Jose Aldo vs Mario Bautista prediction - October 5, 2024
Jose Aldo
Mario Bautista
On Saturday night in Salt Lake City, UFC 307 will feature a highly anticipated bantamweight clash between legendary fighter José Aldo and rising prospect Mario Bautista. Here’s a detailed prediction for the bout from the Dailysports expert team.
Jose Aldo
The iconic José Aldo, known as the "Scarface," makes his return to the octagon after a two-year hiatus. Despite having officially retired and being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, Aldo is ready to step back into the cage. His last fight before retirement was against current UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili, where Aldo became the only fighter that the Georgian couldn’t take down, despite 15 attempts.
Aldo’s comeback happened this May when he faced young prospect Jonathan Martinez. Not only did Aldo outclass his opponent in striking, but he also showcased his grappling skills, taking the fight to the ground after nearly knocking Martinez out on the feet. This performance was a stark reminder of Aldo’s prime as the "King of Rio."
Mario Bautista
Mario Bautista is an up-and-coming prospect in the bantamweight division with an impressive 16-2 record and is on the brink of breaking into the top 10. His last loss came in 2021, and since then, he’s been on a winning streak. Now, he faces the biggest test of his career against a seasoned veteran with a wealth of experience.
In his most recent bout, Bautista was considered the underdog against Ricky Simon but managed to neutralize Simon’s wrestling and impressed with his stand-up game. While Bautista has solid grappling and Jiu-Jitsu skills, his main strength lies in his striking. He’s quick and sharp but sometimes gets too aggressive and leaves himself open to unnecessary shots.
Prediction
Aldo, while known for his outstanding grappling skills, typically prefers to rely on his elite striking. Whether on the feet or on the ground, Aldo is likely to dominate the exchanges and apply relentless pressure. Bautista will probably try to implement his grappling, but breaking through Aldo’s defense will be a tall order. Given these factors, it seems unlikely that the American will come out on top in this bout.
