If UFC champions were decided by the eyeball test alone, Francis Ngannou would already be the heavyweight kingpin. The Frenchman is a 6’4”, 250 pound Adonis with elite athleticism and explosive power. You could slot him at linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys and nobody would blink.
But being the champ is more than just looking the part. You’ve got to earn it. And this Saturday, Ngannou could earn his shot with a win over former title challenger Alistair Overeem. It’s a matchup with guaranteed fireworks, and the most compelling heavyweight fight we’ve had in some time.
Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu, break down the matchup and go over your best betting options.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Alistair Overeem +182
Francis Ngannou -233
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over +105, under -125
Matchup Preview
Take a look at “The Predator’s” body of work inside the UFC so far: five fights, five finishes with four TKOs - all of them coming before the third round. He’s a scary ass dude that’s young for the division, hasn’t taken much damage yet, and is straight up mauling guys. This does not bode well for an aging fighter like Overeem.
The Reem’s chin isn’t quite on Arlovski levels of frailty yet, but it’s close. That make him hard to trust, especially against a guy that moves as fast and hits as hard as Ngannou. The 37-year old and his coaches at Jackson-Wink are aware of this too, as he’s transformed to a much more conservative fighter in recent years.
While Overeem is still racking up KOs with his dynamic kickboxing, he’s no longer an aggressive bully inside the octagon. Greg Jackson has turned him into a much more patient counterstriker, content to wait for his opponents to get off first so he can unload a fight-ending blow. It’s a smart move for a guy that has suffered 10 KO losses and has been stunned countless more times.
In this matchup, Ngannou has to exercise that same patience - running in against Overeem is a good way to knock yourself unconscious. The rising contender has never faced anyone with an offensive arsenal as varied as Overeem, and he’s got defend himself from all eight limbs. But given his speed and durability advantage, Ngannou’s got a great shot at turning the lights out.
UFC Betting Tips
Overeem can beat any heavyweight on any given night, Ngannou is the most physically gifted fighter in the division right now. Though Overeem has more weapons, Ngannou’s explosive power and superior cardio is what will win this fight.
The price on Ngannou is fair, and it’s a relatively safe bet. Ngannou inside the distance is our best pick for the money, as Overeem’s chin will not likely hold up for 15 minutes against a killer like “The Predator”.
UFC Odds Pick: Ngannou inside the distance at -185
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UFC 218 takes place on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit Michigan. The card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m. ET.
