Cole Smith vs Hunter Azure Pick, 9-5-2020 UFC Predictions Vegas 9 Odds

by Josh Schonwald - 9/4/2020

Cole Smith vs Hunter Azure

UFC Vegas 9

UFC Apex

Saturday, September 5, 2020

Cole Smith will enter the Octagon with Hunter Azure at UFC Vegas 9 on Saturday, September 5, 2020. The opener has Smith at +185 while Azure is at -225.

Cole "The Cole Train" Smith looks to add a victory to his career record of 7-1-0. The 31-year-old steps on the scale at 135 lbs and stands 5'11". The orthodox fighter reaches 67". Hunter Azure stands 5'8" and is fighting at 145 lbs. The orthodox fighter has a mark of 8-1-0. The 28-year-old stretches 69". When talking about significant strikes, Cole Smith is connecting on 1.63 per min while Hunter Azure is connecting on 4.71 significant strikes per min. Smith is landing 33% of the significant strikes he attempts and Azure is connecting on 49%. Concerning their defense in the cage, "The Cole Train" takes 1.53 significant strikes per minute and Azure allows 1.97. Smith also curbs 61% of the significant strikes that are directed at him and Azure is able to defend against 63% of the strikes thrown his way.

In terms of wrestling, Cole Smith is not as effective of a wrestler as he takes his opponents to the canvas 1.50 times per 15 min. Smith is taking his opponents to the canvas on 30% of his attempts and is defending 66% of all takedown tries against him. Azure is taking his opponents to the mat on 33% of the takedowns he attempts and defending 81% of the tries against him. When it comes to going for the sub, Smith is not as skilled of a technician by trying 1.1 submissions per 15 min while Azure attempts 1.9 submissions per 3 rounds.

In his previous bout, Cole Smith squared up with Miles Johns and wound up losing the fight via split decision in round 3. Johns landed 63 of 104 total strikes that he threw in that fight. Smith finished this fight landing 26 of 75 total strikes. When talking about significant strikes, Johns ended up landing 31 of 65, which means his percentage was 47%. He finished the fight landing 29 of 62 significant strikes aimed at the head. On the other side of the Octagon, Smith ended up landing 19% of his significant strikes by connecting on 11 of 57. Of all the significant strikes, he connected on 4 of 42 aimed at the head. 64% of the significant strikes landed by Johns and 81% of them connected on by Smith were done at distance.

Related: Get UFC predictions

In the last bout for Hunter Azure, he fought Brian Kelleher and walked away in defeat by a punch to the head in round 2. Kelleher connected on 93% of the significant strikes he attempted at distance while Azure landed 95% of the significant strikes he attempted at distance. Azure ended up landing 46% of his significant strikes attempted by connecting on 62 of 132. He ended up landing 37 of 98 significant strikes directed at the head. Kelleher connected on 29 of 99 significant strikes in that battle. Of those significant strikes, he connected on 18 of 68 aimed at the head. Relating to total strikes that he threw in that fight, Kelleher connected on 32 of 102 and Azure connected on 67 of 139 of all the strikes he threw.

Other fights on the card to watch

Another fight that you're going to want to watch is when Michel Pereira squares up against Zelim Imadaev. Pereira walks into the Octagon with a record of 23-11-0. The 26-year-old steps on the scale at 170 lbs and measures 6'1". The orthodox fighter has a wingspan of 73". Imadaev measures 6'0" and is weighing in at 170 lbs. The orthodox fighter walks into the cage with a record of 8-2-0. The 25-year-old stretches 76". When it comes to grappling, Michel Pereira takes his opponents to the mat 2.00 times per 3 rounds while Zelim Imadaev is averaging a takedown 0.60 times per 3 rounds. When talking about striking, Pereira is landing 3.04 strikes per min and connecting on 51% of the strikes that he throws. On the other side we have Zelim Imadaev, who connects on 41% of the strikes he has thrown and is landing 3.69 per minute.

If you're into fun fights, you're going to want to see when Jalin Turner is set to take on Thiago Moises. Moises comes into this fight with a mark of 13-4-0. The 25-year-old is fighting at 155 lbs and measures in at 5'9". The orthodox fighter has a reach of 70". Turner stands 6'3" and records a weight of 155 lbs. The southpaw fighter walks into the cage with a record of 9-5-0. The 25-year-old extends his reach 77". In the category of takedowns, Thiago Moises prevents 68% of his opponents' takedown tries and is finishing his takedown tries on 28% of the times he tries. Turner is finishing his takedown tries on 50% of his attempts and defends against 76% of the takedowns his opponents try. In the category of striking, Moises takes 3.54 strikes per min while he connects on 2.68 strikes per minute. Turner, at the same time, absorbs 3.91 strikes/minute and is dishing out 5.95 per min.

Who will win tonight's UFC match against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Cole Smith (+185)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get all of Today's Free UFC Picks

Get all of Today's Expert UFC Picks

Start:	November 24, 2024 @ 1:00 PM
Expert:	Scott Spreitzer
Free $60 Account Sign Up

Cole Smith vs Hunter Azure Pick, 9-5-2020 UFC Predictions Vegas 9 Odds

Most Recent UFC Picks