UFC on ESPN+ 20 takes place Saturday, October 26 at Singapore Indoor Arena in Kallang, Singapore. The offshore sportsbooks recently opened up the betting odds for the full card, and here they are.
UFC on ESPN+ 20 Opening Odds
Ben Askren -165
Demian Maia +125
Michael Johnson -245
Stevie Ray +175
Beneil Dariush -195
Frank Camacho +155
Ciryl Gane -350
Don’Tale Mayes +250
Muslim Salikhov -230
Laureano Staropoli +170
Randa Markos -215
Ashley Yoder +165
Rafael Fiziev -185
Alex White +145
Movsar Evloev -190
Enrique Barzola +150
Sergei Pavlovich -245
Maurice Greene +175
Alexandra Albu -150
Loma Lookboonmee +110
Jeff Hughes -165
Raphael Pessoa +125
And here are my initial thoughts on the UFC on ESPN+ 20 Opening Odds:
- The main event between Askren and Maia is a polarizing matchup amongst fight fans. Hardcore fans who appreciate high-level grappling are excited for what should be a very tactical chess match between two elite grapplers, while casual fans who prefer standing and trading expect it to be boring. Personally, I’m looking very much to see how this one plays out. Askren has used his wrestling throughout his career to beat everyone but Jorge Masvidal, while the majority of Maia’s wins have come when he takes his opponents down and drowns them on the mat. So styistically it’s a very intriguing fight. Askren is a lot younger so you have to lean towards him a bit, but the style matchup is such that Maia will have ample opportunity to go for submissions.
- The co-main event between Johnson and Ray is a pretty weak co-headliner. Johnson has lost four of his last six fights, while Ray has lost three of his last four. Stylistically both men will look to stand and trade so it could be entertaining, but it’s hardly a co-main event in 2019. I lean towards Johnson, who should fare better now that he’s back at 155lbs.
- I like this heavyweight fight between Gane and Mayes. Gane looked fantastic in his UFC debut when he took out Raphael Pessoa in the first round, while Mayes is finally in the UFC after a big win on the Contender Series. Gane deserves to be the favorite here based on all the hype, but Mayes is a big boy and we all know heavyweight fights are a coin flip.
- One of the best fights on the card is a lightweight matchup between Camacho and Dariush. Camacho is only 2-3 in the UFC, but all of his fights have been super exciting and he’s coming off of an amazing TKO win over Nick Hein. It looks like the move to lightweight was a smart one. As for Dariush, he’s won two straight fights are a three-win winless streak. His ground game is amazing but his chin is very questionable. I actually favor the big hitter Camacho here as the dog.
- Another dog who I have my eye on is Greene. Although Pavlovich is a big man with lots of knockout power, so is Greene. The opening odds on this one look a bit too wide considering how good Greene has looked so far in the UFC. Like many heavyweight fights between two fighters with knockout power, this looks like a dog-or-pass situation.
