<p>When UFC 318 takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Sunday (8:00AM AEST), most eyes will be attracted to the headline event of Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier. However, MMA enthusiasts will know there is a preliminary fight on the card that is a must-see.</p> <p>Ateba Gautier has been making waves in the UFC, forging a reputation for himself in the early stages of his professional career as an upcoming star. He has only just made his way to the UFC, but he has been an unstoppable force wherever he has fought.</p> <p>Still, Robert Valentin is another fighter looking to prove something in the UFC. However, his first two bouts with the promotion didn’t go the way he wanted, making Gautier the early favourite in the betting…</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Ateba Gautier vs Robert Valentin: Tale of the Tape</h2> <p>With both fighters relatively unknown to bettors, the tale of the tape can provide helpful information that may aid in making informed decisions (Gautier first, Valentin second):</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li> <p>Age - 23 vs 30</p> </li> <li> <p>Height - 6'4" (193 cm) vs 6'2" (188 cm)</p> </li> <li> <p>Weight - 185 lbs (84 kg) vs 185 lbs (84 kg)</p> </li> <li> <p>Reach - 81" (206 cm) vs 77" (196 cm)</p> </li> <li> <p>Stance - Switch vs Orthodox</p> </li> <li> <p>Record - 7-1-0 vs 11-5-0 (1 NC)</p> </li> <li> <p>KO/TKO Wins - 6 vs 3</p> </li> <li> <p>Submission Wins - 0 vs 8</p> </li> <li> <p>Decision Wins - 1 vs 1</p> </li> <li> <p>UFC Record - 1-0 vs 0-2</p> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Ateba Gautier vs Robert Valentin: Betting Preview</h2> <p>Gautier managed to win his maiden fight in his debut UFC contest comprehensively when he defeated Jose Medina in the first round of their encounter. For Valentin, his first two UFC contests ended in defeat, with his first a TKO/KO loss, followed by a split decision that handed him his second defeat and fifth loss of his career.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ateba Gautier’s Last Five Opponents:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p>Jose Medina - Win (TKO) - Mar 2025</p> </li> <li> <p>Yura Naito - Win (TKO) - Sept 2024</p> </li> <li> <p>Carlos de Souza - Win (TKO) - Dec 2023</p> </li> <li> <p>Vuk Lekic - Win (TKO) - Jun 2023</p> </li> <li> <p>Yu-Joe Lewis Lai - Win (TKO) - Apr 2023</p> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Robert Valetin’s Last Five Opponents:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p>Torrez Finney - Loss (SD) - Apr 2025</p> </li> <li> <p>Ryan Loder - Loss (TKO) - Aug 2024</p> </li> <li> <p>Paddy McCorry - Win (Submission) - Apr 2024</p> </li> <li> <p>Giannis Bachar - Win (KO) - Mar 2024</p> </li> <li> <p>Zoran Dod - Win (Sub) - Dec 2023</p> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Ateba Gautier vs Robert Valentin: Betting Predictions</h2> <p>Both men enjoy quick contests, with each of them having recorded first-round victories in their last five. However, Gautier is scary good, as he has five first-round TKOs in his last six fights. In the other, he won in the second round.</p> <p>It’s why he is the big favourite to win in the latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/ufc-mma/ufc-matches/ateba-gautier-v-robert-valentin-9395075">Gautier vs Valentin betting odds</a> available at Sportsbet. An early finish is expected, as his striking is high-output and accurate, with big power early. Valentin struggled with athletic strikers and was stopped via ground and pound in his fight against Ryan Loder.</p> <p>If available, Gautier KO/TKO in Round 1 or 2 is where the value will be.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>