Frankie Edgar v Brian Ortega: Ortega to win via KO or Submission @21/10
A cracking fight, but a tough one to call. This should easily be the headline event. The experienced little Jedi master that is Edgar versus the up and coming, highly skilled younger prospect that is Brian Ortega. Ortega comes in off a five match winning streak with five devastating finishes. He’s got probably one of the best submission games in the UFC at the moment and he says he’ll be the first fighter to stop Edgar. Who could argue, really?
They each want the title.
Who takes another step closer?#UFC222: @FrankieEdgar vs @BrianTCity | Saturday, Mar. 3 | LIVE on PPV pic.twitter.com/zzOpFdkMpP
— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2018
The smart money is on Edgar to win on points. He’s a master of picking people off with neat boxing skills and getting in and out quickly using his exceptional footwork. He’ll have to be at his best to keep Ortega off for three rounds because he won’t have faced anyone with the submission skills of Ortega.
The safe option says take Edgar on points but it’s too close of a fight to get value in the 5/6. The value option screaming out here is to take a punt on Ortega to continue his streak and do what he says he’ll do – stop Edgar. Take it at 21/10.
Andrei Arlovski v Stefan Struve: Arlovski to win by KO @ 7/2
Someone’s going to sleep here. Make sure it’s not you – with half a kebab on your face. Because while these two are well past their best, you won’t want to miss the knockout.
They’ve both been in some crackers over the years and many a times the Skyscraper has proved me wrong with his stretch Armstrong limbs flailing about the octagon – dam you Stefan. He’s favourite here but it’s really a 50/50 shot. Hopefully they both come in in shape and they’ll have a good old fashioned dust up.
Big Andrei we know has serious knockout power and while he’s 39 now, he still should have enough to land a bomb through Struve’s non-existent defence. Arlovski to win by KO at 7/2 is the value bet here.
*The Double pays just over 12/1.
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