At the main event at UFC 304, Leon Edwards, the UFC Welterweight Champion, and Belal Muhammed run it back. Before the Octagon comes alive, let’s delve into the captivating online UFC betting lines for the entire card, analyze the fighters’ strategies, and uncover some golden betting lines and props!
Early look at UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 | MyBookie MMA Betting Preview for Main Fight Card
UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2
Saturday, July 27, 2024 – 10 PM ET main card start | ESPN+ PPV
Co-op Live Arena | Manchester, England
Betting UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2
In the first bout, Edwards and Muhammed fought to a no contest draw. Which mixed martial artist gets it done in the rematch?
Before Muhammed and Edwards throw down, Tom Aspinall takes on Curtis Blaydes and King Green steps into the Octagon versus Paddy Pimblett.
From the opening prelim fight to the stacked main card and two title fights closing out the night, there are plenty of opportunities to put some money in your pocket at MyBookie.
These betting lines are as fair and accurate as can be.
Preliminary Card Betting Odds
The prelims are full of very exciting athletes and close matchups from top to bottom for fans and sports bettors around the world to enjoy.
From UK stars like Molly McCann and Nathaniel Wood being big betting favorites, to close fights with KO artists like Gregory “RoboCop” Rodrigues, this card will be worth tuning into from the very beginning.
There are also a few young prospects looking to make a name for themselves and will be able to in front of an eager sold-out crowd in Manchester.
The Main Event
UFC 304 will have a rematch in the welterweight division headlining the massive card.
Leon Edwards looks to defend his world title again, this time versus a battle-tested contender in Belal Muhammad.
These two met in the UFC octagon back in 2021 where the fight abruptly ended due to an accidental eye poke by Edwards, causing damage to the eye of Muhammad.
This unfortunate outcome caused a lot of bad blood between these two elite welterweights.
With that no-contest on the books, UFC 304 will host the rematch, this time on the sport’s biggest stage.
Who will come out on top?
This will be a great matchup between an all-around world-class martial artist in Edwards going up against an elite wrestler like Muhammad.
Will the wrestling of the challenger be enough to take the welterweight throne?
Co-Main Event
The co-main event at UFC 304 is arguably even more exciting than the main.
The interim UFC heavyweight title will be defended by England’s own, Tom Aspinall, in another rematch on the card.
Curtis Blaydes will look to steal the interim crown on Aspinall’s home soil.
This will be a great matchup between the modern heavyweight style of Aspinall, using his speed and size in all areas of MMA, and the great wrestling of Blaydes.
Other Notable Fighters on the Card
Some other great matchups on the card include:
Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett in the lightweight division, Manel Kape vs. Muhammad Mokaev in the flyweight division, Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze in the featherweight division, and Daniel Pineda vs. Nathaniel Wood in the featherweight division.
Each of these fights will make for a spectacle for the UK fans and force those at home to scoot up to the edge of their seats in anticipation of an electric finish.
UFC 304 Main Card Betting Odds
Writer’s Picks for UFC 304: Edwards vs Muhammed 2 Main Card
Arnold Allen -270 vs Giga Chikadze +204
This matchup between two of the most skilled featherweights in the world will be a perfect kick-off to the PPV portion of this event.
The elite striking from both fighters will make for an incredibly exciting fight that could end at any moment.
Giga Chikadze has physical advantages.
The +185 underdog is 6’ 0” compared to favored Arnold Allen’s 5’ 8” frame.
Chikadze also has a 4 inches reach advantage.
In addition, Chikadze has won 4-of-5 while the chalk has lost 2 straight.
Granted, Allen has fought the better competition, but it’s tough for a mixed martial artist to turn it around after suffering consecutive losses.
There’s no reason not to take a chance on the dog.
UFC 304 Pick: Giga Chikadze
Christian Leroy Duncan -140 vs Gregory Rodrigues +120
The odds imply a tight match. The slight underdog in this, Gregory Rodrigues, has won 4-of-5.
Rodrigues knocked out all 4 of his opponents, including sending Brandon Tavares to the showers in the third round before the final bell.
Christian Leroy Duncan has also won 4-of-5. Both Duncan and Rodrigues are knockout artists.
The difference between the two is that Rodrigues lost his bout via KO while Duncan lost his via unanimous decision.
