UFC 200 is getting a superb lead-in bout, with the two best women’s strawweights in the world facing off for the title one night before the tentpole card. Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk will defend her belt against Claudia Gadelha in a rematch of their December 2014 fight that ended in a razor thin split decision.
Both women will serve as coaches of The Ultimate Fighter 23 and will square off in the finale on July 8. Though it’s still months away, you can bet on the matchup now.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Claudia Gadelha +150
Joanna Jedrzejczyk -190
Over/under 4.5 rounds, over -205, under +165
ODDS ANALYSIS
The odds at BookMaker have opened with J-Check as nearly a 2-to-1 favorite at -190. The first time these two met at UFC on FOX 13, Gadelha closed as a -274 favorite, with Jedrzejczyk checking in at +212. What’s changed this time around is that Joanna has become a breakout star, with three dominant victories since then, while Gadelha has only fought once due to injuries. It’s hard to predict which way the line will move, but I think J-Check’s line will shift further into chalk territory.
BEST OF THE BEST, PART 2
These are the two best 115-pounders in the world, period. In the thin strawweight division, you can make the argument that Jedrzejczyk and Gadelha are the only truly elite fighters in the class. Sure, there are up and comers like Rose Namajunas, but nobody else has the combination of polish and elite skills that this pair does.
The first time these two met, many scored the bout for Gadelha, myself included. While Jedrzejczyk clearly one the first round with a knockdown, Gadelha had her on the ground for much of rounds 2 and 3. She wasn’t doing much damage, but she was sticking her takedowns and keeping the Polish striker grounded.
“I know I didn’t lose that fight, I think about it all the time,” Gadelha said. “I’m sure every time she puts her head on her pillow before going to sleep she knows she lost to me. She can’t run away from me, she will have to prove she is the best strawweight in the world.
Whether you believe Gadelha won or not, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be fun watching her and Jedrzejczyk go back and forth for a whole season of The Ultimate Fighter. They don’t even share a common language, yet somehow they’ve become heated rivals.
“Tricky part will be putting up with Joanna,” Gadelha told UFC Brasil. “I’m certain she will try to get under my skin to mess with my head, but I will be prepared for that. I hope I have enough patience not to put my hands on her.
EARLY BETTING VALUES
Honestly, I think that this fight is close to a pick’em. Gadelha is probably the only strawweight in the world that can take Jedrzejczyk to the ground. She is a world-class athlete who fights with a savage physicality. Jedrzejczyk is a much more smooth technician, with crisp, violent Muay Thai.
I’d lean towards betting on the champion since she’s shown that she can handle a five-round fight. Gadelha has only gone three rounds, and she fights so ferociously that there’s a good chance she’d fade in the championship rounds. Although she dominated Jessica Aguilar in her most recent outing, she did start to gas late and had zero defense. The early pick is J-Check to win a unanimous decision.
HOW TO BET
Access live betting lines at BookMaker Sportsbook and start wagering now. With our live betting options, you can also wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale takes place on on Friday, July 8, 2016. The time, venue and coverage have yet to be announced.
