No. 10 heavyweight Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve (28-9, 8 KOs, 17 SUBs) will meet No. 12 Andrei Arlovski (26-15, 17 KOs, 3 SUBs) at UFC 222 on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m. ET following the FS1 prelims. Bet on the latest UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and get the latest previews, predictions and picks now.
The end is nigh for Andrei Arlovski. Though the former heavyweight champion insists that he’s still got some fight left in him, the truth is that he’s 39 years old, easily knocked out and in the midst of a 1-5 slide. He staved off some calls for his retirement but beating Junior Albini in his last outing, but Father Time is quickly catching up to “The Pitbull.”
This Saturday, Arlovski meets 6’11” Stefan Struve on the main card of UFC 222 in Las Vegas. Struve has been a longtime gatekeeper in the division, never quite breaking through to the elite tier. A win over Arlovski wouldn’t do too much for his career at this point, but it would keep “Skyscraper” in relevant fights for the time being. And at 29, Struve is still young by heavyweight standards.
Any heavyweight scrap with two easily knocked out dudes is a risky fight to bet on. Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your betting options.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Stefan Struve +160
Andrei Arlovski -200
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision +180/-260
Matchup Preview
Despite being the tallest dude on the UFC roster, Struve has never quite figured out how to best utilize his height advantage. He’s relatively agile for his size, but has never been quick enough to keep guys at kicking range, which is unfortunate because he has the dexterity to light guys up from range.
That’s not to say he’s a sitting duck in the striking ranges - Struve has steadily improved his kickboxing, and his jab in particular has evolved into a piercing weapon. Still, guys like Mark Hunt and Alistair Overeem showed a complete disregard for his power and simply walked him down before starching him.
A faulty chin has plagued Struve his entire career - a powerful puncher will always be a huge threat. Arlovski just so happens to be guy with 17 KOs in 26 career victories. While nobody will ever confuse the Belarusian for Francis Ngannou, “The Pitbull” has a stinging 1-2 that can still put opponents on ice.
Struve’s best work comes in grappling exchanges, as he’s excellent in using his long limbs for extra leverage in chokes and locks. No matter how much you want him to be an outfighter because of his height, Struve will always be a better grappler. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the powerful base of a wrestler and can’t take opponents to the mat consistently.
UFC Betting Tips
Expect this matchup to take place on the feet. In that scenario, we favor Arlovski. Struve simply doesn’t have the knockout power to chin check Arlovski, and that makes all the difference for a guy that has to go into each fight with the primary goal of protecting his chin.
UFC Odds Pick: Arlovski to win at +160
This is our best value pick. Arlvoski’s line is playable as a straight bet, and he should be able to quickly get into a range that makes Struve uncomfortable. While he doesn’t have the chin to take too many heavy hits, Arlovski will for once have the luxury of being able to open up with his strikes.
UFC Odds Pick: Arlovski to wins inside the distance +330
If you’re looking for a better payout, take a bet against Struve’s chin. While not as famously cracked as Arlvoski, Struve is guy that’s had his jaw famously shattered by the immortal Mark Hunt. Arlovski’s coaches, Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, are the best in the business and targeting weaknesses in fighters and Arlovski will have plenty of chances to land a heat seeker.
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UFC 222 takes place on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m. ET following the FS1 prelims.
