Alexander Volkanovski is favored against Brian Ortega at UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega on Saturday, September 25 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event is one of five fights on the main pay-per-view card. Volkanovski is 22-1 in his career, while Ortega is 15-1 in his career. There are a total of five fights on the main pay-per-view card at UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega. There are also a total of nine fights on the preliminary card with five on ESPN/ESPN+ and four on ESPN/ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. Let’s look at the bout between Volkanovski and Ortega and UFC predictions.
UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, September 25 with five fights on the main pay-per-view card and nine preliminary bouts with five on ESPN/ESPN+ and four on ESPN/ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega Betting
Alexander Volkanovski (22-1, 9-0 UFC)
Volkanovski came into the UFC with a record of 13-1 and he has nine wins and no losses in the UFC. He defeated Yusuke Kasuya by KO, Mizuto Hirota by unanimous decision, Shane Young by unanimous decision, Jeremy Kennedy by TKO, Darren Elkins by unanimous decision, Chad Mendes by TKO, José Aldo by unanimous decision and twice against Max Holloway once unanimous decision, and once by split decision. Volkanovski’s only loss in his career was against Corey Nelson by TKO on May 10, 2013. Volkanovski has been a pro since 2012 and he has 11 wins by TKO/KO and three by submission. He has seven first round finishes.
Volkanovski said this to mmajunkie.usatoday.com about his upcoming fight against Ortega, “I’ve always had a wild pace being a high-volume type of fighter and things like that. But right now it’s go out there and – he’s obviously proved that he has a great chin, and he’s hard to be finished, but I know I said this last fight, but I need to go out there, and I need to finish this fight. I want to go out there, and I want to put him away, and I want to put him away early. A lot of people think that can’t be done because he’s durable, but I definitely believe I can go out there and do that. That is my goal: going out there and finish. I won’t be happy unless I knock him out or even submit him or TKO or something like that. I’m going out there to do some damage and put on a show for everyone there.”
Brian Ortega (15-1, 7-1 UFC)
Ortega came into the UFC with a record of 8-0 and he has seven wins and one loss in the UFC. He defeated Thiago Tavares by TKO, Diego Brandão by triangle choke submission, Clay Guida by KO, Renato Moicano by guillotine choke submission, Cub Swanson by guillotine choke submission, Frankie Edgar by KO, and Chan Sung Jung by unanimous decision; while losing to Max Holloway by TKO. Ortega has been a pro since 2010 and he has three wins by TKO/KO and seven by submission. He has four first round finishes.
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Volkanovski 6.02 / Ortega 4.29
Striking Accuracy: Volkanovski 55% / Ortega 38%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Volkanovski 3.31 / Ortega 6.28
Defense: Volkanovski 60% / Ortega 52%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Volkanovski 2.09 / Ortega 0.80
Takedown Accuracy: Volkanovski 34% / Ortega 21%
Takedowns defended: Volkanovski 72% / Ortega 56%
Submission average: Volkanovski 0.3 / Ortega 1.1
UFC Picks
I have to say that I am a little surprised at the price on this fight, as I expected Volkanovski to be a bigger favorite. I know Ortega has looked good, but Volkanovski has been even better. I think this is simply a bad matchup for Ortega, as the fight is likely to stay standing. If Ortega could get this fight to the ground, then he might have a chance, but I don’t see that happening and we know that Volkanovski has the edge in striking. I think this fight will be controlled by Voakanovski and that he will get the win.
UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega Card & Odds
Featherweight - Brian Ortega +139 vs. Alexander Volkanovski -175
Women’s Flyweight - Lauren Murphy +779 vs. Valentina Shevchenko -1600
Heavyweight - Jairzinho Rozenstruik +251 vs. Curtis Blaydes -335
Welterweight - Nick Diaz -115 vs. Robbie Lawler -115
Women’s Flyweight - Cynthia Calvillo +228 vs. Jessica Andrade -300
Bantamweight - Merab Dvalishvili -260 vs. Marlon Moraes +201
Women’s Flyweight - Mayra Bueno Silva +194 vs. Manon Fiorot-250
Lightweight - Jalin Turner +105 vs. Uros Medic -135
Middleweight - Karl Roberson -110 vs. Nick Maximov -120
Heavyweight - Shamil Abdurakhimov +161 vs. Chris Daukaus -205
Lightweight - Nasrat Haqparast +120 vs. Dan Hooker -150
Women's Flyweight - Roxanne Modafferi +289 vs. Taila Santos -395
Welterweight - Martin Sano Jr. +331 vs. Matthew Semelsberger -465
Featherweight - Jonathan Pearce +131 vs. Omar Morales -165
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