UFC 200 was supposed to be the can’t-miss event of the year, but it looks like UFC 197 is going to steal all the headlines. That’s because superstar featherweight champion Conor McGregor will attempt to become just the third two-division champion in a bout for the lightweight strap, and Holly Holm will make her first title defense after scoring one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.
We’ve already got odds up for both these fights, so feel free to get some action going.
UFC 197 odds at BookMaker.eu
CHAMPION VS. CHAMPION
Conor McGregor -105
Rafael dos Anjos -125
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -115, under -115
ODDS ANALYSIS
A few Vegas sportsbooks opened the lines about a month ago when this bout was speculation, and McGregor was a slight favorite. Now, with the matchup officially scheduled, we’ve got the Irishman as a slight underdog at -105. I’d expect it to close at nearly pick’em odds, considering how much action comes in from loyal McGregor fans.
MCGREGOR GOES FOR HISTORY
There’s never been an active two-division champion in the UFC, but McGregor has been vocal about his desire to keep the 145-belt regardless of the outcome of his bout with Rafael dos Anjos. “The Notorious” is not lacking in terms of self-confidence, but there are many who feel like he might be biting off more than he can chew by setting his sights on dos Anjos.
McGregor is a huge featherweight, but he loses his size advantage moving up to lightweight. There are contenders that could easily fight at 170, as we’ve seen with Benson Henderson, Jorge Masvidal and now Donald Cerrone. RDA isn’t a giant lightweight, but he’s big and powerful nonetheless.
I’m looking forward to an entertaining matchup between McGregor’s flashy offense and RDA’s brutal standup. While the question of whether McGregor can handle a fully prepared wrestler won’t be answered against the Brazilian, how he’ll handle RDA’s speed and power is a compelling story.
UFC 197 odds at BookMaker.eu
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Holly Holm -400
Miesha Tate +300
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -180, under +140
ODDS ANALYSIS
The odds at BookMaker have Holm as a 4-to-1 favorite, with Miesha Tate as a significant underdog. Holm’s popularity has been rising with each mainstream media appearance, and her performance against Rousey probably inspired a lot of confidence in her skills. I’d expect her money line to move further into chalk territory. My initial reaction to the over/under is that it’s a bit low at 2.5 rounds, considering that Holm has gone the distance in two of three UFC fights.
HOLM SWEET HOLM
While the UFC expressed its desire to have Holm wait for a Rousey rematch at UFC 200, the newly minted bantamweight champion had no interest in waiting around till July. In fact, her team asked for Miesha Tate, who has won four in a row and was promised a shot at the title.
I get why Holm is a big favorite. In terms of standup, her technical striking is on a different level than Tate. She is one of the biggest bantamweights in the division and will carry a physical advantage over Tate. It does not bode well for Tate - who is a wrestler by nature - that Rousey could not effectively take Holm to the ground.
But this is a matchup that will show us exactly how Holm is. Tate is widely regarded as the next best fighter after Holm and Rousey. Holm was not impressive at all in her first two fights against mid-tier bantamweights, and Rousey played perfectly into her strengths. If Holly can dispatch Tate in dominant fashion, we might have to get used to seeing the belt around her waist.
BET ON UFC FIGHTS NOW
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! With BookMaker’s quick and easy payout options, your winnings are always close at hand. You can even wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time money lines, totals, props and money line are all available now. UFC 197 takes place on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.The main card will be televised on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m. ET.
