No. 5 light heavyweight Ovince St. Preux (22-10, 10 KOs, 7 SUBs) will meet No. 10 Ilir Latifi (13-5, 5 KOs, 4 SUBs) at UFC on FOX 27 on January 27, 2018 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The main card airs live on FOX starting 8 p.m. ET. Bet on the latest UFC odds and get the latest previews, predictions and picks at BookMaker.eu now!
Don’t look now, but Ovince St. Preux is back from the depths. After a 1-3 slide that left the former interim title challenger reconsidering his entire approach to training, the 34-year old has won three straight matchups - all by way of finish. Now back to No. 5, OSP will meet Sweden’s Ilir Latifi on the main card of UFC on FOX 27 this Saturday in Charlotte.
For Latifi, it’s a chance to earn the most significant win of his career. OSP is looking to cement his status as an elite gatekeeper. Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down the matchup along with your best betting options.
UPDATE: Ilir Latifi was injured, the matchup has been scheduled to UFC on FOX 28 on February 24.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ovince St. Preux vs. Ilir Latifi
Odds coming soon!
Matchup Preview
In early 2017, OSP looked perilously close to shot. In three consecutive losses, the former Tennessee defensive lineman looked tentative and gassed early. From all appearances, it looked like his heart wasn’t in it anymore, or perhaps he had just lost his competitive drive.
But something has clicked in OSP recently, and a renewed commitment to cardio is paying dividends. He is more authoritative in his striking, and his explosive athleticism gives him knockout power in all four limbs. But his best weapon is his submission wrestling, and he has been far more aggressive in imposing it.
Latifi is a tough, stocky fighter with ridiculous strength. Just 5’8”, Latifi is almost always at a height and reach disadvantage in the striking range, and this will almost comically be the case against the 6’3” OSP. Luckily for the Swede, he is a powerhouse wrestler who does his best work on the ground.
But will he be able to take down St. Preux? That’s not likely. Though OSP’s defense is not airtight, he is the bigger, more athletic fighter in this matchup. He should be able to sprawl against Latifi’s blast doubles and widen his base if pushed against the fence. Should this become a kickboxing match, St. Preux will have a distinct edge.
UFC Betting Tips
The safe play here is OSP to win - this is a matchup that favors him physically and stylistically. If you’re looking to chance a better payout, St. Preux by TKO/KO returns a nice dividend. OSP isn’t a vaunted knockout artist, but he should be able to keep this fight standing and hammer the shorter Latifi from afar.
UFC Odds Pick: St. Preux to win
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UFC on FOX 27 takes place on January 27, 2018 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The main card airs live on FOX starting 8 p.m. ET.
