One of the world’s best lightweights is back in action this Saturday. The undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight for the first time in 2017, meeting the explosive Edson Barboza in a high-stakes clash that could determine the next title challenger.
Nurmagomedov’s appearances have been rare as of late, as injuries and weight-cutting issues have kept him out of the octagon and outside of the spotlight. But when he does fight, the Dagestani brute usually has a powerful reminder as to why many feel he’s the most dangerous 155-pounder in the world.
Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down the matchup, along with your best betting options.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Edson Barboza +230
Khabib Nurmagomedov -303
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -115, under -101
Fight Preview
There have only been a few instances where Nurmagomedov has looked vulnerable while amassing a flawless 24-0 record. The most notable of these happened in his last fight, when he fought Michael Johnson in November 2106. While “The Eagle” ended up destroying Johnson with his usual GNP onslaught, he got absolutely lit up by a few combinations in the first round.
It’s one thing to get tagged by Johnson - who is an excellent boxer. But getting touched by Barboza is a whole different ballgame. The Brazilian is responsible for a few of the most spectacular KOs in the sport’s history, and that’s not hyperbole. His spinning wheel kick of Terry Etim is played on endless highlight reels, and in his last matchup he ended Beneil Dariush’s night in a split second with a flying knee.
You also can’t forget that he’s one of the best leg kick specialists in the game. A few well-placed kicks could severely hamper The Eagle’s mobility and take away the strength to land takedowns.
Of course, all Khabib needs is one takedown to dramatically alter the course of the fight. His top game makes veteran fighters look amateur, and even if a guy makes it to the end of the round he’s usually taken too much damage to come back from. Barboza is an amazing athlete, but he tends to fade against aggressive fighters - Tony Ferguson was able simply outpace him, and Khabib could plausibly grind him down. We tend to forget how dominant Khabib is.
UFC Betting Tips
Barboza is definitely a live ‘dog at these odds, and a small play on him makes sense. If he can force Khabib to kickbox even for a few minutes, Barboza has a huge chance to pull off an upset. But in the end, it’s impossible to bet against Nurmagomedov’s generational wrestling ability. While the Russian might take a few licks, at some point he will get his hands on Barboza.
And when he does, the 29-year old will take over the fight - just like he’s done against every one of his other opponents.
UFC Odds Pick: Nurmagomedov to win at -303
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
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UFC 219 takes place on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m. ET.
