UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (19-3, 7 KOs, 5 SUBs) will defend his title against Kamaru Usman (14-1, 6 KOs, 1 SUB) at UFC 235 on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 9pm ET.
The running joke in MMA forums is that the longer Tyron Woodley remains the champ, the angrier Dana White gets. For a myriad of reasons, the two really just don’t jibe - but mostly it’s because White has failed to get T-Wood to fight who he wants and when. Despite White’s best efforts to undermine his welterweight champion, Woodley’s current title run is undeniable - the man is legitimately chasing GSP at this point.
This Saturday, “The Chosen One” makes his fifth consecutive title defense against the fast-rising Kamaru Usman. For what it’s worth, Usman has been basking in the spotlight as the title challenger - dude’s been swagging everywhere and starting beefs with everyone. It’s fun to watch, but you’ve got wonder whether he’s been buying into his own hype.
Woodley knows a thing or two but cutting down hype. In his last fight, he schooled the previously undefeated Darren Till, who had been beasting through the 170-pound division. Now he looks to end Usman’s 13-fight win streak and hand him his first loss inside the octagon.
Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your online betting options. Remember, live UFC betting is also available to hedge your bets between rounds. It’s definitely something you should keep an eye on.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tyron Woodley -185
Kamaru Usman +146
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: -135 / -105
Significant Striking Stats
Landed per minute: Woodley 2.62 / Usman 4.47
Accuracy: Woodley 48% / Usman 50%
Absorbed per minute: Woodley 2.26 / Usman 1.65
Defense: Woodley 61% / Usman 59%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Woodley 1.34 / Usman 4.47
Accuracy: 42% / Usman 51%
Takedown defense: Woodley 94% / 100%
Submission average: 0.5 / 0.2
Bet on Woodley vs. Usman at BookMaker.eu
After two of the most boring title defenses of all time against Stephen Thompson and Demian Maia, you really couldn’t find too many fans of Woodley. But the thrashing of Till changed things: Woodley came out hot, pressuring the kickboxer and putting on an all-around MMA clinic. If you look at all three of those fights together, it’s clear that Woodley is one of the most cerebral fighters in the game.
His gameplan revolves around shutting down his challengers - whether that’s refusing to let a striker get into his rhythm, shutting down the takedowns of a grappler or sporadically blitzing a counterstriker. So how is he going to approach the fight with Usman?
The wrinkle here is that Usman’s wrestling is on par with the champ’s. In every title defense, the threat of Woodley’s takedowns hung over his challengers, but that won’t be the case here. When it comes to striking, we have to give the advantage to Woodley. Though his arsenal isn’t diverse, his overhand right has scored countless knockdowns - and nobody ever sees it coming. Usman, however, is still a little robotic as a striker, and it’s clearly not in his comfort zone.
UFC Odds Pick: Woodley to win at -185
Surprisingly, Woodley’s price really hasn’t changed since opening in January. All the better for you. Right now, his money line is extremely fair as he’s got more experience against better competition and has the tools to stop Usman’s strengths and exploit his weaknesses. Woodley might have issues early against an aggressive powerhouse wrestler who can be relentless in hunting takedowns, but at some point that overhand right is going to land and change the course of the fight.
Bet on UFC odds online at BookMaker.eu
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today. UFC 235 takes place on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 9pm ET.
