UFC 232 Odds & Betting Preview

Ultimate Fighting Championships President Dana White alerted the media that UFC 232 between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson has been moved from T-Mobile Arena to The Forum in Inglewood, California. The Forum is where Magic Johnson, Kareem, and the L.A. Lakers did their work until the late 1980’s.

Will Jones take down Gustafsson in Showtime’s old haunt? Or, will Alexander come up huge? Check out analysis, UFC odds, and picks for the 5 top fights on UFC 232’s main card!

UFC 232 Odds & Betting Preview

• When:  Saturday, Dec. 29 at 10:00 pm MST
• Where:  T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
• TV: PPV
• Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass

Alex Volkanovski vs Chad Mendes 

• UFC 232 Odds: Volkanovski +130 / Mendes -150

Mendes is the favorite even though Volkanovski is 18-1 while Mendes is 18-4. Vokanovski has a higher knockdown average every 15 minutes, flooring his opponents .73 after every quarter-hour while Mendes takes down his opponents .68 every 15 minutes.

The key in this fight is Mendes’ patience and grappling ability versus Volkanovski’s aggression. If Mendes can weather the early part of the fight, he should be in a position to win a decision or wear down Volkanovski by Round 3.

UFC 232 Pick: Chad Mendes

Corey Anderson vs Ilir Latifi 

• UFC 232 Odds: Anderson +130 / Latifi -150

This looks like a bad matchup for the tough Ilir Latifi. Although a great brawler, 40% of  Latifi’s wins have come via KO or TKO, he’s up against it versus the highly skilled Corey Anderson. Anderson’s won 67% of his fights via decision. He takes his time and utilizes both a strong standup and ground game to out point his opponents. Anderson’s 6’ 3” to Latifi’s 5’ 10” and has a significant 6” reach advantage. Anderson takes it. UFC 232 Pick: Corey Anderson

Michael Chiesa vs Carlos Condit 

• UFC 232 Odds: Chiesa -180 / Condit +150

27-5 Carlos Condit used to be one of the most feared fighters at UFC. He shows up on Dec. 29 a dog to Michael Chiesa. Chiesa heads to this off a loss, but he’s got an awesome ground game.

He’s never knocked out a single opponent. Still, he averages a takedown 2.87 times every 15 minutes. That’s impressive. What’s also impressive is his takedown accuracy, 39%, and his takedown defense, 68%.

Chiesa puts a beating on Conduit and wins a decision.

UFC 232 Pick: Michael Chiesa

Amanda Nunes vs Cris Cyborg 

• UFC 232 Odds: Nunes +215 / Cyborg -265

Does Amanda Nunes have any shot against Cris Cyborg? Not really. Nunes is a good fighter. Cyborg is a great fighter. She’s won 85% of her fights via KO. Not only that, but where Nunes has an edge, in grappling, Cyborg’s got excellent defense.

Cris prevents 91% of takedown attempts. Unless she doesn’t show up ready to fight, Cyborg should end Amanda Nunes’ night early.

UFC 232 Pick: Cris Cyborg

Alexander Gustafsson vs Jon Jones 

• Gustafsson +210 / Jones -260

These two fought way back in 2013. Gustafsson battled Bones Jones, but Jones won via unanimous decision. Since then, Gustafsson’s fought great. He’s won 3-of-5. One of the losses was a Round 5 decision to Daniel Cormier.

Gustafsson believes he’s good enough to hang with the favored Jones. Jones beat Cormier in his last fight via a Round 3 KO. However, that rumble took place way back on July 29, 2017. There’s no telling if he’s ready off the layoff.

Gustafsson gets the nod only because of that. It makes sense to take a swing on a plus +200 dog battling a fighter that hasn’t stepped into the Octagon in over a year and a half.

UFC 232 Pick: Alexander Gustaffson