Okay MMA betting faithful, you’re going to be treated to what looks like one helluva’ headline bout when flyweight champion Henry Cejudo defends his title against reigning bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw in the headline bout on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 143 card.
With two elite fighters going at it and Cejudo the underdog in this one despite fighting in hos own weight class, let’s find out whether the reigning flyweight champ can take care of business or whether the favored T.J. Dillashaw is the better pick in this intriguing affair. UFC Fight Night 143 will go down live Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, January 19.
T.J. Dillashaw (16-3) vs. Henry Cejudo (13-2)
- When: Saturday January 19, 2019, 11:30 PM ET
- Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
- TV: ESPN+
- Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass
- UFC Fight Night 143 Odds: Henry Cejudo +170 / T.J. Dillashaw -200
Main Card (ESPN+)
- Henry Cejudo vs T.J. Dillashaw (flyweight title)
- Greg Hardy vs Allen Crowder (heavyweight)
- Gregor Gillespie vs Yancy Medeiros (lightweight)
- Joseph Benavidez vs Dustin Ortiz (flyweight)
- Paige VanZant vs Rachael Ostovich (women’s flyweight)
- Glover Teixeira vs Karl Roberson (light heavyweight)
Preliminary Card (ESPN)
- Donald Cerrone vs Alexander Hernandez (lightweight)
- Joanne Calderwood vs Ariane Lipski (women’s flyweight)
- Alonzo Menifield vs Vinicius Moreira (light heavyweight)
- Mario Bautista vs Cory Sandhagen (bantamweight)
Early Preliminary Card (ESPN+)
- Dennis Bermudez vs Te Edwards (lightweight)
- Belal Muhammad vs Geoff Neal (welterweight)
- Chance Rencountre vs Kyle Stewart (welterweight)
Why Bet On T.J. Dillashaw at -200?
Why should you consider betting on T.J. Dillashaw in this championship showdown? There are several great reasons. First, the 32-year-old Denver native is the bigger fighter and has the longer reach. Dillashaw stands 5’6½” with a 67-inch reach. he’s also the more versatile fighter in this contest and the better stand-up striker.
Dillashaw has recorded eight wins via KO, three via submission and five by way of decision. Dillashaw is also on a nice roll, having won four consecutive fights including his ‘Performance of the Night’ first round TKO (knee and punches) demolition of Cody Garbrandt in their championship rematch at UFC 227.
Why Bet On Henry Cejudo at +170?
Why should you consider betting on Henry Cejudo in this bout? Well, first and foremost, he’s got a ton of motivation. Cejudo’s belt is on the line, he’s an underdog and the smaller fighter in this affair. Cejudo is also the slightly younger fighter in this affair at 31-years-old, though he stands, just 5’4” with a 64-inch reach.
Another good reason to back Henry Cejudo is because he’s on a nice roll, having won three straight fights, not to mention he just beat an elite superstar by taking out Demetrious Johnson in the ‘Fight of the Night’ at UFC 227 in August. Last but not least, Cejudo is the better wrestler and would like nothing better than to get this one on the ground early and often.
Expert Analysis and Prediction for UFC Fight Night 143
While Henry Cejudo picked up a huge, career-altering win over longtime flyweight champion Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson in his last bout to extract some revenge for his 2016 loss to Johnson, I like the bigger, stronger and far more explosive T.J. Dillashaw in this matchup.
While Cejudo is undoubtedly the better fighter on the ground, T.J. Dillashaw possesses some serious striking ability with his fists, legs and his dangerous knees. I’m expecting Dillashaw to keep this bout upright for the most part where he will eventually catch Cejudo with a vicious shot – and some knees – that end this one via TKO.
UFC Fight Night 143 Pick: T.J. Dillashaw Via First Round TKO (knees and punches)
