The bantamweight division has never really been a popular weight class for the UFC, but there’s been no problem hyping up this Sunday’s title bout between current between T.J. Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz.
It’s the biggest 135-pound matchup in the UFC’s history, and there are plenty of reasons you should be betting on it.
UFC Fight Night 81 odds at BookMaker.eu
Dominick Cruz +130
T.J. Dillashaw -160
Over/under 4.5 rounds, over -170, under +150
Please note, the odds listed here may have changed, as BookMaker updates on a daily basis. You can also view a full range of prop bets when you sign into your account.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The UFC at odds at BookMaker show a pretty close fight, with Dillashaw as a slight favorite at -160. We’ve got a high over/under at 4.5 rounds, with the over deep into chalk territory. If there is any movement, I’d expect Dillashaw to get more expensive, but I doubt there will be any major swings leading up to the fight.
THE STAKES
While nobody is arguing that T.J. Dillashaw is the rightful champion, the fact remains that Dominick Cruz is the lineal champion. “The Dominator” never lost his belt in the cage, but had to vacate the title because of an inability to stay healthy. Besides a strap, these men are battling for the title of “best 135-pounder on the planet.”
FIGHT BREAKDOWN
Cruz returned for the first time in almost three years and looked very much the same fighter in posting a spectacular victory over Takeya Mizugaki. He looked as dynamic as ever, applying the same constant pressure and hyperactive movement en route to a first round KO in just over a minute.
Although it wasn’t a long enough fight to tell precisely how much of his skill and conditioning has been retained, Cruz looked spry and dangerous. If healthy, the former champion seamlessly blends his outfighting with feints and takedown attempts to keep opponents guessing. What’s more, his conditioning has always been top notch, to the point of it being a serious weapon in his arsenal.
What’s compelling about this fight is that Dillashaw’s transition from wrestler into champion came with a transformation in style. Quite simply, he fights much like Cruz, utilizing movement and angles to deliver flurries of four-limbed combinations. He is in constant motion, probing his opponents for any weaknesses.
Dillashaw’s superb wrestling base is still a strength, although he’s much less reliant on it. Now, he uses the threat of a shot just as much as his takedowns, which keeps him off balance. Dillashaw is now one of the best three-dimensional fighters in the sport, and is comfortable in all aspects of the game.
THE SMART PLAYS It’s a tough call, but I’d tend to favor Dillashaw’s recent body of work over Cruz’ past accomplishments. While Cruz has been rehabbing, Dillashaw has been evolving. Under the tutelage of Duane Ludwig and now with an elite new camp in Denver, it’s plausible to assume the Dillashaw will evolve even further.
In regards to the over/under, I’ve got a gut feeling that this will end earlier than the 4.5 round mark. Cruz is fighting for just the second time in four years, and making the jump from Mizugaki to Dillashaw is no joke. A small bet on the under makes sense.
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. UFC Fight Night 81 takes place on Sunday, January 17, 2016 at the TD Garden in Boston, MA. The main card and prelims will be televised on FOX Sports 1.
