We’ve got a strawweight title eliminator on our hands this Saturday, with rising star Rose Namajunas taking on the undefeated Tecia Torres in a high-stakes clash. The two have met before, with Torres winning by decision in 2013 under the Invicta banner. Namajunas has a golden opportunity to avenge the loss and earn a shot at the strap in the process.
Bet on UFC on FOX 19 odds at BookMaker.eu
Rose Namajunas -183
Tecia Torres +145
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -225, under +185
Please note, the UFC odds at BookMaker are updated daily, so the lines you see here may have changed since this article was written.
THE STAKES
Ok, so Dana White hasn’t actually come out and said that the winner gets a title shot, but we have to assume that’s what happens. Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha are squaring off in July, and Namajunas and Torres happen to be the No. 2 and No. 3 fighters after them. Besides that title bout, this is the most meaningful fight in the division.
NAMAJUNAS’ KEYS TO VICTORY
Although she’s just six fights deep into her MMA career, 23-year old Namajunas is evolving at a frightening pace. Her game is based on relentless aggression, and her mission is to grind her opponents into dust with pace.
She’s still extremely raw in terms of striking, and most of her standup is just a precursor to the clinch. Rose thrives when she has opponents against the fence, where she’ll batter them with knees and elbows. From there, “Thug” has a variety of trips and throws to get fighters to the ground.
On the mat, Namajunas is lethal. All four of her victories have come by way of submission, and she can find them in the blink of an eye. However, she might want to avoid going to the ground against Torres.
TORRES’ KEYS TO VICTORY
Like Namajunas, Torres thrives in a fast-paced fight. Her nickname, “The Tiny Tornado”, is fitting as she’s all about hyperactive movement. Tecia’s a solid boxer with a little pop, but her short stature hurts her in the standup game.
It’s difficult to say who the better striker is between the two, but Torres is by far the better wrestler. Takedowns and control are Torres’ bread and butter. When she gets fighters on the mat, Torres stays extremely heavy while doing just enough ground-and-pound to avoid standups. She’s very good at this, which is why she’s undefeated with no stoppages on her resume.
This is exactly how she should approach her fight with Namajunas. She needs to secure takedowns, stay in guard and go to work. It’s going to be difficult since Rose never stops throwing up sub attempts, but it’s something that good wrestlers are accustomed to doing.
THE SMART PLAYS
Namajunas’ thrashing of Paige VanZant is still fresh in the minds of many, which is probably what accounts for her UFC odds at BookMaker. It’s also exactly what makes Torres an intriguing bet. Torres is a far more skilled fighter than PVZ, and her superiority in wrestling gives her a clear blueprint to victory. At +145, Torres is a great value.
UFC odds: Tecia Torres UD Rose Namajunas
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Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time money lines, totals, props and money line are all available now. You can even wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. UFC on FOX 19 takes place on April 16, 2016 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The card will be televised on FOX starting 8 p.m. ET following the FS1 prelims at 6 p.m.
