Israel Adesanya, one of the top pound for pound mixed martial artists on the planet, puts his UFC Middleweight Championship strap on the line on Saturday when Adesanya takes on Sean Strickland.
Israel is an over -700 favorite to retain his title. Before Adesanya and Strickland throw down, Tai Tuivasa battles Alexander Volkov in what should be a terrific warm up bout.
Check out UFC betting lines for those two fights and the other three bouts on the UFC 293 main card.
UFC 293 Adesanya vs Strickland Betting Analysis for the Main Card Bouts | MyBookie MMA Betting Preview
UFC 293 Adesanya vs Strickland
Saturday, September 9 at 10:00 pm ET | ESPN+
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
Tyson Pedro vs Anton Turkalj
UFC Odds: Tyson Pedro -113; Anton Turkalj -112
Light Heavyweight Bout
Pedro records: 9-4 | 4 KOs
Turkalj records: 8-2 | 5 KOs
8-2 Anton Turkalj is an inch taller, which might explain why he’s the favorite over Pedro because Turkalj doesn’t head into this in great form. Anton has lost his last couple of bouts, via submission to Jailton Almeida and via unanimous decision to Vitor Petrino.
Tyson Pedro also lost his last bout, falling to Modestas Bukauskas via unanimous decision at UFC 284. But before losing to Bukauskas, Pedro had beaten Ike Villanueva and Harry Hunsucker via TKO / KO.
Overall, Pedro is 4-1 via knockout and 5-1 via submission victories. Tyson gets the nod.
UFC 293 Light Heavyweight Pick: Tyson Pedro | Bet Tyson Pedro vs Anton Turkalj Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Bout
Justin Tafa vs Austen Lane
UFC Odds: Justin Tafa -227; Austen Lane +174
Heavyweight Bout
Tafa records: 10-3 | 6 KOs
Lane records: 6-3 | 6 KOs
Austen Lane brings an excellent record into this bout. Lane is 12-3 and hasn’t lost since 2020. Not only does the dog in this have a great record, but he’s 11-3 via technical KO or straight up KO, which means if Tafa gets into a stand up brawl with Austen, Lane can hold is own.
But although Lane has impressed, this is just his second UFC bout and his first, also against Tafa, ended in a no contest. The -227 chalk in this is a UFC vet who has 2 wins and the no contest draw in his last 3. Tafa is the pick.
UFC 293 Heavyweight Pick: Justin Tafa | Bet Justin Tafa vs Austen Lane Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Bout
Manel Kape vs Felipe dos Santos
UFC Odds: Manel Kape -434; Felipe dos Santos +303
Flyweight Bout
Kape records: 18-6 | 11 KOs
dos Santos records: 7-0 | 2 KOs
At first glance, it looks like Felipe dos Santos has a big chance to pull off the upset victory. Santos has a great 7-0 record. Also, Felipe is 2 inches taller and has a 2 inches reach advantage over favored Manel Kape.
But like Lane against Tafa, dos Santos doesn’t have much UFC experience while Manel Kape is a UFC veteran. This will be dos Santos’ first UFC bout.
The underdog hasn’t come close to fighting anybody on Kape’s level. The chalk is on a 3-match winning streak and has an 18-6 overall record. Manel takes this.
UFC 293 Flyweight Pick: Manel Kape | Bet Manel Kape vs Felipe dos Santos Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Bout
Tai Tuivasa vs Alexander Volkov
UFC Odds: Tai Tuivasa +185; Alexander Volkov -243
Heavyweight Bout
Tuivasa records: 14-5 | 13 KOs
Volkov records: 36-10 | 24 KOs
It would be nice to take the sweet odds on Tuivasa to upset Volkov. But Tai isn’t in good form. The underdog in this has lost 2 straight. Both losses came via knockout.
Also, Volkov has a 5-inch height advantage and a 5-inch reach advantage. Alexander isn’t in great form either. But the physical advantages will carry him to victory.
UFC 293 Heavyweight Pick: Alexander Volkov | Bet Tai Tuivasa vs Alexander Volkov Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Bout
Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland
UFC Odds: Israel Adesanya -714; Sean Strickland +439
UFC Middleweight Title
Adesanya records: 24-2 | 16 KOs
Strickland records: 27-5 | 11 KOs
Strickland is a great mixed martial artist. Sean is at a major disadvantage in this, though. Strickland is shorter by 3 inches, has a shorter reach, and doesn’t have the overall skill set that the champ possesses.
Israel Adesanya has lost twice in his career. The first loss, against Jan Blachowicz in 2021, came after Adesanya went up in weight. Israel exacted revenge over the second loss, beating Alex Pereira in his last to win back the belt.
Strickland will fight hard for a while, but he’s just not as talented as Adesanya. The champ keeps his belt.
UFC 293 Middleweight Title Pick: Israel Adesanya | Bet Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Bout
UFC 293 Fight Card Schedule | MMA
| Main Card (ESPN+) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Middleweight | Israel Adesanya (c) | vs. | Sean Strickland |
| Heavyweight | Tai Tuivasa | vs. | Alexander Volkov |
| Flyweight | Manel Kape | vs. | Felipe dos Santos |
| Heavyweight | Justin Tafa | vs. | Austen Lane |
| Light Heavyweight | Tyson Pedro | vs. | Anton Turkalj |
| Preliminary card (ESPN / ESPN+) | |||
| Light Heavyweight | Carlos Ulberg | vs. | Jung Da-un |
| Featherweight | Jack Jenkins | vs. | Chepe Mariscal |
| Lightweight | Jamie Mullarkey | vs. | John Makdessi |
| Lightweight | Nasrat Haqparast | vs. | Landon Quiñones |
| Early preliminary card (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass) | |||
| Welterweight | Mike Mathetha | vs. | Charlie Radtke |
| Catchweight (149.75 lb) | Shane Young | vs. | Gabriel Miranda |
| Welterweight | Kevin Jousset | vs. | Kiefer Crosbie |
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