It’s UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas, and that always draws big talent to the card.
In addition to two title bouts, a mix of past and future contenders stacks the deck. Before we see the best middleweight in the main event, we’ll see whether a relatively new middleweight prospect, Andre Muniz, is the real deal.
Andre Muniz (-245) vs. Uriah Hall (%plussign% 205)
Middleweights
Muniz is riding a three-fight armbar submission streak and has a chance to become one of the more feared grapplers in the game. But while he might have the edge on the ground, Muniz must prove he can close the distance against a superior striker.
Hall certainly has the experience edge, though Muniz sizes up well against him. Muniz attempts takedowns at a furious pace and lands them at an above average rate. Hall’s takedown defense is decent but probably won’t hold for long. After that, his submission defense will be tested.
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Hall has the advantages while standing at a distance, but once up close, his long arms will become a liability against a trophy collector such as Muniz.
Play: Muniz to win and Fight Does Not Go to Decision, which hedges against a Hall KO.
Alexander Volkanovski (-190) vs. Max Holloway (%plussign% 155)
Featherweight title | Co-main event
The first two meetings were competitive enough to give Holloway one more shot at regaining the belt. These fighters have already spent 10 rounds together, and we should expect a similarly close matchup in the next five.
Not much has changed from the first two meetings. Both fighters like to set a fast pace and combined for more than 30 strike attempts per minute while standing and trading. Both are precise, though Volkanovski seems to have a little more heat in his power strikes. Volkanovski barely managed to elevate his game enough to stay ahead of Holloway in the previous meetings.
The lean is with the defending champ, but this remains a very close matchup. There isn’t much value on Volkanovski at current prices, so sit back and enjoy.
Israel Adesanya (-365) vs. Jared Cannonier (%plussign% 300)
Middleweight title | Main event
Speaking of striking duels, expect Adesanya and Cannonier to spend plenty of time on the feet. And that bodes well for Adesanya, who has only looked mortal when he’s put on his back. That’s unlikely to happen here, meaning Adesanya will have plenty of time to work his long-range striking and find the chin of Cannonier.
Cannonier has certainly done better at the middleweight level, but his willingness to engage in a shootout against the division’s most dangerous striker is an uphill battle.
Play: Adesanya to win and Fight Does Not Go the Distance for parlays, plus a small prop on Adesanya Inside the Distance at plus money.
