Brian Ortega By Decision (+475)
Ortega shocked the MMA community with his thrilling decision win over Chan Sung Jung. His hands and technique all look much improved – a new Brian Ortega has emerged. If he is to dethrone Alex Volkanovski this weekend he will need a little of the same once again. Using his length and punches to get the better of Volkanovski throughout the fight. I think Ortega is also the more versatile fighter and can do more to throw off Volkanovski and win rounds but, he also has the threat of submissions in his back pocket too. I think if a finish is to happen in this fight it will be due to a Ortega submission (which is still a good number at +525 with some books) since his submissions are so lethal and fighters have a very difficult time successfully defending them. I can not see a finish for Volkanovski here as he just is not that finishing type of fighter and also because Brian Ortega is an incredibly durable fighter (see his war with Holloway for a reminder). So a back and forth fight between Volkanovski and Ortega that hits the scorecards in what should be a close fight I have to take the big number on a decision prop. Ortega has greatly improved on the feet so that he does not have to strictly rely on a submission to get his hand raised.
Valentina Shevchenko Wins By TKO (+125)
Shevchenko can do whatever she wants and probably just takes down Lauren Murphy and beats her up from the crucifix position. Need I say more? There is not much value anywhere else but Shevchenko should easily win by a TKO finish here.
Thanks for reading and best of luck!
