Rodolfo Vieira vs Armen Petrosyan Prediction: Rodolfo Vieira is aiming to show what he's capable of in his fight against Armen Petrosyan

The UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, is set to host a match between Rodolfo Vieira and Armen Petrosyan. Vieira's record over his last five fights is three wins and two losses, spanning from 2020 to 2023. Petrosyan has managed four wins and only one loss from 2021 to 2023. This fight, part of the middleweight division, is the ninth bout on a 14-fight main card. The betting odds are tight, indicating this could be anyone's match. Fans can watch the event live on ESPN+.

Rodolfo Vieira had a promising start in the UFC but hasn't quite met the high expectations set after his debut. He made a strong comeback with a second-round submission win after an early scare in a fight. Vieira entered the UFC with an impressive 6-0 record, known for being a multiple-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion and a formidable athlete with strong wrestling skills. However, his cardio issues have been a significant drawback, contributing to two losses in the UFC. Despite these setbacks, Vieira secured a quick submission in his first UFC fight, and, after losing two of his next three bouts, he recently won against Cody Brundage. Before his MMA career, Vieira was a dominant force in submission grappling, winning the world gold medal six times. He has faced notable fighters like Chris Curtis and Dustin Stoltzfus, among others.

Armen Petrosyan is on a roll, winning four of his last five fights, including back-to-back victories. He earned his UFC spot with an impressive head-kick knockout on the Contender Series and is now aiming for a third consecutive win in his upcoming fight against Rodolfo Vieira at the UFC Apex this weekend. Before stepping into MMA, Petrosyan was a professional kickboxer. His debut on the Contender Series demonstrated his ability to stand up quickly and deliver crucial counterattacks as his opponents tire, a strategy that could serve well against Vieira. However, during his fight with Caio Borralho, Petrosyan's vulnerability was highlighted when he lost control and Borralho took his back, dominating the first two rounds with this advantage.

Petrosyan usually has the upper hand in striking during his fights, and it looks like it will be the same in his fight against Vieira. Although Vieira has been working on his striking, it's still not on par with his excellent grappling skills. This is where Petrosyan could gain an advantage. Vieira, on the other hand, should stick to what he knows best: taking Petrosyan down and controlling him on the mat. If he manages to do that, he could find himself on his first winning streak in the UFC. Vieira doesn't have to worry too much about being submitted by Petrosyan, as Petrosyan isn't known for his grappling. His strength lies in his striking. If Petrosyan can keep the fight standing by avoiding Vieira's takedown attempts, especially early on, his striking could be the key factor in this match.