Ultimate Fighting Championship has announced three huge title bouts for UFC 245, which takes place December 14 in Las Vegas Nevada. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas has opened betting odds for all three championship contests in the welterweight, featherweight and women’s bantamweight divisions.
The first title fight is a welterweight contest featuring champion Kamaru Usman and former interim champ Colby Covington. Usman opened at -300 with the comeback on Covington +230. The current odds are Usman at -165 with Covington +145. Here’s Nick’s rationale behind his odds:
“This is a much more accurate line than the opening odds. The +230 value that was available on Covington early on didn’t last long and that’s not surprising, despite Usman surprisingly making it look easy against Tyron Woodley when he won the title. Many early bettors understand that this match-up won’t be an easy one for Usman. Stylistically, Covington can make this a very difficult fight for Usman and has shown a ton of improvement in his recent fights. He deserves to get respect from bettors when there’s a plus money tag next to his name at this point. I personally wouldn’t lay the chalk on this fight.”
The second title fight is a featherweight contest featuring champion Max Holloway and top challenger Alexander Volkanovski. Holloway opened -200 with Volkanovski +150. Nick’s current line is -170 Holloway and +150 Volkanovski. Here’s Nick’s rationale behind his odds:
“Everyone expects Holloway to handle Volkanovski on the feet, but Volkanovski presents a lot of problems for Holloway in this fight due to his pressure, pace and takedowns. Volkanovski has looked good in all his fights despite having a reach disadvantage. I’m surprised the early action came in on Volkanovski in this fight because of Holloway’s track record at 145 pounds. From what we’ve seen conditioning-wise, Holloway’s been able to outlast fighters, but Volkanovski looks like he can go five rounds strong and he has some excellent durability. You can’t deny Volkanovki’s rise and he’s a legit threat, but the real question is whether Volkanovski is ready to step up and dethrone one of the all-time featherweight greats.”
The third title fight is a women’s bantamweight contest featuring champion Amanda Nunes and former featherweight champ Germaine De Randamie. Nunes opened -303 with the comeback on Randamie +225. Currently, Nick has it lined -300 for Nunes and +240 for Randamie. Here’s Nick’s rationale behind his odds:
“I think the opening line that hit the market was fair and justified at 3-1 for Nunes. I’ve always had a ton of respect for de Randamie. Back in 2013 when these two fought each other the first time, I actually bet de Randamie to defeat Nunes, thinking she’d keep the fight standing and I knew at the time she was the better striker. Unfortunately for me, Nunes came in with a smart gameplan, looking immediately to take the fight to the floor and was persistent in doing so until she got it down and finished the fight. Now, years later, I’m still a fan of de Randamie and think she’s underrated as one of the best female strikers of all time, but this is 2019 and despite de Randamie’s strong recent performances, I see some decline in her game and she’s facing an Amanda Nunes who has done nothing but improve drastically since their last fight. Nunes’ confidence and power in her striking will be too much for de Randamie to handle. At this point in their careers, Nunes will have a similar result if the fight goes to the ground, but now she’ll be able to finish it if the bout stays standing too.”
Kalikas released his betting lines for all three championship bouts moments ago via Several Bookmakers
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UFC 245: Usman vs. Covington
DECEMBER 14, 2019
T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada
Welterweight Title
Colby Covington +145
Kamaru Usman -165
Women’s Bantamweight Title
Germaine de Randamie +240
Amanda Nunes -300
Featherweight Title
Alexander Volkanovski +150
Max Holloway -170
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