Okay MYBookie MMA betting buffs, with UFC 236 going down this coming weekend, not only are you going to be treated to what looks like an absolutely thrilling slate of fights, but you’re going to have a pair of great chances to cash in on the top two fights at UFC 236 because of the expert betting analysis and predictions that you’re about to get.
UFC 236 is headlined by the interim lightweight title rematch bout between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier. Middleweights Kelvin Gastelum and the blossoming Israel Adesanya will meet in the co-headline interim middleweight title fight. Prelims get underway at 8:00 PM ET in Atlanta, with the main card getting underway two hours later.
UFC Fight Night 236 Odds, Predictions & Picks
Okay, let’s get down to business.“Against all odds. Champion of the world. No doubt.”
What drives @DustinPoirier‘s #FightingSpirit? #UFC236 @ModeloUSA pic.twitter.com/FUIG1VJ2w1 — UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2019
- When: Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Interim Lightweight Odds:
- Dustin Poirier +160
- Max Holloway -200
Dustin Poirier (24-5)
The 30-year-old Poirier stands 5’9” with a 72-inch reach. The Louisiana native has won a dozen fights via KO, seven by way of submission and five via decision. Poirier has also suffered two KO losses, one via submission and two by way of decision. Poirier has won three straight and comes into this rematch bout off a thrilling Performance of the Night second round TKO (punches) win over Eddie Alvarez, although that bout took place almost a year ago in July. Prior to that, Poirier took out Justin Gaethje via fourth round TKO (punches) and Anthony Pettis via third round submission (body triangle). Poirier also beat Holloway in February of 2012 via first round submission (mounted triangle armbar) in in his 11th career fight and Holloway’s UFC debut.
“I just think that a few years ago, if I would have gotten this opportunity, I wouldn’t have been ready,” Poirier said. “I’ve overcome a few things and matured as a person and a father and a husband and just, you fight how you live, and I feel like I’m in a good spot right now in my life and with who I am, who I see in the mirror. I’m just in a really good place to go in there and put it all on the line.”
Max Holloway (20-3)
The 27-year-old Holloway stands 5’11” with a 69-inch reach. The reigning featherweight champion who hails from Hawaii, has won a stupendous 13 straight fights since losing to Conor McGregor back in 2013 via unanimous decision. Holloway has recorded 10 KO wins in his career, two via submission and eight by way of decision while suffering one submission loss and two decision losses. More importantly, he’s beaten some of the best fighters in the world along the way, Holloway comes into this fight off a fourth round TKO (doctor stoppage) win over Brian Ortega in December. Despite suffering a loss to Poirier in his UFC debut, Holloway is unperturbed and say that the fighter he is today doesn’t compare to the one that lost to Poirier years ago.
“The best way to describe it is, like, me right now, I would kill that guy,” Holloway said recently. “I would literally put him in a cemetery.
There is a cemetery down the road from my house. I’d probably go visit him every day.”
Prediction
I know Dustin Poirier is a really talented fighter that has beaten his share of quality opponents, but for me, Max Holloway is likely going to go down as an all-time great and that’s why I like him to win this rematch bout. First and foremost, Holloway has a ton riding on the outcome of this bout as a win would both, help him become just the third fighter in UFC history to hold titles in multiple weight classes, while setting up a superfight against Lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov. I’m going with Max Holloway to get it done via fourth round TKO.
Pick: Max Holloway via fourth round TKO.
Interim Middleweight Odds
- Kelvin Gastelum +145
- Israel Adesanya -175
Kelvin Gastelum (15-3-1 NC)
27-year-old Kelvin Gastelum stands 5’9” with a 71.5-inch reach. The native Californian has recorded six wins via KO, four via submission and five by way of decision. Gastelum has also suffered one submission loss and two decision losses in his career and comes into this fight having won two straight, including a split decision win over Ronaldo Souza at UFC 224 in May.
Israel Adesanya (16-0)
29-year-old Israel Adesanya stands 6’4” with a 80-inch reach. The New Zealand native and former kickboxing champion has recorded 13 wins via KO and three by way of decision while yet to suffer a loss as an MMA fighter. In five UFC performances, Adesanya has recorded three KOs and comes into this bout off a unanimous decision win over the legendary, but aging Anderson Silva at UFC 234 in February.
Prediction
I have no idea why Israel Adesanya isn’t a bigger favorite in this affair, but I’m going to say he’s a near-certain lock to dispatch Kelvin Gastelum. Not only has Gastelum has lost three times over his last seven fights, but there are few fighters on the face of the planet as athletic and versatile as Israel Adesanya, who reminds me of a young Anderson Silva in many ways. I’m going with the quickly rising star to get the win in stunning KO fashion to move another step closer to a title shot. I’m certain that UFC president Dana White is banking on Adesanya to become a future star in the organization and that’s exactly what I’m expecting as well. Israel Adesanya has punching power in both hands, some amazing kicks from his days as a kick-boxer and a level of athleticism that Kelvin Gastelum just hasn’t seen yet.
Pick: Israel Adesanya Via Third round KO
