Highlighting the card is the co-main event slot on Saturday night featuring Bellator Featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull (34-5) and RIZIN champion Kleber Koike (31-5-1). The card is loaded with the top fighters and will head state-side for a second event sometime in 2023.
We will take a deep dive into this inaugural showdown between the two mixed martial arts organizations and finalize a Pitbull vs Koike betting analysis this weekend.
Last Fight Record
Patricio Pitbull won by unanimous decision at the beginning of October against Jason Herzog.
Kleber Koike defeated Juntarou Ushiku with a triangular choke in the second round of an October bout.
Pitbull vs. Koike Betting Analysis
Patricio Pitbull
The Brazilian 35-year-old has won nine of his last ten bouts. Pitbull has won 32% of his victories have come by KO or TKO, with another 35% by submissions.
His last defeat came back in July of 2021 when he fell in the first round to A.J. McKee to a guillotine choke. Pitbull would turn around and defeat McKee one month later in a unanimous decision.
Pitbull fights with a mixed style of Chute Boxe updated for the modern sport. The Brazilian MMA legend is aggressive but showcases elements of pure brilliance in his combats.
Kleber Koike
Koike is a 33-year-old also hailing from Brazil. The fighter has won seven in a row and currently holds the title of best MMA Featherweight fighter.
The last defeat for Koike came back in 2018 when he lost by a unanimous decision to Mateusz Gamrot. Of his victories, 80% have come by KO/TKO or submissions, and 20% of the decision.
The mixed martial arts fighter is a blend of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and shoot boxing. Koike has been training at Phuket Fight Club to prepare for the contest and working on his striking skills in Muay Thai.
Updates
There are no updates on this fight at this time.
Pitbull vs. Koike Betting Preview
Now that you have a solid foundation on the fighting history and styles of the two opponents let’s get into the betting preview. Below is all the information you will need to know to make the correct Pitbull vs. Koike prediction with the Bellator odds and their value.
UFC odds have Pitbull as the -360 betting favorite in this co-main event showdown. He is routinely the betting favorite in all the matches he takes part in.
The -360 spread is the second-highest line of the five matchups in the Bellator vs RIZIN event.
Koike is a +255 underdog heading into the event, a rare occurrence for the dominant fighter.
One thing to remember when focusing on the betting lines is that these two fighters hail from the same country but are vastly different fighters and are a part of different federations.
Their records and accolades are both impressive, but Pitbull coming into the event as a heavy favorite tells even a novice or experienced bettor that there is a big game in the two styles and competition of fighters.
As the fight nears, more bets for the fight will become available. One to key on will be how many rounds the fight is expected to last. Many of Pitbull’s recent matchups have ended in two rounds or less.
Pitbull vs. Koike Betting Prediction
To make the most-educated pick, review the Pitbull vs Koike Betting Analysis article and preview the other matchups on the New Year’s Eve card.
When reviewing this matchup, there is clearly an edge on Pitbull’s side. His fighting style will challenge the defense of Koike and limit Koike’s ability to strike.
The prediction of the Pitbull vs Koike fight is that Bellator’s Pitbull will earn the hand raise. His tactical and explosiveness will be too much for Koike in the later rounds.
Pitbull’s aggressive style and experience will be a challenge for Koike and his MMA background, and oddsmakers have set the line accordingly.
This co-main event matchup should be entertaining, but our Pitbull vs Koike Betting Analysis has us siding with the heavy favorite.
Bellator Pick: Patricio Pitbull -360
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