Featherweight champion Max Holloway (20-3, 10 KOs, 2 SUBs) will rematch Dustin Poirier (24-5, 12 KOs, 7 SUBs) for the interim lightweight title at UFC 236 on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10pm ET.
It wasn’t the superfight that MMA fans were asking for, but the matchup between featherweight champion Max Holloway and lightweight contender Dustin Poirier should be one of the best fights of the year regardless of the circumstances.
With Khabib Nurmagomedov sitting out a lengthy suspension for flying off the handle, it makes some sense for the UFC to install an interim title. The contest keeps Poirier happy, as he was so frustrated with the lack of divisional clarity that he publicly requested a release. It also serves as a possible showcase for Holloway, who could become a double champ and set up a possible megascrap with Nurmagomedov or McGregor in the near future.
From a purely stylistic standpoint, it’s hard to think of a more fun fight. Poirier has numerous Fight of the Night bonuses, and owns a Fight of the Year for his thriller with the Korean Zombie. Holloway is an avalanche of violence, with a style built to overwhelm his opponents with endless cardio and striking volume. It’s like they’re allergic to boring fights.
With a matchup that has “instant classic” written all over it, there should be a ton of action in the online sportsbook. Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your best online betting options. Live UFC betting is also available between rounds during the fight, just in case you want to hedge any of your previous plays.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Dustin Poirier +175
Max Holloway -225
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: -150 / +120
Significant Striking Stats
Landed per minute: Holloway 6.9 / Poirier 5.59
Accuracy: Holloway 46% / Poirier 49%
Absorbed per minute: Holloway 4.03 / Poirier 3.69
Defense: Holloway 64% / Poirier 56%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Holloway 0.32 / Poirier 1.75
Takedown accuracy: Holloway 83% / Poirier 41%
Takedown defense: Holloway 83% / Poirier 69%
Submission average: Holloway 0.45 / Poirier 1.32
Bet this UFC fight at BookMaker.eu now
We can pretty much toss out the first result between these two - where Poirier won by submission. That was back in 2012, and it happened to be a 19-year old Holloway’s first UFC fight - and fifth pro MMA contest. Poirier will be the first to tell you that the victory is meaningless in today’s context. Size shouldn’t be a factor here either; both guys have fought at featherweight, and it’s arguable that lightweight should be where Holloway belongs.
Both men enter the cage armed to the teeth. Holloway’s cardio is among the best in the business, and you can assume that it’ll only improve without having to undergo the cut to featherweight. Like Tony Ferguson, the Diaz bros and a prime Cain Velasquez, Holloway has weaponized his cardio, using his lungs to power a never-ending striking assault that’s backed with an iron chin.
Poirier can do it all, with high level skills in every phase. We’ve seen him submit high-level grapplers and outbrawl the best sluggers. The problem with Poirier is that he always seems to get into a war, and seems to get blasted at least once a fight. Luckily, the 30-year old’s can take a lot of damage and recovers quickly. His war against Justin Gaethje was basically trench warfare, where both guys shelled each other with heavy artillery.
UFC Odds Pick: Holloway to win at -225
While we like the odds you can get on Poirier, Holloway’s masterclass performance against Brian Ortega depicts an elite fighter that is peaking. The Diamond’s run at lightweight has been excellent, but Blessed has looked invincible during a 13-fight winning streak. We’ve got to run with the featherweight champ here. We’d also take a long look at the fight doesn’t go to decision prop, as their aggression should lead to an early finish.
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 236 takes place on on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10pm ET.
