This is gonna be fun. In the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 98 in Mexico City, former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos meets No. 3 ranked Tony Ferguson in a matchup that promises to brutal violence. It’s a fight that could be considered a title eliminator for Ferguson, who is looking to win his ninth straight in a loaded division.
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Rafael Dos Anjos -140
Tony Ferguson +120
Over/under 3.5 rounds, over -135, under +115
Please note, the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu are updated daily.
Odds Analysis
Dos Anjos is a slight favorite at -140, meaning it would take a $140 bet to win $100. Ferguson is an even slighter underdog at +120. The Brazilian’s line has trended downward since opening as a -120 underdog, but over the last week he has held steady. In contrast, Ferguson opened at +105 over a month ago, and his line has gone steadily upward to its current figure.
The over/under for this five-round main event is 3.5 rounds, with the over at -135. Both men have shown the ability to fight deep into fights, which accounts for the higher round total here.
Fight Preview
If you’re one of those weaklings who can’t stand the sight of blood, you’ll probably want to tune out when these two dudes meet. Though Dos Anjos started his career as a submission savant, training with Rafael Cordeiro at King’s MMA has turned him into a certified Muay Thai badass. His first-round knockouts of Benson Henderson and Donald Cerrone is all I need to prove that statement.
What’s more, Dos Anjos just put together one of the finest runs in lightweight history with a four fight winning streak over Henderson, Cerrone, Anthony Pettis and Nate Diaz. Even more amazing is the fact that he dominated all those elite fighters. Though he lost his last bout - and the lightweight title - against Eddie Alvarez, you can write that off as a flash knockout as Alvarez caught him with a flush hook that put the lights out.
Dos Anjos might be a refined, technical killer, but Ferguson is an all-out madman. “El Cucuy” is the type of fighter who regularly will throw somersault kicks just to mess with his opponents. He gives absolutely zero f’s inside the octagon, and will resort to brawling on a whim. But there’s a method to his madness: he is a highly conditioned athlete, and it’s nearly impossible to keep up with his pace.
Plus, Ferguson is the bigger man by three inches. Dos Anjos will have to account for fighting a taller man that fights even longer due to his wide array of kicks. And just how do you prepare for a guy with a completely unpredictable offensive arsenal?
Breakdown and Prediction
There is also a huge environmental factor here: the high elevation of Mexico City. The last time the UFC came here, it was clear that fighters were having trouble adjusting to the thinner air. That makes me like El Cucuy’s gas tank even more. Plus, Dos Anjos has a habit of crowding the pocket, which should trigger all sorts of manslaughtering combos from Ferguson.
UFC odds: Ferguson TKO Dos Anjos, R3
How to Bet
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today. UFC Fight Night 98 takes place on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at the Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, Mexico. The card will air on FOX Sports 1.
