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. Featherweight champion Max Holloway will defend his title in a rematch with Jose Aldo in the main event. Get the latest UFC 218 odds at BookMaker.eu now!
UFC 218 has a lot to live up to, just a month after one of the greatest cards of all time. But one look at this Saturday’s lineup and you know the potential is there. Featherweight champion Max Holloway will make his first title defense in the main event, and the young Hawaiian is a brash, violent and ultra-confident fighter.
In the co-main event, heavyweight Francis Ngannou - a Predator in human form - will clash with Alistair Overeem, a former K-1 kickboxing champion who can crush bones with all eight of his limbs.
Justin Gaethje needs no introduction after putting on the odds-on favorite for Fight of the Year in his UFC debut. Now, “The Highlight” meets Fight of the Year owner Eddie Alvarez after the two coached opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter.
Rounding out the main card is a flyweight tilt between Henry Cejudo and Sergio Pettis, and a women’s strawweight scrap between Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson and contender Tecia Torres.
There’s tons to go over here, so let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your best betting picks.
Main Event, Featherweight Championship
Max Holloway -307Jose Aldo +247Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -145, under +125
Brief Breakdown
We’ve seen this movie before, and it doesn’t end well for Aldo. The Brazilian is the featherweight GOAT, but Holloway has got his number in a few different ways. His length and range negates Aldo’s speed advantage, and his durability lets him eat combinations that would put other 145ers away.
Most importantly, it’s the style of “Blessed” that makes him Aldo’s cryptonite. Holloway’s ability to push an insane pace against a fighter with a historically dodgy gas tank is the main reason why he’s such a big favorite.
UFC Betting Tips
The price on Holloway is expensive but a safe play. If you’re looking for a better payout, take Holloway inside the distance, as we really don’t see how Aldo can change the fight script. Perhaps he throws more leg kicks, but that would just lead to increased pressure from Holloway. Either way, Aldo likely won’t make it to the final bell.
UFC Odds Pick: Holloway inside the distance -140
Heavyweight
Alistair Overeem +190Francis Ngannou -240Over/under 1.5 rounds, over +110, under -130
Brief Breakdown
Even though Overeem is the far more seasoned striker and the more dynamic offensive fighter, he’s in real trouble against Francis Ngannou. The Frenchman has taken the heavyweight division by storm: he is 5-0 inside the octagon, with four TKO finishes and a submission victory. All of them have come before start of the third round.
While Overeem is always a threat to end the fight with a well-placed punch or knee, Ngannou is still relatively young in his career and really hasn’t taken much damage yet. He should be able to survive a bomb or two. On the other hand, Overeem cannot withstand a single successful blitz from somebody as explosive and powerful as Ngannou.
UFC Betting Tips
Lay the price on Ngannou to take the victory, and if you’re looking to gamble take him inside the distance. The Predator’s got 15 minutes to land a shot that drops The Reem, and he hasn’t failed yet in the UFC.
UFC Odds Picks: Ngannou to win at -240, Ngannou by TKO -160
Flyweight
Justin Gaethje -193Eddie Alvarez +149Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -160, under +140
Brief Breakdown
One of these days, Gaethje is going to get knocked unconscious - nobody that reckless can last long swimming with the sharks in the UFC’s lightweight division. Is Alvarez the guy that gives him his first loss in 18 pro fights? Possibly, but Eddie’s not a knockout artist on the same level as somebody like Conor McGregor or Edson Barboza. And we all know Gaethje can take some massive punches.
In this matchup, don’t be surprised if Alvarez turns into the grinding wrestler that put on contentious performances against Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis. Getting into a brawl with Gaethje is the last thing anyone wants to do.
UFC Betting Tips
We really don’t know how this fight will play out, but we lean Alvarez because of his wrestling and Gaethje’s refusal to defend himself. We saw that Alvarez can knock out guys with clean shots - it’s how he took the belt off RDA.
UFC Odds Pick: Alvarez to win at +149
Women’s Strawweight
Tecia Torres -225Michelle Waterson +175Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -330, under +270
Brief Breakdown
A natural atomweight, Waterson will almost always be at some sort of physical disadvantage at 115 pounds. This fight is no different. While she’s taller than Torres, the difference in musculature is distinct. “The Tiny Tornado” is a powerful, compact fighter and scraps exactly how you’d expect with that frame to scrap.
Therein lies the problem for Waterson. The Karate Hottie needs distance to get her kicks off, but Torres thrives inside the pocket. And if Tecia runs into any trouble, she should be able to take down the skinnier Waterson. Of course, she’d have to fend off an excellent submission wrestler if it turns into a grappling match.
UFC Betting Tips
Waterson will likely get muscled around here, as Torres will likely employ a clinch-heavy style to control large swaths of the bout. Torres to win is a safe play, as is the over - she only has one finish in 10 career fights, and is too skilled and tough to get caught by Waterson.
UFC Odds Pick: Torres to win at -225
Flyweight
Henry Cejudo -269Sergio Pettis +208Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -280, under +240
Brief Breakdown
The question here is whether Pettis can stop Cejudo’s takedowns. Sergio’s defense stands just south of 70%, but he’s never faced a wrestler as talented as the Olympic gold medalist. Although Cejudo’s takedown accuracy is surprisingly low at 35%, he does know how to grind on guys. While Pettis might be able to hold him off early, “The Messenger” should be able to take control of this bout in the later rounds.
UFC Odds Pick: Cejudo to win at -269
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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.
