UFC Fight Night Best Bets: Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland
Best bets and analysis for Saturday's UFC Fight Night, headlined by slight favorite Jared Cannonier fighting Sean Strickland.
After a UFC 282 packed with controversy, the promotion returns to its home at the APEX on Saturday night with one of the most evenly matched main events in recent memory. In the 185 lb. division, two top-seven ranked fighters coming off losses face off to get back in title contention. SI Sportsbook has this bout listed as a pick 'em, with both fighters at -110 odds. With two dangerous strikers battling in the smaller Octagon at the APEX, fight fans can expect to see some fireworks.
UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland
Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022
Venue: UFC APEX, Las Vegas
Prelims 4 p.m. ET
Sergey Morozov (-300) vs. Journey Newson (+240)
Bryan Batte (+125) vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (-150)
Rafa Garcia (-135) vs. Maheshate (+110)
Said Nurmagomedov (-110)vs. Saidyokub Kakhramonov (-110)
Jake Matthews (-300) vs. Matthew Semelsberger (+240)
Cheyanne Vlismas (-200) vs. Cory McKenna (+165)
Main Card 7 p.m. ET
Cody Brundage (+225) vs. Michael Oleksiejczuk (-275)
Drew Dober (-150) vs. Bobby Green (+125)
Alex Caceres (+145) vs. Julian Erosa (-175)
Amir Albazi (-450) vs. Alessandro Costa (+350)
Arman Tsarukyan (-200) vs. Damir Ismagulov (+165)
Jared Cannonier (-110) vs. Sean Strickland (-110)
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
I have been anticipating this Cannonier vs. Strickland main event on Saturday night since it was announced. Two high-level strikers are going at it, both attempting to bounce back after losing their last fights. The oddsmakers have this as dead even and while my gut is telling Strickland finds a KO finish, I am not confident enough to lay out a wager on that outcome. With a confined Octagon and the style of these two fighters swinging with reckless abandon, I don't see a scenario where this makes it to the judges.
SI Video Julian Pinto
I am paying close attention to the Said Nurmagomedov-Saidyokub Kakhramonov match. Said Nurmagomedov enters this match with a number next to his name for the first time in his UFC career (ranked 15th), and he will likely build upon that. Nurmagomedov will be too much for Kakhramonov. If you let Nurmagomedov get into a groove, he is going to pick you apart, and if he really gets into a groove, he is going to be able to read his opponent and split his timing. Kakhramonov has good grappling. But so does Nurmagomedov, and Kakhramonov's defense against the cage is very good, and his ability to attack from defensive positions (see his submission victory over Cody Stamann) makes grappling with Nurmagomedov a dangerous affair. Nurmagomedov will get the unanimous decision.
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