Nathaniel Wood struggled at bantamweight for years, losing tough fights and questioning his future. Then he moved up to featherweight and everything clicked. Five wins in six fights later, including impressive performances against ranked competition, Wood looks rejuvenated at 145 pounds. Now he faces Jose Delgado at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Delgado trains at MMA Lab alongside champions like Sean O’Malley. This Nathaniel Wood vs Jose Delgado matchup features a resurgent veteran against a young, hungry contender.
Wood stands just 5’6″ with a 69 inch reach and brings a 21-6 record. He lands 5.66 significant strikes per minute at 51% accuracy while absorbing 3.89. His wrestling shows 1.41 takedowns per fight at 48% accuracy with solid 72% takedown defense.
Delgado measures 5’11” with a 74 inch reach. His 10-1 record showcases elite athleticism with 7.13 strikes per minute at 49% accuracy while absorbing 3.67. His wrestling dominates with 4.58 takedowns per fight at 60% accuracy and matching 71% takedown defense.
Nathaniel Wood vs Jose Delgado Predictions And Picks
This fight comes down to whether Wood’s experience and polished skills can overcome Delgado’s youth, size, and training environment advantages. Wood has competed against elite bantamweights and featherweights throughout his career, learning what works at the highest levels. However, Delgado represents the worst possible matchup: a longer, younger, faster athlete who trains daily with champions.
Delgado’s five-inch advantages in both height and reach allow him to control distance effortlessly, keeping Wood on the end of strikes while avoiding the Englishman’s combinations. When Wood tries to close distance and get inside, Delgado’s 4.58 takedowns per fight at 60% accuracy give him wrestling options.
If we bet on this fight, we are going with Jose Delgado to win via unanimous decision.
Nathaniel Wood vs Jose Delgado MMA Betting Odds
Jose Delgado enters as the favorite at -158 on FanDuel. Meanwhile, Nathaniel Wood is the +128 underdog. The odds reflect confidence in Delgado’s size, athleticism, and training advantages making him dangerous for the smaller Wood.
The odds for the fight going the distance stand at +122. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is slightly higher and the odds (-156) reflect that expectation.
Nathaniel Wood vs Jose Delgado Best Bets
Here are some of the best bets for Nathaniel Wood vs Jose Delgado fight at UFC 321:
Delgado by Decision (+430)
Excellent value on the most likely outcome. His size and technical advantages should control the fight, but Wood’s durability makes a finish unlikely.
Over 2.5 Rounds (-106)
Wood’s experience and toughness suggest he survives to see the judges decision despite facing significant disadvantages throughout.
Delgado Moneyline (-158)
Fair odds on the younger, bigger, better-trained fighter. His physical advantages combined with elite sparring partners give him clear edges everywhere.
(All odds taken from FanDuel. Bet on the most up-to-date MMA odds, lines, and spreads with FanDuel Sportsbook)
(Image Credit: Per Haljestam – Imagn Images)
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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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