PFL 2019 Championship takes place Tuesday, December 31 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The offshore sportsbooks recently opened up the betting odds for the full card, and here they are.
PFL 2019 Championship Opening Odds
Kayla Harrison -625
Larissa Pacheco +450
Ali Isaev -350
Jared Rosholt +275
Natan Schulte -280
Loik Radzhabov +240
Lance Palmer -350
Alex Gilpin +275
Emiliano Sordi -115
Jordan Johnson -115
Ray Cooper III -200
David Michaud +160
Brendan Loughnane -380
David Valente +260
And here are my initial thoughts on the PFL 2019 Championship Opening Odds:
- The women’s lightweight final is actually a rematch as Harrison and Pacheco already met earlier this year, with winning a lopsided decision. I don’t see any reason to think Harrison won’t win the rematch, and really the only question is does she win another decision or finish the fight this time. I’m leaning towards a finish this time around since it’s five rounds and Harrison will have plenty of time to work. The odds are high on Harrison, but considering her dominance are justified.
- At heavyweight, it’s hard not to like Isaev over Rosholt as well. The Russian is unbeaten so far in MMA with an 8-0 record including a 4-0 mark in PFL alone this year. Rosholt had a better year with a 3-1 record but is still a guy who has lost many times. Look for Isaev to finish this fight.
- The men’s lightweight final should be a fun one as Schulte will look to defend his belt after beating Rashid Magomedov last year in the finals. Schulte had a great start to 2019, going 4-0 so far this year and looking great once again as one of PFL’s best fighters. Radzhabov made it to the finals with a 2-1-1 record, but he lacks the championship-level experience that Schulte has.
- At featherweight, Lance Palmer is another former champ who will look to defend his title when he takes on Alex Gilpin, who got the call to fight when Daniel Pineda tested positive. Palmer and Gilpin have already fought twice in 2019, with Palmer winning both fights by decision. There’s no reason to think Palmer won’t win the trilogy, and the opening odds should have been higher in his favor.
- At light heavyweight, Sordi and Johnson go at it in what should be one of the better fights on the card. Sordi has looked amazing this year with a 4-0 record while Johson somehow made it to the finals with a 2-1-1 record. I have been very impressed with how good Sordi has looked this year in PFL and I like him here at these Pick ’em odds in the most closely-lined fight on the card.
- And finally, in the welterweight division, we have one of the better fights on the card as Cooper takes on Michaud. Cooper made it to the finals last year but lost to Magomed Magomedkerimov, and he will be looking to right that wrong this time around against Michaud. Cooper didn’t have a good 2019 as he went just 2-1-1 but he won when it counted. Michaud, meanwhile, went 3-1. Ultimately though I believe Cooper’s power and Michaud’s lack of durability will win Cooper the fight.
