It’s time to release our UFC 291 predictions. Using industry-leading tools, data and best UFC 291 odds, let’s get on with it by providing our Jake Matthews-Darrius Flowers prediction.
With Miguel Baeza out of this fight, Jake Matthews will now take on late replacement Darrius Flowers as a -300 favorite. A longtime UFC veteran, Matthews lost his most recent bout against Matthew Semelsberger via unanimous decision last December. On the other side, Flowers won his most recent bout on the Contender Series over Amiran Gogoladze in August of last year. However, a suspension has prevented Flowers from competing until this weekend.
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UFC 291 Odds: Jake Matthews-Darrius Flowers Prediction
Jake Matthews-Darrius Flowers Odds
Jake Matthews: -300 | Darrius Flowers: +250
Matthews has 17 fights within the UFC. Matthews possesses a relatively well-rounded skill set, highlighted by a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. On the mat, he lands 1.78 takedowns per bout while defending them at 60%. Superior grapplers have been able to take advantage of Matthews at times. Semelsberger landed three takedowns against him most recently.
On the feet, he lands 3.09 significant strikes per minute while defending them at 60%. At 18-6 in his career, Matthews has five knockout wins and seven submissions. He has also been knocked out once and submitted three times in his losses.
On the other side, Flowers will compete for the first time in almost a year. USADA hit Flowers with a six-month suspension, but he will be eligible to compete again for the first time this weekend. Flowers looks like a pure striker, with eight knockouts and one submission among his 12 professional wins.
He only has one fight with UFC statistics, but he lands 0.82 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 1.64. Flowers won his Contender Series fight with a slam, although it was deemed a submission due to injury. He looks especially vulnerable on the ground, with four submission losses in his career.
Our final Jake Matthews-Darrius Flowers prediction: While Flowers’ takedown defense is relatively unproven, Matthews should be a strong favorite in this part of the fight. If he can get Flowers on the ground early, he should be able to control the newcomer or work for a submission. Matthews at -300 looks completely fine, but Matthews by submission should be considered later this week as well.
