the smaller octagon.
So long as Loder can avoid being separated from his consciousness by the second coming of Ragnar, I think that the American can wrestle his way to a competitive decision win.
Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin UFC on ESPN 62 odds
The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Swiss fighter, listing Valentin -172 and Loder +140 via FanDuel.
Ryan Loder vs. Robert Valentin UFC on ESPN 62 start time, how to watch
As the fourth fight on the main card, Loder and Valentin are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 11:35 p.m. ET. The fight will air on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.