Combate Americas 51 Ortiz vs. Rodriguez: Odds, Picks & Betting Preview

• Tito Ortiz set to make Combate Americas debut
• Alberto Rodriguez is the former WWE heavyweight champion
• See the betting breakdown of the main event

Tito Ortiz is still fighting at 44-years-old and is set to make his Combate Americas debut when he takes on the promotion’s president and former WWE heavyweight champion, Alberto Rodriguez, aka Alberto Del Rio.

The card also features Desiree Yanez vs. Melissa Martinez and airs on FITE at 7 p.m. ET on December 7th.

Tito Ortiz vs. Alberto Rodriguez Odds

Odds taken Dec. 3

Can Rodriguez Pull off the Upset?

Tito Ortiz (20-12 and one no-contest) is coming off of a knockout win over Chuck Liddell in November of 2018 in Golden Boy Promotions first and only MMA event. Before that, he submitted Chael Sonnen in 2017 in Bellator.

Ortiz is the former UFC light heavyweight champion where he had notable wins over the likes of Ken Shamrock, Wanderlei Silva, Patrick Cote, Ryan Bader, Vitor Belfort, and Forrest Griffin among others. When he went to Bellator he challenged for the light heavyweight title but lost to Liam McGeary.

Tito Ortiz knocks out Chuck Liddell in 2018's neon trash fire. #LiddellOrtiz3 pic.twitter.com/3DdFSoBrH1

— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) November 25, 2018

Alberto Rodriguez (9-5) has not fought in MMA since February of 2010 when he lost by TKO to Yamamoto Hanshi in Cage of Combat. He did fight in Pride early on his career, where he went 0-2 losing by knockout to Mirko Cro Cop and by decision to Kazuhiro Nakamura.

His biggest win is a submission win over former UFC veteran Brad Kohler. Rodriguez also went on a six-fight winning streak near the tail-end of his career.

Tale of the Tape

As the odds suggest, this should not be a close fight. Although Ortiz is 44-years-old, he showed in his last two fights he can hang on the old man’s circuit in Bellator and in Golden Boy. He still is in shape and has some power in his hands while his wrestling will always be there.

Rodriguez, was at his best in wrestling and submission during his MMA career, so it was no surprise he left to go to WWE.

However, he has not fought since 2010 so it will be very interesting to see how he looks after nearly 10 years away from fighting. He had made it known he has been training and is ready for this fight.

Yet, I see this being a dominating performance and Ortiz winning by knockout in the first or second round. This should be the first of many wins for Tito Ortiz in Combate Americas.

Pick: Tito Ortiz (-1100)

Melissa Martinez vs. Desiree Yanez Odds

Who’s Going to Become the Strawweight Champion?

Melissa Martinez (6-0) is a very impressive 5-0 in Combate Americas and one of their biggest stars in the promotion. She has dominated all her opponents as she has only gone to the scorecards once in her career.

Desiree Yanez (5-1) is riding a four-fight winning streak and is just 1-0 in Combate Americas but does have wins in LFA. She has looked very impressive in her last couple of fights, seemingly getting better each one. Her biggest win to date is Paulina Vargas who she beat last time out to hand Vargas her first loss.

Tale of the Tape

This is a very interesting fight as it will show if Melissa Martinez is the real deal.

Martinez no doubt has a striking advantage, but Yanez has the experience and more cage time. I believe Martinez will be able to pick her shots and hurt Yanez in the first or second and TKO her to become the strawweight champion.

The 20-year-old in Martinez looks legit and will prove it here.

Pick: Melissa Martinez (-145)