The chalk prevails.
UFC 304 Pick: Christian Leroy Duncan
Muhammad Mokaev -120 vs. Manel Kape -106
These two flyweight contenders have practically been begging the UFC for a title shot and either one could get one from a highlight performance here.
These two have all the talent in the world but have yet to prove they are the superstar they believe they are.
This will most likely be an EVEN odds matchup by Fight Night.
King Green -136 vs Paddy Pimblett +107
Formerly known as Bobby Green, King will be sporting a new name and look to shut down the hype of one of the UK’s biggest stars, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett.
Pimblett has seen lots of criticism and calls for a test of his skills–which he will get against the proven veteran contender.
The odds recently changed from Green a -115 favorite to the even -110 odds on both sides.
Pimblett is English, which means he will fight in front of his country people on Saturday.
Not only that, but Pimblett is much younger.
There are reasons to like Green, who has won 3-of-4. Paddy, though, hasn’t lost since 2018 and is on a 7-match winning streak which includes winning all 5 of his UFC bouts.
Pimblett gets it done.
UFC 304 Pick: Paddy Pimblett
Tom Aspinall -400 vs Curtis Blaydes +285
In a rematch of their fight in 2022, Aspinall looks to overcome that unfortunate night where he blew out his knee in the opening seconds of his fight with Curtis Blaydes in London.
Aspinall will be defending his interim heavyweight belt against a deserving challenger.
Aspinall has won 3-of-4, including beating Sergei Pavlovich in his last.
However, Aspinall’s lone loss in his last 4 came versus Curtis Blaydes.
Blaydes knocked out Aspinall in the first round. The results of the first match between these two should give Curtis Blaydes’s fans hope.
Blaydes is also fighting well after winning 4-of-5.
The disparity in odds is enough to back the dog.
UFC 304 Pick: Curtis Blaydes
Leon Edwards -222 vs Belal Muhammed +170
UFC Welterweight Title
In another rematch where the first fight ended unfortunately, Edwards looks to prove his dominance and spot at the top of the welterweight division yet again.
Muhammed is a decent mixed martial artist but he faces one of the motivated MMA fighters on the planet on Saturday. Edwards is on a mission.
After the no contest versus Muhammed, the champ won a decision over Nate Diaz, beat Kamaru Usman twice, knocking out Usman in one of the bouts, and won a decision victory over Colby Covington.
Muhammed has also been on fire. Muhammad gets his long-awaited title shot and travels into enemy territory to get a massive underdog victory,
UFC 304 Pick: Belal Muhammed
What to Expect
Sports bettors at home can expect very competitive fights.
The biggest betting favorite on the main card is Arnold Allen at only -275 over the +235 Giga Chikadze.
Those odds are so far apart only because Chikadze hasn’t been active recently, but he could potentially be even better than he was a few years ago as a title contender.
Both the co-main and main events are very closely matched and have value on both sides of the cage.
Remember, the UK crowd might be a huge advantage for fighters from that area.
UFC 304 Betting Odds for the Bout
Modestas Bukauskas (-152) vs. Marcin Prachnio (+119)
Shauna Bannon (+110) vs. Ravena Oliveira (-130)
Sam Patterson (-350) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (+255)
Christian Leroy Duncan (-130) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (+110)
Oban Elliot (+129) vs. Preston Parsons (-165)
Michael Parkin (-222) vs. Lukasz Brzeski (+170)
Caolan Loughran (-208) vs. Ramon Taveras (+160)
Molly McCann (-295) vs. Bruna Emanuele Brasil (+220)
Nathaniel Wood (-490) vs. Daniel Pineda (+340)
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UFC 304 Heats Up: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 Rematch – Place Your Bets with Online UFC Betting!
Previous Betting News
The Octagon is set for another fiery encounter as the highly anticipated rematch between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad headlines UFC 304!
This welterweight clash promises explosive action, and savvy fight fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to add an extra layer of excitement with online UFC betting.
Early look at UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 | MyBookie MMA Betting Preview for Main Fight Card
UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2
Saturday, July 27, 2024 – 10 PM ET main card start | ESPN+ PPV
Co-op Live Arena | Manchester, England
Betting UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2
UFC 304 is on the horizon with the company bringing the show to Manchester for the first time since UFC 204 in 2016.
