The co-main event of UFC 175 is a five-round title fight between UFC women’s bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey an Alexis “Ally-Gator” Davis. The current betting line for the fight at Several Bookmakers lists Rousey as a -1300 favorite (bet $1300 to win $100) while Davis is a +800 underdog (bet $100 to win $800). MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas originally opened up Rousey at -735 and Davis at +445, and so far the action has been all of the favorite Rousey. I am picking Rousey to win this fight and I’m not surprised at the public support for her. Here’s why. Rousey (9-0) is the reigning and defending women’s bantamweight champion. Only 27 years of age, Rousey is already a superstar in the world of mixed martial arts and deserves all the praise she gets. Just 27 years of age, she is a perfect 9-0 in MMA while facing some of the best female fighters in the world, and she’s finished all nine of her fights so far, including wins over Miesha Tate (x2), Sara McMann, Liz Carmouche, Sarah Kaufman, Julia Budd, and Sarah D’Alelio. Eight of her wins have come by her signature move, the armbar, while her last victory over McMann came as a result of her first ever career TKO, a vicious knee to the liver that knocked the wind out of McMann. With an impressive judo throw that allows her to get her opponents to the mat, Rousey is an near-unstoppable force in MMA and it’s hard to imagine her losing at this point. The UFC has given her a matchup this weekend against Davis that stylistically favors the champion, and as long as she continues to do what she has been doing so far she should win the fight, which is why she enters the bout as a massive favorite. Davis (16-5) is one of the top contenders in the UFC women’s bantamweight division. Just 29 years of age herself, Davis has a wealth of experience fighting some of the top women fighters in the world, and is so far 3-0 in the UFC with wins over Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, and Rosi Sexton. Overall she is on a five-fight win streak and has won eight of her last nine wins to earn this title fight, and it’s the opportunity of a lifetime for the Canadian mixed martial artist. She has a wickedly good ground game, excellent muay Thai, and a terrific chin, and she’s used those attributes well in her recent win streak. Her toughness is arguably her strongest trait, and if she can wear Rousey out and take her into the deep waters, who knows, she could have the advantage late. However, while Davis is a solid offensive fighter and is tough as nails, she gets hit a lot during her matches and she also can be put in bad positions on the ground. She’s a solid fighter and nearly elite, but going up against Rousey she will have her hands full and it’s not shocking she is a huge underdog going into this weekend’s card. I believe Rousey will be able to use her judo to get this fight to the floor, get on top of Davis, and while her opponent may defend her first few submission attempts I believe Rousey will eventually be able to secure one of her patented subs for the victory. At -1300 I think the line on Rousey is too high and I don’t see value so I recommend a pass. That being said, I don’t think Davis wins so even though she’s a huge underdog I will be passing on her. If anything, I kind of favor the OVER 2.5 rounds prop, which is currently at +210. Although I do think Rousey wins the fight by stoppage, I think Davis is tough enough to last over 12-and-a-half minutes and think there could be some value on that prop.
