Blachowicz v Adesanya Preview and Best Betting tips
There will be three World Championships on the line in Las Vegas this weekend at UFC 259, with the Light Heavyweight, Featherweight and Bantamweight titles being defended on one of the most highly anticipated pay-per-view events of 2021 so far. After a stacked undercard that includes a plum clash between Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober, Petr Yan will defend his 135-lb belt against Aljimain Sterling in the first of the title triple-header. Then it’s time for double champ Amanda Nunes to put her 145-lb strap on the line against Megan Anderson, before our main event where Israel Adesanya looks to become a two-weight champ when he moves up from Middleweight to Light Heavyweight to take on Jan Blachowicz in the main event.
Here’s all you need to know about UFC betting 259; UK start time, TV details and betting odds.
UFC 259 UK Time: 1 AM prelims, 3 AM Main Card, 5 AM (estimated) Main Event
UFC 259 UK Channel: BT Sport 2
Jan Blachowicz v Israel Adesanya UFC 259 Preview, Fight News and Betting Tips
Izzy Adesanya will look to add his name to the very exclusive list of people to hold UFC titles simultaneously in two weight divisions when he faces off with the newly-crowned 205-lb champ Jan Blachowicz. It’s been almost a year and a half since a UFC champion lost their title, and Adesanya will certainly be considered the favourite to end this streak on Saturday evening. Middleweight powerhouses like Paolo Costa, Yoel Romero, Kelvin Gastelum and Robert Whittaker couldn’t take him out in recent years, and at 37/20 it seems the Polish power isn’t being favored to be enough to do it for Jan.
Adesanya comfortably put Paolo Costa to the sword in his last outing, while on the same night Blachowicz became champ by knocking out Dominick Reyes. Costa had never lost, let alone been finished, while Jan was finished by Thiago Santos just two years ago. At 1/1, Adesanya by KO/TKO/DQ seems great value, while Blachowicz, arguably the hardest hitter ‘Stylebender’ has faced, getting the reverse at 5/1 is definitely worth putting a few quid on. It’s a compelling stylistic matchup between the undefeated Adesanya and the recently crowned champ, and we aren’t confident that it’ll go the distance, offering a price of 33/20.
The method of victory for the defending champ will involve being willing to stand with Adesanya, and hope that his accuracy and power haven’t transferred as well through the different weight classes. He’ll need to get close enough to the elusive kickboxer to grab him and show his strength, before landing one of his legendary knockout blows. For Adesanya, he’ll just need to keep doing what he’s been doing, moving around the cage and taking control of the octagon before darting into the champ’s striking range and out again with those laser-accurate shots.
Amanda Nunes v Megan Anderson UFC 259 Predictions, Fight News and Betting Tips
Amanda Nunes is arguably the most dominant fighter in the world of Mixed Martial Arts today, and her winning run is expected to continue against Megan Anderson this weekend. We’ve priced Nunes as an unbackable 1/18 favourite, while an Anderson victory is an unbelievable 25/4. In a sport as versatile as MMA, we think that Anderson win seems worth a little look, despite the overwhelming likelihood that Amanda retains.
Featherweight is a difficult division to get behind at the moment, thanks in part to just how good Brazillian star Amanda Nunes has proven to be since taking the title from her countrywoman Cris Cyborg back in 2018.After Anderson rose to the top of the division in her old promotion, Invicta FC, this fight was one fans were itching to see. Unfortunately, Holly Holm and Felicia Spencer had other ideas and provided roadblocks. But after wins over Zarah Fairn and unbeaten Norma Dumont got her back on track, we’re ready to see what Anderson has to offer.
If Anderson is to change the face of the Featherweight division by putting an end to Nunes’ incredible run, she’ll need to get tight in the clinch and push the champ against the cage in an effort to smother her.There are very few women who control the distance better than Amanda, and once she finds her rhythm she completely suffocates her opponents. One interesting market to look at from a betting perspective is the method of victory. Nunes, despite her absolute dominance over Felicia Spencer last time out, couldn’t quite get the finish. If that happens again, you could make a nice bit of cash on Nunes by decision at 9/2.
Petr Yan v Aljimain Sterling UFC 259 Predictions, Fight News and Betting Tips
Many fans believe this clash of Bantamweight titans to be the most exciting and hard-to -call matchup of the three title bouts, and our prices agree. The margins are razor-close in the betting market, with a Sterling win priced at 20/23 and a successful Yan defence 5/6. Yan moved his camp from Tiger Muay Thai to Florida’s American Top Team due to concerns about movement during the pandemic, and we’re hearing from within the camp that it’s been some of his best preparation yet.
A number of hardcore MMA viewers see the battle between Sterling and Yan as the first ‘real’ fight for the Bantamweight title since Henry Cejudo’s retirement back in May last year. ‘Aljo’ quickly defeated one of the best fighters in the division in Corey Sandhagen back in June, just days after Yan had taken the vacant title in a demolition of legendary Jose Aldo on Fight Island.
We spoke to somebody high up in the Yan camp, and were told to recommend a fourth round stoppage for the reigning champion. Should that come through, you’d be big time in the money, because our price for that outcome is 16/1. There’s concern about Sterling’s leg kicks and his phenomena ground game, with the first round likely to be the toughest for the Russian. Sterling by submission is another interesting bet, that’s 7/2 with NetBet sport.
