Aoriqileng vs. Jay Perrin Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Perrin Dominate Aoriqileng at UFC 278?

Aoriqileng vs. Jay Perrin Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Perrin Dominate Aoriqileng at UFC 278?

Bantamweight prospects Jay Perrin and Aoriqileng will meet in the prelims of UFC 278. Neither fighter has too much hype entering this fight, as Perrin has yet to secure a marquee win. Neither fighter has made a statement inside the UFC yet, but both have the opportunity to do so tonight. Aoriqileng opened as a -200 favorite early but has seen his odds drop as the week has progressed and now finds himself as a shorter -130 favorite in most spots. Can he take care of business and make it back-to-back wins? Let's get into my prediction, pick, and odds for Aoriqileng vs. Jay Perrin.

Aoriqileng vs. Jay Perrin Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: August 20, 2022
• Fight Time: 6:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+

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Aoriqileng vs. Jay Perrin Prediction

Aoriqileng is an extremely aggressive fighter who wastes no time after he touches gloves. Aoriqileng is constantly on his front foot and likes to be the one pushing the pace and controlling the octagon. His unique Sanda fighting style makes him unpredictable and awkward to read, and he uses this to his advantage tremendously. Aoriqileng utilizes a plethora of movements to keep his opponents guessing, and his fight style is hard to prepare and plan for. Although he started 0-2 in the UFC, he bounced back with a first-round knockout of Cameron Else in his last fight in April. He will have to be ready for the calculated and tactical approach from Perrin to get the win here.

Jay Perrin is an underrated fighter in my book. He does many things well inside the octagon, but it has not translated to a win yet. He lost on Dana White's contender series and also dropped his UFC debut in February. Many people do not think he is cut out for the big leagues, but I'm afraid I have to disagree. Perrin is a tactical fighter who puts a focus on form and technicality. He does lack some of the intangibles in a fighter, but I believe he just needs a win or two inside the octagon to gain more confidence.

This is the perfect opportunity for him. He clashes styles with Aoriqileng, as he takes a more calculated approach in his fights. He has excellent top pressure in his grappling game and fantastic mechanics with his takedowns. On the feet, he is a slick boxer who mixes up his attacks to both the body and head. He is not a one-punch fighter, as he utilizes different combinations often and has a great jab. He has no real weakness, but he doesn't stand out anywhere either. He is a well-rounded fighter who hasn't been able to capitalize yet.

Perrin is being overlooked in this spot because he doesn't have a UFC win yet and isn't a flashy fighter. Aoriqileng is a high-pace fighter who loves to fight flashy and push the pace. This translated to a -200 open on the Chinese fighter. However, sharp action has brought the line down, and I will be taking the underdog here as well. This is the perfect clash of fighting styles that Perrin can win with. If Perrin can survive the early onslaught, and he has never been knocked out, I expect him to win this fight. Most likely, he will win by decision, but I wouldn't be surprised if he took Aoriqileng down in the third and finished him with ground and pound.

Aoriqileng vs. Jay Perrin Pick

2U Play: Jay Perrin ML @ +120 (Bet $100 to win $120)

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