UFC 197 Picks, McGregor Vs. Dos Anjos and Holm Vs. Tate Betting Predictions

Posted by Joe Solari on Wednesday,February 3, 2016 5:45, EDT in

UFC 197 is fast-approaching in the horizon, and while the clash between Holly Holm and Miesha Tate is witnessing increasing action in the MMA odds, it is the bout between Rafael dos Anjos and and Conor McGregor that is garnering most attention and interest. These two Super Fights have been officially slated to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on March 5th. As we continue to prepare for this mega event, let’s take a quick look at these fights and highlight what you can expect from them, including our free MMA betting picks for the two clashes.

How to Bet on MCGREGOR vs. DOS ANJOS Betting Odds


After dominating Chad Mendes earlier last year and then going on to beat featherweight champion Jose Aldo in December at UFC 194, McGregor will be attempt to become the first ever UFC fighter to hold two titles at once as he goes for lightweight gold. If he does succeed in winning this fight, it will no doubt cement McGregor’s name among the All-time greats in the UFC, if he isn’t one of them already.

Meanwhile, for dos Anjos, this fight will present him with a chance for a second title defense after he won the lightweight belt last March and then destroyed Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in December with an emphatic first-round knockout just 66 seconds into the opening round.

As always, changing weight class can always be tricky for fighters, and McGregor will be finding out about that the easy or hard way sooner rather than later. Even so, the outspoken larger-than-life fighter will have sufficient tools to survive the test. For starters, McGregor will be riding high on confidence after stopping Aldo, the sport’s best pound-for-pound fighter. Physically, McGregor will have some slight speed advantage, which should allow him to record some quick strikes both aerially and on the ground. His size and length will also cause trouble to his opponent.

But even with that skill-set, McGregor is guaranteed to have a hellish time against RDA, a beast that has can beat you up well on the ground, just in the same way he can scorch you with scathing attacks when on your feet. His last four fights are a sure proof of the danger he brings, having torn apart and dominated his lightweight opponents in meticulous fashion. In terms of his strengths, Dos Anjos boasts of devastating power striking, both outside and inside, along with good wrestling and excellent Brazilian jiu-jitsu—making him an all-rounded weapon. Added to the fact that Dos Anjos is slightly thicker, he should be able to absorb some punches rather easily, allowing him to go the distance in the fight, if need be.

Verdict and Prediction: While McGregor’s nice timing, long reach, great conditioning and striking power will be tough for his opponent to handle, along with his oft-annoying exuberance; Dos Anjos is a bigger man with a wider variety of weapons to use against Connor. With that, my early MMA pick is that Dos Anjos will emerge victorious. My Early Prediction: Dos Anjos wins by second round TKO.

 

How to Bet on HOLM vs. TATE Betting Lines


Following her earth-shaking victory over the then-unbeaten Ronda Rousey last November at UFC 193, women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm will be hoping to make her first title defense in a winning fashion. That is, however, easier said than done, as Holm will be going against an in-form Miesha Tate, who enters this fight riding a four-fight winning streak, including the win over Jessica Eye in her last fight in July 2015.

Tate doesn’t have the power and size of Holm (or Rousey), but she is very technically sound, particularly in coordinating her attacks in the stand-up striking department. In addition, Tate is also quite good with her take-down efficiency, along with an excellent ability to work high in the clinch or alternatively shift low for double-leg and single-legs. Added to the fact that Tate will come into this fight well-conditioned, there’s no doubt that she will be able to keep things close, if not deliver an unlikely upset. After all, nearly all of Holm’s fights have seen close results.

For Holm, her bulrush routine—which she often combines with a great sense of distance and strong counter-attacking skills—makes her arguably the toughest fighter to plan against in the division. Not to mention, she has very solid stand-up striking, something that we saw in her fight over Rousey. Then, of course, there is the fact that she is this big mammoth of a lady, so taking her down is never easy. Add her ability to absorb some punches without taking much damage, Tate will have to be on her blitzing-best if she is to upset the highly-confident champ.

Verdict and Prediction: Tate does her thing and makes this fight as competitive as possible, but Holm lands more strikes to walk away with a decision victory. My Early Prediction: Holm wins by Unanimous Decision.