UFC betting online: Two fighters on four-fight winning streaks will clash when lightweights Michael Johnson – 16-8, 7 KOs, 2 SUBs – and Beneil Dariush – 11-1, 2 KOs, 6 SUBs – meet at UFC Fight Night 73 in Nashville. A win would put either man into the crowded title picture at 155. The lightweight bout is scheduled for the prime slot right before the headlining bout between light heavyweight contenders Ovince St. Preux and Glover Teixeira.
CURRENT ODDS
Our UFC Fight Night 73 odds will likely list Johnson as the money line favorite, starting around minus-150. Johnson’s current winning streak has been eye-opening, to say the least. Expect the over/under in this three-rounder to be set at 2.5 rounds, with the over at close to minus-200. Main card prop bets are usually set a day or two before fight night, so remember to check back in for the all the latest odds.
HIGH STAKES AT 155
The 29-year old Johnson joined the UFC after a runner-up finish on The Ultimate Fighter 12. He’s quietly raised his status to the no. 5 slot in the UFC’s rankings on the strength of four straight wins over name opponents in Joe Lauzon, Gleison Tibau, Melvin Guillard and Edson Barboza. Johnson also owns a notable victory over Tony Ferguson, who is arguably the division’s hottest fighter.
Dariush has also been impressive in the octagon, compiling a 5-1 UFC record. While he’s riding a four-fight win streak of his own, the quality of his opponents falls short in comparison to Johnson’s. Still, Dariush has emerged as a fearsome wrestler, smothering opponents with ease and flashing above-average submission skills in the process.
There’s no question that Dariush will look to apply the same strategy against the athletic Johnson, who prefers to strike. It will be interesting to see how the Blackzilians rep handles a wrestler like Dariush, as he’s largely been matched up against strikers. It’s almost as if the UFC is asking Johnson to prove that he can beat an elite wrestler before sending him in against the best at 155.
FIGHT ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This fight all boils down to whether Johnson can stay off his back against Dariush, and I’m inclined to think he can. Johnson the faster, more explosive fighter and can be extremely difficult to catch and even harder to pin down. Although Dariush glues himself to his opponents, the springy Johnson has the physical tools to stay out of his clutches, and his standup skills far outshines the Iranian’s. The pick to win is Johnson by unanimous decision.
HOW TO BET
Sign in to get the latest Johnson vs. Dariush odds. Bookmaker offers daily updates to money lines, over/under, prop bets and more, so make sure to lock in your bets should you find a favorable wager. Their bout takes place at UFC Fight Night 73 on August 1, 2015 at the Nashville Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. FOX Sports 1 will televise the main card starting 10 p.m. ET.
Don’t forget to check in during fight night to get live odds. During each fight, Bookmaker updates their odds in real-time, so you can keep betting as each fight unfolds on live television. It’s a great way to hedge your bets should you fall behind. With our mobile platform, it’s never been easier to bet on UFC events.
