Undefeated bantamweight Brett Johns (15-0, 2 KOs, 5 SUBs) will meet No. 8 Aljamain Sterling (14-3, 2 KOs, 6 SUBs) at UFC Fight Night 128 on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The card airs live on FS1 starting 10 p.m. ET. Bet on the latest UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and get the latest betting previews, predictions and picks now.
In a pairing of former regional bantamweight champions, former CFFC titleholder Aljamain Sterling will square off against former Cage Warriors and Titan FC champion Brett Johns on the main card of this Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 128 in Atlantic City.
Sterling has had an up-and-down career since entering the UFC. Largely expected to be a contender, the “Funk Master” is 5-3 inside the octagon, with losses to contenders in Bryan Caraway, Raphael Assuncao and Marlon Moraes. At 28, he’s still young enough to ultimately reach the lofty expectations set for him, but he’s got to start consistently beating upper echelon fighters.
Johns isn’t well known in casual circles, but he is a 15-0 with three wins inside the UFC. The Welshman is making a huge step up in competition against Sterling, and would jump into the top 10 should he stay undefeated.
It’s an interesting matchup between two talented fighters, setting up competitive odds in the sportsbook. Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your best betting options.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Brett Johns -125
Aljamain Sterling +105
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: -210 / +180
Striking Stats
Significant strikes landed per minute: Sterling 3.63 / Johns 3.48
Accuracy: Sterling 48.67% / Johns 54.92%
Significant strikes absorbed per minute: Sterling 1.38 / Johns 2.66
Defense: Sterling 68.38% / Johns 66.67%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Sterling 2.15 / Johns 6.89
Takedown accuracy: Sterling 41.03% / Johns 70%
Takedowns defended: Sterling 52.63% / Johns 100%
Submission average: Sterling 0.94 / Johns 0.98
Matchup Breakdown
Johns’ takedown numbers immediately jump off the page. Averaging nearly 7 takedowns per fight with 70% accuracy is an astounding number. Though he’s a black belt in judo, he looks much more like a brutal wrestler than a judo player like Ronda Rousey. He does all this without relying on blast doubles, instead using chain wrestling to tear out the base of his opponent.
His striking needs work, but he’s solid at using the threat of his takedowns to set up crafty punches. We have yet to really see how he will respond against a striker who shuts down his takedowns, and if he can win a fight with just his striking.
Sterling is coming off the wrong end of a Knockout of the Year candidate, getting melted by a Marlon Moraes. Fortunately, he doesn’t have to worry about a bone-crushing knockout here, and instead focus on stopping the Welshman’s takedowns.
Naturally a conservative fighter, Sterling is excellent in scrambles, and there will likely be plenty of them here. He is a good wrestler in his own right, and instinctually finds submissions. On the feet, Sterling is comfortable but unimpressive, lacking any sort of fluidity. It should be noted that his strikes absorbed is the lowest number in the division.
UFC Odds Pick: Johns to win at -125
This isn’t gonna be an easy fight, but Johns’ activity should make the difference. Sterling has issues pressing the action, and it cost him close fights with Bryan Caraway and Raphael Assuncao. The fact that he was able to hang with those top-tier guys is saying something, but the lack of urgency seems to be a pattern with the Funk Master. Even if he can stop Johns takedowns, Sterling doesn’t possess the striking acumen to overcome a more aggressive fighter.
Bet on UFC odds 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 on UFC Fight Night 128 takes place on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The card airs live on FS1 starting 10 p.m. ET.
