Regardless of name value and hype, the first weekend in June will feature one of the best MMA fights on the docket in all of 2017. The greatest featherweight in MMA history, Jose Aldo, will put his reacquired UFC title on the line in the main event of UFC 212 against the most diverse striker he’s ever faced, Max Holloway. Following Conor McGregor’s exodus to the lightweight (and welterweight) division, Holloway is the most intriguing fight remaining for the longtime champ, and his remarkable 10-fight winning streak has many picking him to become the new king at 145 pounds.
Aldo knows all about long winning streaks as well. Prior to his loss to McGregor — his first in eight years under Zuffa contract — he was riding an 18-fight streak of his own, defending his title against the likes of Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes along the way. While he hasn’t exhibited the same dynamic finishing ability he showed early in his WEC career, there is no question that the Brazilian is one of MMA’s greatest technicians ever.
Every bit of that technique will be tested by Holloway, whose ability to establish a range against opponents has be uncanny during his winning streak. Combined with his now-excellent takedown defense and an extremely dangerous front headlock game, Holloway is a nightmare to deal with regardless of how his opponent approaches the fight. His form and skill set have Holloway just a +120 underdog to Aldo (-140) in what is by far the biggest fight of his career (click here for live UFC 212 betting odds).
The only other fight with a line prior to today is in the women’s strawweight division, as a pair of former title challengers square off to potentially determine the next contender for champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Claudia Gadelha has already faced Jedrzejczyk twice: the first was a razor close split-decision loss in a three-round fight, then the rematch was a five-round title affair that saw Jedrzejczyk storm back in the final three rounds to win a definitive decision. Kowalkiewicz wasn’t quite so competitive with the current champion, however, she did have one big moment in round four of her title opportunity that saw her hurt Jedrzejczyk. Gadelha opened as a -300 favorite, with the comeback on Kowalkiewicz at +250, which one can’t help but feel would be tighter were this a five-round contest.
The main card of UFC 212 also features a bout in Vitor Belfort’s legends division, as the 40-year-old takes on 38-year-old Nate Marquardt. This could be Belfort’s last fight, and the crowd in Rio would like nothing more than for one of their heroes to go out with a win. The final two fights on the main card could provide the same sort of action that Belfort has long been known for, as rising Brazilian Paulo Henrique Costa faces banger Oluwale Bamgbose in a middleweight contest, and Erick Silva meets Yacy Medeiros at 170.
However, outside of the top two fights, the gem of the card is almost certainly the featured prelim between Raphael Assuncao and UFC newcomer Marlon Moraes. Assuncao is perenially among the Top 5 bantamweights in the world while Moraes is the lone bantamweight champion in WSOF history, consistently impressing with his sublime striking.
MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for each of the remaining fights on UFC 212 today at Several Bookmakers. You can check out all of the opening odds below…
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UFC 212: Aldo vs. Holloway
JUNE 3, 2017
Jeunesse Arena | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Main Card – (PPV, 10 PM ET)
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Featherweight Title Unification Bout
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Max Holloway +100
Jose Aldo -130
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Over 4.5 -135
Under 4.5 -105
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Karolina Kowalkiewicz +260
Claudia Gadelha -380
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Over 2.5 -280
Under 2.5 +200
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Nate Marquardt +145
Vitor Belfort -185
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Over 1.5 -115
Under 1.5 -125
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Oluwale Bamgbose +165
Paulo Borrachinha -215
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Over 1.5 +135
Under 1.5 -175
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Yancy Medeiros +140
Erick Silva -180
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Over 1.5 -175
Under 1.5 +135
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Preliminary Card – (FS1, 8 PM ET)
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Raphael Assuncao +125
Marlon Moraes -165
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Over 2.5 -245
Under 2.5 +175
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Eric Spicely +165
Antonio Carlos Junior -215
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Over 2.5 -130
Under 2.5 -110
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Johnny Eduardo +110
Matthew Lopez -150
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Over 2.5 -115
Under 2.5 -125
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Brian Kelleher +175
Iuri Alcantara -245
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Over 2.5 -135
Under 2.5 -105
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Preliminary Card – (UFC Fight Pass, 6:30 PM ET)
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Jamie Moyle +130
Viviane Pereira -170
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Over 2.5 -305
Under 2.5 +225
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Jim Wallhead +125
Luan Chagas -165
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Over 2.5 -125
Under 2.5 -115
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Marco Beltran +135
Deiveson Alcantra -175
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Over 1.5 -180
Under 1.5 +140
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Click below to bet the fights now!
