Two-time women’s bantamweight title challenger Valentina Shevchenko (14-3, 4 KOs, 6 SUBs) will welcome undefeated Priscila Cachoeira (8-0, 4 KOs) at UFC Fight Night 125 on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Guilherme Paraense Arena in Belem, Brazil. The card airs live on FS1. Bet on the latest UFC odds and get the latest previews, predictions and picks at BookMaker.eu now!
The No. 1 contender in the women’s bantamweight division will be moving down to her natural weight class. Valentina Shevchenko, coming off a failed title bid against Amanda Nunes, will make her flyweight debut against undefeated Priscila Cachoeira, who will be making her UFC debut. They’ll meet as the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 125 in Belem, Brazil this Saturday.
This is easily the most important fight yet in a brand new weight class, as many believe that Shevchenko is a surefire bet to become the 125-pound champ sometime this year. With a win, “Bullet” will likely clinch a title challenge against Nicco Montano.
Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu for your best betting options, and break down how you should play this scrap.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Valentina Shevchenko -742
Priscila Cachoeira +487
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over +115, under -135
Matchup Breakdown
We really don’t know much about Cachoeira, as she’s been fighting in regional Brazilian promotions prior to her UFC call-up. Obviously, she’s a hard hitter, notching half of her eight career victories by way of knockout. But man, it’s hard to think of a tougher debut fight. Coming from an unknown background to meet the No. 1 contender of a bigger weight class is a lot to ask.
For Cachoeira to have any success against Shevchenko, she has to be the aggressor, but not get sloppy. Shevchenko can be conservative to a fault, and many believe that her lack of output led to both her losses to Amanda Nunes. One could easily argue that a few more strikes in her last title challenge cost her the championship.
Forget trying to knock Shevchenko out. If Nunes, the most explosive bantamweight on the roster, couldn’t do it then some unknown Brazilian rookie won’t be able to either. Cachoeira will have to utilize her two-inch height advantage and snipe with her kickboxing from range. In addition, the Brazilian must avoid Shevchenko’s nasty clinch game.
UFC Betting Pick
This is basically a stepping stone fight for Shevchenko to earn a title fight, and that’s reflected in the odds. Her current price is parlay fodder, as it’s too expensive to warrant a straight play. Your other option is to take a prop bet, and the best value is based on Shevchenko’s lack of finishes in the UFC.
While it’s a riskier play, Shevchenko wins by decision is a solid bet, as all but one of her UFC fights have ended before the judges scorecards came into play. Because Cachoeira is a complete unknown, there are probably a lot of people thinking that Shevchenko easily outclasses her. That might well be the case, but it still won’t lead to an early finish.
UFC Odds Pick: Shevchenko by decision at +155
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UFC Fight Night 125 takes place on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Guilherme Paraense Arena in Belem, Brazil. The card airs live on FS1.
