Former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold (16-3, 6 KOs, 8 SUBs) will meet No. 1 contender Yoel Romero (12-2, 10 KOs) at UFC 221 on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Perth Arena in Perth Australia. The main card airs live on pay-per-view following the FS1 prelims. Bet on the latest UFC odds and get the latest previews, predictions and picks at BookMaker.eu now!
With undisputed champion Robert Whittaker unable to defend his title, Yoel Romero will take his spot opposite Luke Rockhold in the main event of this Saturday’s UFC 221. An interim title will be on the line, marking Romero’s second straight attempt at a fake belt after losing his bid against Whittaker in his last outing.
For Rockhold, it’s an opportunity once again wrap his waist with a shiny title. The former champion took the belt from Chris Weidman in 2015, but failed to register a single defense when Michael Bisping knocked him out in one round - perhaps the biggest upset of 2016. Let’s just forget about the weirdness of the Bisping-GSP title reign.
So how should bet this fight? It’s a close one, for sure. Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your best betting options.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Luke Rockhold -105
Yoel Romero -125
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -155, under +125
Matchup Breakdown
It seems as if oddsmakers had tough time setting a favorite, as both men are chalk plays. Romero’s money line makes him a favorite, although it wouldn’t surprise me to see this become a pick’em play.
It’s an extremely competitive fight, with both men having clear avenues to victory. Romero is the scariest pure athlete in the division, capable of ending any fight with a single, violent outburst. If he’s standing, he’s a threat to finish his opponent at any moment.
Though Romero is an Olympic silver medalist in freestyle wrestling, his grappling is primarily used defensively. He wants to keep fights standing, conserve his energy and wait for the perfect moment to unleash a game-clinching hellstorm of strikes. However, he’s very aware of when he can overpower opponents, like his GNP beatdown of Lyoto Machida.
Rockhold, being the taller rangier fighter, can maintain distance and pepper Romero with his thudding leg kicks. Of course, this puts Rockhold at risk of getting caught flush, which has happened in two consecutive fights. Against Bisping, he failed to recover. Against David Branch, Rockhold held on and came back to submit the former WSOF champ. The margin of error is minimal against Romero - any second that he’s standing the Cuban is a risk to end the fight with a single shot. Remember how he starched Tim Kennedy and Chris Weidman in an instant after a few grueling rounds?
There is also the very clear opportunity to tax Romero’s gas tank - he visibly slows down in later rounds. Though the Cuban has shown the ability to fight five rounds, Romero has to be very aware of his energy meter. Rockhold has to make him work for any takedowns and keep him on his guard.
UFC Betting Tips
It’s disturbing that Rockhold seems to have a habit of getting clocked clean once or twice a fight - especially against a monster like Romero. Still, we favor his youth, stamina and defensive grappling against an aging fighter. We just wish that both men weren’t chalk plays, as it’s much easier to side with the underdog in a fight competitive as this one.
If you were weary about picking a winner, the over/under at 1.5 rounds provides a good opportunity to bet and win similar amounts. It’s the lowest possible round total, giving the over a much larger time frame at just a slightly more expensive rate than picking a fighter to win.
UFC Odds Pick: Over 1.5 rounds at -155
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UFC 221 takes place on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Perth Arena in Perth Australia. The main card airs live on pay-per-view following the FS1 prelims.