This card will be stacked with the UK’s greatest fighting talents and the card will surely deliver in front of a rowdy crowd.
Let’s take an early look at what to expect from the main event welterweight title fight, and other key fights on the card.
The Main Event
UFC 304 will have a rematch in the welterweight division headlining the massive card.
Leon Edwards looks to defend his world title again, this time versus a battle-tested contender in Belal Muhammad.
These two met in the UFC octagon back in 2021 where the fight abruptly ended due to an accidental eye poke by Edwards, causing damage to the eye of Muhammad.
This unfortunate outcome caused a lot of bad blood between these two elite welterweights.
With that no-contest on the books, UFC 304 will host the rematch, this time on the sport’s biggest stage.
Who will come out on top?
This will be a great matchup between an all-around world-class martial artist in Edwards going up against an elite wrestler like Muhammad.
Will the wrestling of the challenger be enough to take the welterweight throne?
Co-Main Event
The co-main event at UFC 304 is arguably even more exciting than the main.
The interim UFC heavyweight title will be defended by England’s own, Tom Aspinall, in another rematch on the card.
Curtis Blaydes will look to steal the interim crown on Aspinall’s home soil.
This will be a great matchup between the modern heavyweight style of Aspinall, using his speed and size in all areas of MMA, and the great wrestling of Blaydes.
Other Notable Fighters on the Card
Some other great matchups on the card include:
Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett in the lightweight division, Manel Kape vs. Muhammad Mokaev in the flyweight division, Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze in the featherweight division, and Daniel Pineda vs. Nathaniel Wood in the featherweight division.
Each of these fights will make for a spectacle for the UK fans and force those at home to scoot up to the edge of their seats in anticipation of an electric finish.
What to Expect
Sports bettors at home can expect very competitive fights.
The biggest betting favorite on the main card is Arnold Allen at only -275 over the +235 Giga Chikadze.
Those odds are so far apart only because Chikadze hasn’t been active recently, but he could potentially be even better than he was a few years ago as a title contender.
Both the co-main and main events are very closely matched and have value on both sides of the cage.
Remember, the UK crowd might be a huge advantage for fighters from that area.
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Place your wagers on Edwards vs. Muhammad 2, explore exciting prop bets and fight outcomes, and experience the drama of the Octagon like never before!
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UFC 200 Odds & Expert Pick for Cormier vs. Jones
Previous Betting News
The star-studded UFC 200 card in Las Vegas on Saturday, the biggest night of MMA fighting in history, was supposed to be headlined by a rematch between Conor McGregor, arguably the biggest star in the sport, against Nate Diaz. However, McGregor decided he didn’t want to help promote the fight so the bout was taken off the card and eventually moved to UFC 202. Now, the main event bout features former pound-for-pound champion Jon Jones taking on Daniel Cormier in a light-heavyweight unification bout. Jones is a -305 favorite on Mybookie.ag betting lines with Cormier at +245. The over/under is 4.5 rounds, with the over a -145 favorite.
UFC 200 Odds & Expert Pick for Cormier vs. Jones
Jones (22-1), a 28-year-old American, returned from a 15-month layoff at UFC 197 in April. He defeated Ovince Saint Preux via unanimous decision in an interim 205-pound title fight. Jones looked tentative in his comeback but was nevertheless dominant. All three judges scored it a sweep for Jones: 50-44, 50-45 and 50-45. Even Jones, who picked up his 13th consecutive win in the contest, said he was disappointed with how it went.
“I was watching, imagining, anticipating techniques — knowing when techniques would have landed, but just not going for it,” Jones said. “Physically, I felt amazing. Mentally, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m sucking. This isn’t good.'”
Originally, Jones was supposed to fight for the official title in a rematch against Cormier, but Cormier suffered a leg injury and was forced to pull out of the event on April 1. Saint Preux agreed to fill in on three weeks’ notice. It was Jones’ first appearance since January 2015, when he defeated Cormier by decision to record his eighth consecutive title defense. Three months later, Jones was arrested in Albuquerque on a felony hit-and-run charge and stripped of his UFC title.
