In the main event of UFC 269, Charles Oliveira is looking to defend his lightweight title for the first time as he battles Dustin Poirier. The card goes down on Saturday, December 11 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC 269 Opening Odds:
Charles Oliveira: +145
Dustin Poirier: -165
UFC 269 Current Odds (Nov. 5)
Charles Oliveira: +130
Dustin Poirier -150
Oliveira and Poirier’s recent fights
Charles Oliveira (31-8) is coming off a second-round KO win over Michael Chandler back in May to win the vacant lightweight title. The Brazilian is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak and has not lost since December of 2017. During that run, he dominated Tony Ferguson over three rounds, submitted Kevin Lee, and also has beat Clay Guida, Jim Miller, and Jeremy Stephens in his career.
Dustin Poirier (28-6) had the back-to-back fights with Conor McGregor as back in July, the fight ended after the first round due to the Irishman breaking his leg. In January, however, Poirier knocked out the Irishman after defeating Dan Hooker by decision in June of 2020 to get back into the win column after being submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov for the belt. He won the interim lightweight title with a decision win over Max Holloway and also holds wins over Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje, and Anthony Pettis.
Are the odds surprising?
It is surprising to see the champion be the betting underdog as that doesn’t happen all that often in MMA. However, many fans view Poirier as the uncrowned lightweight champ and the best lightweight as he could’ve fought for the belt but decided to have the trilogy with McGregor.
Oliveira is also not the biggest name while Poirier has gotten the McGregor rub, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see the market have Poirier as the favorite as the money would’ve likely been hammered on Poirier at plus-money.
How might the odds change?
I do think this fight will see two-way action all the way until both of them are inside the Octagon. Already, the line has come down, and I think you will see Oliveira get to about a +115 underdog before sharps hammer the Poirier line and it will see-saw up and down until fight night. I do think when the fight starts it will be Poirier being favored as he’ll be around -140.
