Lightweight veteran Joe Lauzon (27-14, 7 KOs, 18 SUBs) will meet Chris Gruetzemacher (13-3, 6 KOs, 3 SUBs) at UFC 223 on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m. ET, following the FS1 prelims. Get the latest UFC odds and get previews, predictions and betting picks at BookMaker.eu now.
Joe Lauzon has been scrapping in the octagon since 2006. With 25 fights under the UFC banner, he’s one of the longest tenured guys on the roster. The craziest part is that he’s just 33 years old, so he’s still got a few good years left in him. But if he wants to stick around the big show, J-Lau has got to start putting together a few wins.
Looking to snap a two-fight skid, Lauzon meets Chris Gruetzemacher on the Fight Pass prelim portion of UFC 223 on April 7. Gruetzemacher is in the same position, with back-to-back losses. Except he doesn’t have the luxury of a long octagon career to give him any job security. Another defeat could send him packing.
So who should you be betting on here? Will Lauzon find his bearings or will Gruetzemacher get the biggest win of his career? Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your best betting options.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Joe Lauzon -163
Chris Gruetzemacher +132
Fight Goes/Doesn’t Go to Decision +130 / -180
Coming Into the Scrap
Lauzon hasn’t had a winning streak since 2014, and since then he’s 3-5 overall. In his last matchup, he was knocked out by Clay Guida - a longtime wrestler who has never been a knockout threat. With five knockout losses on his resume, Lauzon’s chin is slowly cracking after so many wars in the octagon. But he’s always been one to rely on craftiness and guile, so he should be able to handle his aging body better than most.
Gruetzemacher made a successful debut on the heels of an 11-fight winning streak in the WSOF and Strikeforce. He fought his way into the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter 22, where he was coached by Urijah Faber. But after beating Abner Lloveras in the TUF 22 Finale, he lost to Chas Skelly and Davi Ramos, both times getting submitted by rear-naked choke.
Striking Stats
Landed Per Minute: Lauzon 2.64 / Gruetzemacher 5.39
Accuracy: Lauzon Lauzon 46.48% / Gruetzemacher 54.97%
Absorbed Per Minute: Lauzon 5.02 / 5.17
Defense: Lauzon 56.4% / 53.42%
Grappling Stats
Takedown Average: Lauzon 2.46 / Gruetzemacher 0
Takedown Accuracy: Lauzon 46.48% / Gruetzemacher 0
Takedowns Defended: Lauzon 54.76% / Gruetzemacher 58.09%
Submission Average: Lauzon 2.16 / Gruetzemacher 0
UFC Odds Pick: Lauzon to Win at -163
These is a solid price for a much more experienced fighter. While Lauzon’s recent history makes him a risky play, his grappling is the most dominant skill in this fight. He does not want to get into a kickboxing match against a guy that throws with such high volume, and J-Lau’s chin simply can’t take a sustained beating anymore. Make sure this is a small bet.
UFC Odds Pick: Fight Goes to Decision at +130
Lauzon is a submission specialist, and Gruetz has lost his last two by RNC. But we like getting underdog odds on the fight going to decision. It’s been over 5 years since Lauzon won by submission, and his opponent will be fully aware of what his strengths are and defend at all costs.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
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UFC 223 takes place on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m. ET, following the FS1 prelims.
