After Bellator goes off the air, MMA fans can flip over to AXS TV for Legacy FC 30. The card is headlined by a woman who has been in the news lately for her desire to come to the UFC and fight Ronda Rousey. Holly Holm is one of the best strikers in women’s MMA today, and has mowed down any and all competition put before her thus far. Holm has also closed as a greater than -2000 favorite (bet $2000 to win $100) in her last two matches, and will be a massive favorite once again here against Juliana Werner. Highly experienced featherweights Donald Sanchez and Flavio Alvaro look to position themselves in the organization’s 145lb division with a victory, and with the two fighters having a combined 97 professional MMA fights, we could be in store for plenty of tricks in this one. The lighter divisions continue to be represented on the main card, as 125 prospects Ray Borg and Nick Urso look to take one step towards the Legacy flyweight title and a shot in the UFC. Bantamweights Henry Briones and Adrian Cruz will also do their part to keep the crowd entertained as part of the six-fight main card. Today, MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for Legacy FC 30 at Several Bookmakers. Take a look: ——————– MAIN CARD (AXS TV, 10pm ET) Holly Holm -2000 Juliana Werner +1000 Flavio Alvaro -265 Donald Sanchez +185 Nick Urso -135 Ray Borg -105 Adrian Cruz -180 Henry Briones +140 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: Holly Holm is one of Legacy’s most marketable fighters, one of the few women who combines technique with power in her striking, and getting her beat is one of the last things the organization wants. Cue Juliana Werner, a fighter whose biggest strength is her striking as well, but it is not anywhere near Holm’s level. This is a safe fight for Holm, but I have no interest in betting this line. The last time I remember thinking about Flavio Alvaro before his name popping up on this card was when Rio Heroes was a thing (look it up). He’s now 36 years old, but possesses a well-rounded game and obviously a great deal of experience. His opponent Donald Sanchez almost has as much experience, but his had a similar sort of career arc as Pat Healy, being just over .500 during the first several years of his career before finding the right formula and going on a run that has seen him rack up a 14-3 record since August 2009. Sanchez seems to be making the right improvements in his game, and I think he’ll be more able to expose Alvaro’s defensive striking deficiencies more than Alvaro can take advantage of his defensive grappling. Aside from being an automatic fade because he was on Sherdog’s “Prospect Watch,” Ray Borg is also facing the biggest test of his career in Nick Urso. Borg has faced better competition than most at this point in his career, but going up against a fighter in Urso who is a southpaw with solid striking and a good wrestling base will be too much for Borg — who overextends himself at times in his matches. Apparently Adrian Cruz has fought three times for Bellator already, but I couldn’t recall any of the performances despite him going 2-1. He’s faced and beaten better competition than Henry Briones in his short career, and will also have the hometown advantage in this fight, but this isn’t one I have a good read on at all.
