UFC ON ESPN 52: Bellato vs. Potieria 12/2/23 – The latest event, UFC on ESPN 52, is set for December 2, 2023 at Moody Center, Austin, Texas, USA venue. In the prelim event, light heavyweights Rodolfo “Trator” Bellato and Ihor “Duelist” Potieria will clash in an intriguing matchup between a young up-and-comer and an experienced veteran. As a cost-free MMA tip, this is a great fight for bettors to key in on.
UFC ON ESPN 52: Rodolfo Bellato vs. Ihor Potieria 12/2/23 Info
| When: | Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 4:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Moody Center, Austin, Texas, USA |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
Rodolfo “Trator” Bellato Analysis
Rodolfo “Trator” Bellato does appear to be the superior striker based on significant strikes landed per minute. He lands 5.39 per minute with strong 62% accuracy, while Potieria lands slightly less at 4.44 per minute, albeit with a lower 56% clip. It’s on the mat where Trator excels. He lands 0.82 takedowns per 15 minutes with one of the best takedown accuracies in the division at 25%. Once gaining top control, Bellato unleashes nasty ground-and-pound, averaging 0.8 submissions per 15 minutes. He also has yet to be taken down himself in the UFC. His two Octagon losses have come via close decisions where he slowed down late after a fast start. But with improved cardio, the 27-year-old Bellato seems to have addressed that sole weakness at this stage of his career.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt trains out of the renowned Chute Boxe camp, where he prepares alongside the likes of UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo. Under head coach Diego Lima, Bellato has added key striking weapons to complement his world-class grappling base. He intelligently mixes in threatened takedowns to open up his stand-up offense, freezing opponents in place with feints before unleashing powerful blitzes. Already with proven knockout power via punches and knees, Bellato’s striking skills have clearly leveled up as of late.
Moreover, the marked improvement in Bellato’s cardio can’t be understated. He has focused on skill refinement over grueling conditioning in some previous training camps. But since implementing more running, weight training and specific fight-paced drills, Bellato hasn’t slowed down for even a moment in his last three Octagon appearances. The frightening end result is a well-rounded fighter entering his athletic prime, able to overwhelm foes anywhere the fight goes.
Ihor “Duelist” Potieria Analsyis
Ihor “Duelist” Potieria does almost all of his work on the feet. While he lands his share of strikes, his below-average 42% defense often makes him easy to hit. Duelist is taken down a third of the time as well, completing zero takedowns of his own across 23 career fights. Though 19 of his wins have come via knockout, he noticeably fades down the stretch when unable to finish foes early. In fact, all four career losses for the Ukrainian knockout artist have been decisions.
Potieria had won three straight with three finishes. But all those wins came against lower-level opposition lacking the same diversity in attack as Bellato. The lone common opponent between the two is Brazilian slugger Vitor Petinho, who Potieria starched in the first round two years back. Meanwhile, Bellato thoroughly dominated Petinho last summer over three rounds before locking up a rear-naked choke submission late.
Training out Potieria works alongside solid training partners but doesn’t quite have access to the same high-level coaches and talent as Bellato at Chute Boxe. The knock on Duelist has always been his lack of grappling and defensive fundamentals. And while his power can erase mistakes against the division’s second tier, he hasn’t fared as well historically against top-flight foes able to expose those underlying flaws.
Rodolfo Bellato vs. Ihor Potieria Stats
| Bellato | Potieria | |
| Wins/Losses/Draws | 11-2-0 | 19-4-0 |
| Average Fight Time | 9:11 | 4:37 |
| Height | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 3″ |
| Weight | 205 lbs. | 205 lbs. |
| Reach | 75″ | 75″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Southpaw |
| Strikes Landed per Min. | 5.39 | 4.44 |
| Striking Accuracy | 62% | 56% |
| Strikes Absorbed per Min. | 4.90 | 5.52 |
| Defense | 45% | 42% |
| Takedowns Average/15 min. | 0.82 | 0.00 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 25% | 0% |
| Takedown Defense | 100% | 33% |
| Submission Average/15 min. | 0.8 | 0.0 |
Rodolfo Bellato vs. Ihor Potieria Betting Pick
Given Bellato’s clear grappling advantage, diversity in attack and improved conditioning, expect him to implement a smart game plan mixing timely takedowns and pressure striking to take control as the fight wares. Potieria will be dangerous early as always, but won’t have enough in the gas tank to put Bellato away should the Brazilian withstand the initial onslaught. As a Pro handicapping advice pick, betting Bellato by submission at plus money odds brings excellent value.
Free Pick: Rodolfo “Trator” Bellato -375
The pro handicapping advice favors Rodolfo Bellato as the likely winner against Ihor Potieria in their upcoming UFC on ESPN 52 bout. Bellato’s combination of precise striking, solid grappling defense, and submission skills position him as a formidable opponent in this light heavyweight clash. This matchup promises to be a tactical and physically demanding contest, showcasing the evolving landscape of the light heavyweight division.