Cormier (17-1) is a 37-year-old American. He last fought against Alexander Gustafsson in October at UFC 192 and won by split decision in his first title defense. Judges Kerry Hatley and Sal D’Amato scored the fight for Cormier, 49-46 and 48-47, respectively. Judge Derek Clearly saw it for Gustafsson, 48-47. It was easily the toughest win of Cormier’s professional career. He was knocked down by a Gustafsson knee and left hook in the third round and suffered a deep cut under his right eye. The pace alone was incredibly taxing. Cormier threw 364 total strikes and landed 219. Gustafsson landed 130 of an attempted 26.
In college, Cormier was one of the best wrestlers in the country, but he competed in the same weight class as the legendary Cael Sanderson — who went 159-0 at Iowa State with four championships — so he never won an NCAA title. In the Olympics, Cormier finished fourth in 2004.
Cormier says his legacy is on the line in this rematch with Jones. Cormier has solidified his spot as the best 205-pounder in Jones’ absence, but that absence has always loomed over his championship claims.
“I haven’t experienced that shining moment,” Cormier said. “When [UFC president] Dana White straps that title belt around your waist, that’s huge. But to be truly recognized as the best in the world at something? I can’t say that I’ve felt that because Jon beat me in our first fight. This is life or death for me and I’m OK with that.”
Expert Prediction
This will be the first time since 2013 that Jones fights more than once in a year, but he’s younger, has a much bigger reach — with an 84-inch reach, Jones can chew opponents up from the outside — and already took care of business once against Cormier. Lean Jones on betting lines and this will go to decision.
Lesnar vs Hunt UFC 200 Betting Lines and Prediction
Previous Betting News
One of the most famous and feared heavyweight champions in UFC history returns to the Octagon supposedly for just one fight as Brock Lesnar takes on Mark Hunt on Saturday in the star-studded UFC 200 card in Las Vegas. Hunt is a -170 favorite on betting odds with Lesnar at +140. The over/under total rounds are 1.5, with the under a -245 favorite.
Here’s Our Look at the UFC 200 Odds on Brock Lesnar vs. Mark Hunt
Lesnar’s return from wrestling to MMA was supposed to be a huge surprise in early June as the organization really wanted a lot of buzz with this being the 200th card in UFC history. But a UFC reporter was able to break the story before the UFC could release it. In March 2015, Lesnar said that he was “closing the door on MMA.” But money talks. This will be just a one-fight deal and in fact Lesnar would return to the WWE for that organization’s SummerSlam on Aug. 21.
Brock Lesnar (5-3), who is now 38, is a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion. He made a successful transition from professional wrestling to mixed martial arts in 2007. Lesnar won the heavyweight belt at UFC 91 against Randy Couture (Nov. 15, 2008), defended it twice, then lost it at UFC 121 against Cain Velasquez (Oct. 23, 2010). Lesnar is one of five heavyweights in UFC history to defend the heavyweight belt twice. No one has done it more than twice.
This will mark his first fight in the Octagon since December 2011. He was beaten at UFC 141 by Alistair Overeem then and then retired. Overeem stopped him with one vicious kick to the body at 2:26 of the first round in their heavyweight bout. It certainly didn’t help that Lesnar missed a lot of UFC time while dealing with bouts of a lower-intestinal ailment that nearly killed him. The accumulation of pain and rehabilitation finally undid Lesnar, whose famed strength and stubbornness couldn’t overcome diverticulitis.
Lesnar hasn’t yet closed the door on fighting another fight or going back to the UFC on a more regular basis after his WWE contract is up.
“I’m a grappler at heart. [Hunt] is a heavy hitter,” Lesnar said. “I think that’s what the people want to see. The UFC ultimately culminated because we’re going to put guys with opposing disciplines against each other. I think I match up very well. If Mark ends up on the ground, the fight’s over.”
Hunt (12-10-1) is a 42-year-old from New Zealand. He is coming off a first-round knockout over former heavyweight champion Frank Mir in March and is known as one of the UFC’s hardest hitters. A New Zealand native, Hunt has nine knockout wins in his MMA career and fought for the interim championship in November 2014.
Hunt has publicly questioned the UFC’s decision to waive its policy that fighters coming out of retirement need to give drug testers four months’ notice. Lesnar admitted he was surprised that UFC president Dana White was able to maneuver so quickly and book the fight for UFC 200, as Lesnar originally expected his return to happen in New York this November at UFC 202.
