On Saturday, Feb. 15, Ultimate Fighting Championships heads to the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. UFC puts on a show with 7 preliminary fights and 6 bouts on the main card. Ranked light heavyweights Corey Anderson and Jan Blachowicz throw down in the main event. Can favorite Corey Anderson punish the underdog? Or, will Jan Blachowicz step it up at big odds? Check out UFC odds, previews, and free picks for the main card fights!
UFC ESPN Anderson vs Blachowicz 2020 MMA Betting Lines & Fight Preview
- When: Saturday, Feb. 15 at 5:00 pm PDT
- Where: Santa Ana Star Center, Rio Rancho, NM
- TV: ESPN+
Lando Vannata vs Yancy Medeiros
- UFC ESPN Odds: Vannata -114 / Medeiros -116
Lando Vannata has better grappling skills. He forces 1.62 takedowns per every 15 attempts. Vannata also lands the more significant strikes per minute, 4.96 to 4.1. But Medeiros has a massive 4 ½-inch reach advantage. Medeiros should use that reach to keep Vannata out of range. Back the slight favorite in this matchup.
UFC ESPN Betting Pick: Yancy Medeiros
Rogerio Bontorin vs Ray Borg
- UFC ESPN Odds: Bontorin +118 / Borg -148
Bontorin is 15-1. Borg is 11-4. Although based on records, Borg should offer underdog odds, he’s a big favorite. The reason? This fight should take place on the mat. Both have won a majority of their fights via submission. Bontorin has decent grappling skills. But Borg is a master. Ray prevents takedowns 38% of the time, which means he can fight from a defensive position. Borg should win this battle.
UFC ESPN Betting Pick: Ray Borg
Brok Weaver vs Kazula Vargas
- UFC ESPN Odds: Weaver -275 / Vargas +215
Brok Weaver outweighs Kazula Vargas by 15 pounds. That has to be the reason oddsmakers and MMA handicappers have jumped all over Weaver. But Vargas is a tough guy. He’s got a great 10-2 record. Also, he has no fear since he’s willing to jump into the Octagon versus a bigger opponent. Vargas lost his last via decision. He’s worth a shot to get back on the winning track here. Outside of size, Weaver doesn’t have that many more advantages over Kazula.
UFC ESPN Betting Pick: Kazula Vargas
Montana De La Rosa vs Mara Romero Borella
- UFC ESPN Odds: De La Rosa -180 / Romero Borella +150
8 of De La Rosa’s 10 wins have come via submission. That puts Romero Borella in a tough spot. Mara has won via knockout, submission, and decision. But Montana lands more significant strikes per minute, 3.46 to 2.98. Romero Borella’s takedown defense stands at 66%. It means De La Rosa can decide when and if the fight goes to the ground. Tough to go against chalk.
UFC ESPN Betting Pick: Montana De La Rosa
Diego Sanchez vs Michel Pereira
- UFC ESPNOdds: Sanchez +135 / Pereira -165
There was a time when Sanchez-Pereira would have been the main event. Not anymore. Both fighters lost their top form a while ago. Although that’s true, Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez and Michel “Demolidor” Pereira can still throw down. Diego is 2-2 SU in his last 4. Michel is 1-1 in his last couple of bouts. Pereira appears to have the overall better game at this point. He averages 3.36 strikes per while Sanchez’s takedown defense stands at 50%. Michel takes this.
UFC ESPN Betting Pick: Michel Pereira
Corey Anderson vs Jan Blachowicz
- UFC ESPN Odds: Anderson -230 / Blachowicz +190
The winner of Anderson-Blachowicz could be in line for a light heavyweight title fight. Anderson is on a 3-fight win streak. He got 2 victories via decision. He raised his hands for the third win after a TKO/KO. Blachowicz is on a 2-fight win streak. Jan beat Luke Rockhold via TKO/KO and Ronaldo Souza via decision.
Anderson has an inch advantage in height and reach. He lands more significant punches per round. He’s got the better overall grappling skills. But Blachowicz got by a couple of borderline legends in his last 2 fights. Anderson should win. It doesn’t mean he will. Back the dog at the odds.
UFC ESPN Betting Pick for Anderson vs Blachowicz: Jan Blachowicz
