Marcus McGhee vs Gaston Bolanos Prediction: A tough contest expected despite McGhee being favored

Marcus McGhee is scheduled to step into the Octagon against Gaston Bolanos at UFC Vegas 84 on Saturday. In the opening bout, McGhee is favored to win, whereas Bolanos is entering as the underdog.

In his most recent Octagon appearance, Marcus McGhee faced JP Buys and secured the victory with a first-round head punch. JP Buys managed to land only 4 of his 30 total strikes attempted, while Marcus McGhee connected on 7 of his 13 total strikes. In terms of significant strikes, JP Buys' accuracy rate was 13%, landing 4 of 30, and he successfully landed 2 of 22 significant strikes aimed at the head. Conversely, Marcus McGhee showcased a higher accuracy, landing 53% of his significant strikes by hitting 7 of 13. Among these significant strikes, he connected on 6 of 11 aimed at the head. Notably, all significant strikes by both JP Buys and Marcus McGhee were achieved at a distance.

In Gaston Bolanos' recent bout against Aaron Phillips, Bolanos emerged victorious through a unanimous decision in the third round. During the fight, Aaron Phillips displayed an impressive 94% accuracy in landing significant strikes at a distance, while Gaston Bolanos achieved a 68% accuracy in the same category. Bolanos successfully connected on 49% of his significant strikes, hitting 63 out of 127, with 32 of them aimed at the head.

In contrast, Aaron Phillips connected on 17 of 39 significant strikes with an accuracy of 7 out of 22 aimed at the head. In terms of total strikes thrown, Aaron Phillips landed 79 out of 104, while Gaston Bolanos secured 69 out of 135 total strikes.

In summary, the bantamweight clash featuring Marcus McGhee and Gaston Bolaños promises to be an enthralling spectacle. Although both fighters possess distinct strengths in the octagon, McGhee's well-rounded skill set, especially his precise striking and defensive prowess, positions him as the frontrunner. Consequently, Marcus McGhee emerges as the favored pick in this captivating matchup. This contest extends beyond a mere display of physical abilities; it is a strategic fight where the implementation of astute tactics could prove pivotal in determining the outcome.