“I’ve been dealing with that my entire life,” Lesnar said when the topic of PEDs came up. “I’m a white boy and I’m jacked, deal with it.”
Expert Betting Prediction
Hunt is a power puncher who has knocked out some of the biggest names in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Lesnar’s time has passed. Hunt wins in Round 2 by KO on betting odds.
UFC 200 Betting Odds on Daniel Cormier vs Anderson Silva
Previous Betting News
Earlier this week here at Mybookie.ag, I previewed the headline bout of an epic UFC 200 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night, a light-heavyweight title unification fight between arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in MMA history, Jon Jones, and Daniel Cormier. I liked Jones to win the fight. However, in stunning news it was announced that Jones failed a drug test back in June and thus was pulled from the bout (why are we just hearing about this failed test now?). It was hugely embarrassing news for the UFC in the biggest event the organization has ever had. UFC President Dana White wanted to keep Cormier on the card and somehow White managed to find someone to step in on basically 48 hours’ notice: former middleweight champion Anderson Silva, who once was considered the baddest man on the planet. Cormier is a -410 favorite on betting lines for the now non-title bout with Silva at +315 and the over/under rounds at 2.5.
Here’s Our Look at the UFC 200 Betting Odds on Daniel Cormier vs. Anderson Silva
Jones says he didn’t take any performance-enhancing drugs and he has previously crusaded for stiffer testing in the UFC. But Jones also admitted he has been taking new supplements ahead of this fight and that he didn’t write down what they were. That’s frankly ridiculous and inexcusable. Any fighter is responsible for what goes into his body and to make sure it conforms to guidelines. Now Jones is facing a potential two-year automatic suspension.
The moment that Cormier was told the fight of his career was off actually was captured on video and you can see it here. Cormier was so frustrated that he offered to sign a release to fight Jones anyway just so he could be in the Octagon for the UFC’s signature event. The new main event of UFC 200 is a women’s bantamweight fight between champion Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes.
As for Silva (33-7-1), he once was great — at one time a 10-time defending middleweight champion who won a UFC record 16 straight fights at one point — but the 41-year-old Brazilian is way past his prime these days. He hasn’t won a fight since 2012. Silva did beat Nick Diaz at UFC 183 in January 2015, but that result was overturned when Silva failed multiple drug tests for steroids. Silva last was in the Octagon in February and lost by unanimous decision to Michael Bisping. Silva had to pull out of a fight against Uriah Hall this May to get gallbladder surgery. Over the past half-decade, Silva has struggled with numerous injuries and failed drug tests.
The fight with Cormier will be three rounds, White said, because Silva is fighting on two days’ notice. Silva was already going to be in Las Vegas to induct his mentor Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira into the UFC Hall of Fame on Sunday. Silva has fought three times at 205 pounds, defeating James Irvin in July 2008, Forrest Griffin in August 2009 and Stephan Bonnar in October 2012, all by first-round knockout. That Bonnar fight, for what it’s worth, was on short notice — although nothing like two days.
Silva, who called the UFC to ask for this fight once he heard the Jones news, said that he doesn’t believe Cormier is an easy opponent or that this stylistically favors him on such short notice. So it basically sounds as if he’s already conceding.
“I don’t want Daniel or anyone else to think I’m underestimating him or coming in here trying to challenge a champion. I’m not doing any of that,” Silva said. “I’m here to challenge myself and I think that I haven’t trained in a few months, but I think I’m in good condition to go in there and put on a good fight.”
Expert Betting Prediction
This will be over quickly. Cormier by submission in Round 1.
UFC 200 Betting Odds Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne
Previous Betting News
The most-hyped heavyweight fight on the terrific UFC 200 card this Saturday night in Las Vegas features Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt. But in all honesty, that’s not as important as a matchup between former champion Cain Velasquez and Travis Browne, as the winner might earn a title shot. Velasquez is a -305 favorite on the betting lines with Browne at +255 and the over/under rounds total at 1.5 (both at -110).
Quick Look at the UFC 200 Betting Odds Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne
Velasquez hasn’t competed since relinquishing the heavyweight crown to Fabricio Werdum at UFC 188 last June in what was considered an upset. Werdum submitted the two-time UFC heavyweight champion at 2:13 of the third round via guillotine choke at the Mexico City Arena. Velasquez, whose parents are Mexican, apologized for the performance. It was his first appearance since October 2013 due to a knee injury. The 602-day layoff was the longest of his career.
