Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced a featherweight title fight for the upcoming UFC 222 pay-per-view in March. Undisputed 145-pound champion Max Holloway will take on former lightweight titleholder Frankie Edgar in what will likely be the main event.
The odds for the fight were announced earlier today via ESPN:
Per @MMAOddsBreaker, Holloway will open a -215 betting favorite over Edgar +165 at UFC 222 on March 3. Virtually the same line as it opened when they were scheduled to fight on Dec. 2, which you’d expect. That opening line was Holloway -205.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 9, 2018
MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas explained his reasoning behind the original betting line:
“In Frankie Edgar, UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway finally faces an opponent who can go toe-to-toe with him for five rounds. At just 26 years old, Holloway’s striking has become elite, finishing stand-up specialists Jose Aldo (2x) and Anthony Pettis in his last three fights. Edgar is one of the most well-rounded MMA fighters of all time, balancing excellent boxing technique with stellar wrestling. The outcome of this fight will likely come down to Edgar’s takedowns because Holloway’s two most convincing losses both came on the canvas. If Edgar can put Holloway on his back, he can win. If the fight stays standing, I think Holloway eventually pulls away from Edgar just like he does with everyone else. Edgar is also 10 years older than Holloway and had to pull out of this fight the last time it was scheduled due to injury, so age and wear are likely a big factor here. I’m opening Holloway as a -215 betting favorite with Edgar being a +170 underdog.”
The full opening odds (via Several Bookmakers) including the opening total are posted below:
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Frankie Edgar +170
Max Holloway -215
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Over 4.5 -180
Under 4.5 +140
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Click below to bet on the fights!
