UFC 191: Johnson vs. Dodson II might not be the event that everyone’s talking about, but it’s got a title fight, a heavyweight contender bout, a guaranteed slugfest between top light heavyweights, and a rising star in the women’s division.
There’s not much more you can ask for – not every card can have Ronda Rousey or Conor McGregor. Let’s take a look at some of the bigger storylines.
Can Demetrious Johnson get some love?
Our UFC online odds have the champ as a -450 favorite over John Dodson, who is widely considered the second best flyweight in the division. After Ronda Rousey, Johnson is the most dominant champion in any weight class, but he has failed to attract a fan base despite seven successful title defenses.
Part of this is because Johnson isn’t a particularly exciting interview, something the champion admits. He goes into the cage and gets the job done, and refuses to engage in outside antics or even trash talk. But the main reason is that fans simply aren’t as interested in 125-pounders, as they prefer to see bigger men in battle. If Dodson can pull off the upset, perhaps a real rivalry could drum up some interest in the flyweight division.
The heavyweight Cinderella Man, Andrei Arlovski
Andrei Arlvoski’s career resurgence in his mid-30s is nothing short of amazing. Once cut from the UFC, he’s now racked up three straight wins over top-15 opponents. The former heavyweight champion is now on the cusp of a title shot, and a win over Mir might just be enough to get him there. Currently, Arlovski is a -175 favorite over Mir in our online odds.
Barnburner alert: Anthony Johnson ready to rumble
Hi kids, do you like brutal violence and knockouts? Then make sure to tune in for Anthony Johnson vs. Jimi Manuwa, who are both known to render men unconscious with a single punch. And don’t think there aren’t any stakes beyond a broken face: Johnson is a top-3 light heavyweight, who could find himself in another title challenge very soon. Manuwa could break into the top-10 with a win.
Currently, our UFC odds have Johnson is a -472 favorite, with Manuwa at +321.
Paige is all the rage
Yes, the 21-year old Paige VanZant is really, really ridiculously good looking. Now stop being creepy and look beyond her looks. While she’s extremely raw, she possesses an extremely high ceiling. Her fights are never boring, as a relentless pace and feisty exchanges have become her trademark style. While it would have been nice for her to face somebody in the top-10 rather than the unheralded Alex Chambers, VanZant now has to face the added pressure of winning in convincing fashion.
Currently, our UFC odds have VanZant as a -1500 favorite, with Chambers at +700.
HOW TO BET
Sign in to get the latest UFC 191 odds. BookMaker Sportsbook offers daily updates to money lines, over/under, prop bets and more, so make sure to lock in your bets should you find a favorable wager. UFC 191: Johnson vs. Dodson II takes place Saturday, September 5, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card is set to air on pay-per-view following the prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
Don’t forget to check in during fight night to get live odds. During each fight, BookMaker Sportsbook updates their odds in real-time, so you can keep betting as each fight unfolds on live television. It’s a great way to hedge your bets should you fall behind. With our mobile platform, it’s never been easier to bet on UFC events.