Statistically speaking, the fight wasn’t a terrible performance by Velasquez. He landed dozens of punches on a crafty, skilled veteran (88, according to FightMetric) and scored four takedowns over two-and-a-half rounds. Just as importantly, he wobbled Werdum on multiple occasions before succumbing.
The 33-year-old Velasquez (13-2) was slated for a rematch with Werdum earlier this year, but a back injury forced Velasquez to withdraw from the Feb. 6 event that was originally known as UFC 196. Velasquez later underwent surgery to remove bone spurs that were pinching his sciatic nerve. The injury marked the latest in a long line of physical setbacks for Velasquez, and as a result, the UFC elected instead to award Velasquez’s title shot to Stipe Miocic at UFC 198.
Browne (18-3-1) is also 33. He was last in the Octagon in January at UFC Fight Night 81 and beat Matt Mitrione by third-round TKO (punches). Mitrione’s right eye took a bad beating due to both legal and illegal blows from Browne. The fight was close until Browne illegally gouged Mitrione’s right eye twice. A late right cross to the same eye built on the damage, and was the beginning of the end for Mitrione. His eye was pretty mangled and Mitrione officially appealed the result (to no avail).
Mitrione suffered two separate eye pokes from Browne during the fight in the same right eye that looked like it might stop the fight when the doctor was forced to look at him on the second occasion. The referee opted not to take a point away from Browne for the infraction and Mitrione continued to blink his way through the fight. By the end, when the referee finally put a stop to the carnage, the former “Ultimate Fighter” had a hematoma that looked like a golf ball hiding behind his eye.
Of late, Browne has alternated wins and losses, sandwiching victories over Mitrione and Brendan Schaub between defeats at the hands of Andrei Arlovski and Werdum. He is currently the UFC’s No. 7 ranked heavyweight.
Expert Betting Prediction
Heavyweight fights rarely go the distance. This won’t, either. Take Velasquez in Round 1 on betting lines.
UFC 200 Lines & Free MMA Pick on Aldo vs. Edgar
Previous Betting News
It’s arguably the greatest UFC card in history at UFC 200 on Saturday night from Las Vegas, and the interim featherweight championship is on the line when Jose Aldo takes on Frankie Edgar in one of the co-main events. Aldo, the former champion, is a surprising even-money underdog on MMA odds with Edgar at -120. The over/under is 4.5 rounds on betting lines with the over a very slight favorite.
Taking a Closer Look at the UFC 200 Lines & Free MMA Pick on Aldo vs. Edgar
Why is this for the interim featherweight title? Because the true champion, Conor McGregor, has given up the belt because he wants to get vengeance on Nate Diaz for his first career loss. Those two were originally on this UFC 200 card but McGregor wouldn’t promote the fight as required by his contract so the UFC yanked the bout. McGregor will now face Diaz at UFC 202 in a non-title fight. Diaz beat McGregor by submission in the second round of a welterweight bout March 5 at UFC 196, ending one of the most lucrative pay-per-view shows in MMA history with a big upset.
McGregor is still technically the UFC’s featherweight champion, but since he’s not making his title defense, Aldo and Edgar will meet for the interim belt, with the winner presumably getting the first shot at a unification fight against McGregor later this year.
Aldo (25-2), is a 29-year-old from Brazil. “Scarface” was the longtime featherweight champion even going back to his days in the now-defunct WEC. But Aldo was destroyed by McGregor at UFC 194 in December 2015, falling by a knockout (punches) just 13 seconds in. That’s the shortest title fight in UFC history. It only took McGregor one punch. McGregor sidestepped a charging Aldo and landed a huge left hand to the jaw, which stopped Aldo cold. McGregor landed a couple brutal hammer fists to the downed Aldo before referee John McCarthy called off the fight.
Aldo, who had been champion since winning what was then the WEC title from Mike Brown in November 2009, had an 18-fight win streak snapped. It was his first loss since November 2005.
Edgar (20-4-1) is a 34-year-old from the United States. “The Answer” is a former lightweight champion who moved down to featherweight in February 2013. And he lost to Aldo by unanimous decision at UFC 156. Judges Adalaide Byrd, Jeff Collins and Junichiro Kamijo scored the bout 49-46, 48-47 and 49-46 in Aldo’s favor, and Aldo scoffs at Edgar for thinking should have taken the victory.
“Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? No way,” he said. “I haven’t watched it anymore because I know I easily won that. I won that only with my left arm. I don’t know where he saw that. You can say he won the fifth round and that’s it, but I won the other four. I won, no doubt.”
Edgar has won five straight fights since. He was last in the Octagon at the Ultimate Fighter 22 finale in December 2015, beating Chad Mendes by first-round knockout (punches). Edgar followed a powerful right hand with a left to leave Mendes on canvas and the referee jumped in to halt the fight with Mendes lying prone.
Edgar says he’s a much different fighter from his first showdown with Aldo and that Aldo’s lopsided loss will mess with his mind: “It has to mess with you. Close losses mess with you, never mind getting knocked out with one punch. Especially to a guy like Conor, who is going to relish in it the way he does and talk about it the way he does, no one’s better than him with that. I don’t want to say it was embarrassing because it can happen to anybody, but for Aldo, I think it was a little embarrassing. To be on top for so long and then have it happen like that to that guy. That’s definitely got to mess with him. I do think if I hit him with some good stuff early on, he’s going to really be questioning himself.”
Expert Betting Prediction
I’m a bit surprised Aldo is an underdog on betting lines considering how good he was for years before the McGregor surprise. I like Aldo here by decision.
UFC 200 Odds & Preview on Tate vs. Nunes
Previous Betting News
The MMA world was hoping that one-time women’s pound-for-pound champion Ronda Rousey was going to make her return to the Octagon on Saturday for the first time since a shocking loss to Holly Holm last November in Australia. However, Rousey’s still not physically or mentally ready and might not fight at all in 2016. So instead the top women’s bout at the star-studded UFC 200 card in Las Vegas on Saturday night features new women’s bantamweight champions Miesha Tate making her first title defense against Amanda Nunes. Tate is -255 on Mybookie.ag betting lines with Nunes at +205 and the over/under at just 1.5 rounds, with the over a -235 favorite.
Taking a Look at the UFC 200 Odds & Preview on Tate vs. Nunes
Tate (18-5) won the title in an upset submission win against Holm at UFC 196. Holm was winning the fight until the fifth round, when Tate took her back and secured a rear-naked choke with 90 seconds remaining. It was Holm’s first defense of her belt since defeating Rousey at UFC 193. In Round 5, Tate gambled and ducked under a straight right from Holm and took her back with two minutes remaining. From that position, Tate managed to once again sink in a rear naked choke and this time, Holm couldn’t escape. She refused to tap out and was briefly unconscious as the referee called the fight.
“She got a lot of heart … she gave me everything she had,” Tate said to UFC president Dana White after being named the victor. “We had a great gameplan, I knew I had to be patient … and find the perfect moment.”
In her second UFC title shot Tate seemed headed to losing a decision to Holm, appearing beat in three of the first four rounds because of the striking and kicking prowess that won Holm the Rousey bout. Holm wanted an immediate rematch but the UFC opted to go in another direction. Tate, meanwhile, can crow all she wants about beating Holm, but she was dominated in two losses to Rousey.
Nunes (12-4), on a three-fight winning streak, is 5-1 overall in the UFC with four finishes. She fought on that Rousey-Holm card and beat Valentina Shevchenko by unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-27, 29-27. Nunes was in some trouble in the third, absorbing a knee to the head and some punishment on the ground. Her only loss came to former title challenger Cat Zingano in September 2014. That bout against Zingano was one she was winning until the second round. The book on Nunes, 28, is that she’s a strong starter, but fades after the first few minutes.
This week, Tate didn’t sound too concerned with her opponent: “She’s never faced anyone like me. I also think her mentality, her mental, that’s a big weakness, honestly. … I think she thinks she likes to get it, but I don’t think she does. I think she likes to be delivering. And if she’s winning, it’s great. But when she’s not, when she’s put in that spot of adversity, she tends to break.”
Tate says she is laser-focused on Nunes, however, because she so badly wants another shot at Rousey, even though it may not happen until early 2017. Most likely, a Holm-Tate rematch would first be in the cards.
Expert Betting Prediction
I doubt this lasts more than one round so go under that total on betting lines. Tate wins.
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