UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev continues on the early prelims with a fight between Kody Steele and Noah Gugnon in the lightweight division. Check out our UFC 333 odds series for our Steele-Gugnon prediction and pick.
Kody Steele (8-1) steps into the Octagon after recently secured a dominant first-round finish against Dom Mar Fan, following a decision loss in his UFC debut as he comes into his fight this weekend against Noah Gugnon.
Noah Gugnon (10-2) brings a dangerous six-fight win streak into the Octagon. He recently secured a first-round submission over Milos Janicic in his promotional debut following a dominant TKO win against Bruno Matos de Sousa as he comes into his fight this weekend against Kody Steele.
UFC 333 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings
UFC 333 Odds: Kody Steele-Noah Gugnon Odds
Kody Steele: -155
Noah Gugnon: +130
Over 2.5 rounds: +130
Under 2.5 rounds: -166
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Kody Steele Will Win
Kody Steele is perfectly primed to keep his momentum going when he faces Noah Gugnon at UFC 333 this weekend. The grappling phenom has seamlessly transitioned his elite jiu-jitsu into high-level mixed martial arts and possesses the exact stylistic tools needed to neutralize Gugnon.
While Gugnon enters this matchup riding a dangerous six-fight win streak he has not faced a prospect with the sheer physical strength and submission pedigree that Steele brings to the Octagon. Steele demonstrated his rapidly evolving striking with a spectacular knockout over Alejandro Gavidia before returning to his roots to dismantle Chasen Blair on Dana White's Contender Series.
Gugnon relies heavily on overwhelming his opponents with early pressure and capitalizing on frantic scrambles on the canvas. However Steele is virtually impossible to catch in those wild transitions and maintains exceptional heavy top control that drains the stamina of his opponents.
If Gugnon attempts to force the grappling exchanges he will be willingly stepping into a realm where the undefeated prospect holds a massive technical advantage. Steele will likely use his explosive striking to set up perfectly timed takedowns and easily dominate the positional hierarchy.
Expect the highly touted Contender Series standout to dictate the pace of this fight from the opening bell. Steele will eventually break Gugnon down on the mat and secure a statement submission victory in the later rounds to officially announce his arrival.
Why Noah Gugnon Will Win
Noah Gugnon has the precise stylistic tools and high-level experience necessary to hand Kody Steele his first professional defeat at UFC 333 this weekend. The French prospect brings a potent combination of dynamic striking and opportunistic submissions that make him a threat in every realm of mixed martial arts.
While Steele is undeniably a phenomenal submission grappler, he has rarely faced an opponent who can seamlessly transition between violent standup exchanges and aggressive ground attacks. Gugnon demonstrated exactly that finishing ability by brutally stopping Bruno Matos de Sousa with strikes before returning to submit Milos Janicic in his promotional debut.
The most significant advantage for Gugnon lies in his striking volume and ability to maintain a frantic pace over three rounds. If he can utilize his footwork to force Steele into extended striking exchanges he will easily secure the dominant moments needed to win rounds.
Article Continues BelowGugnon's defensive grappling will be paramount in this matchup. However his extensive experience across twelve professional bouts provides him with the necessary cage awareness to avoid prolonged periods of bottom control.
Expect Gugnon to weather the early grappling storm and capitalize on Steele's developing striking defense. A late TKO stoppage or a hard-fought unanimous decision victory is highly likely for the surging French standout.
Final Kody Steele-Noah Gugnon Prediction & Pick
Kody Steele holds the necessary grappling pedigree and evolving striking skills to secure a dominant victory over Noah Gugnon. His undeniable physical strength and heavy top control will likely neutralize the early offensive pressure that Gugnon heavily relies upon.
While Gugnon is a dangerous finisher with significant professional experience, he has not faced a prospect who seamlessly blends explosive striking with elite submission grappling. Steele possesses the exact stylistic tools needed to dictate the pace and keep the French standout on his back foot.
The most likely outcome is a calculated, methodical breakdown from Steele as he utilizes his striking to set up perfectly timed takedowns. Expect Steele standout to secure a statement submission finish in the later rounds, keeping his momentum intact.
Final Kody Steele-Noah Gugnon Prediction & Pick: Kody Steele (-155), UNDER 2.5 Rounds (-166)