Lightweight contenders Edson Barboza (20-6, 12 KOs, 1 SUB) and Justin Gaethje (19-2, 16 KOs, 1 SUB) will meet at UFC on ESPN 2 on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
When it comes to putting on Fight of the Year contenders, there aren’t many fighters who are as capable as Edson Barboza and Justin Gaethje. In the Brazilian, you have one of the most explosive lightweights in the division, a man with multiple Knockout of the Year entries, an all-time highlight in his spinning wheel kick that instantly stiffened Terry Etim and a threat to end the fight at any time.
Justin Gaethje is a zombie that puts opponents through the woodchipper. With no regard for his own preservation, “The Highlight” marches forward, absorbing punishment like a sponge and dishing out violence with equal aplomb. He lives by the kill or be killed mantra, and his fights are must-see TV - especially since somebody so reckless doesn’t have much time at the top his game.
This Saturday, they’re fighting each other in the main event of the UFC’s second event on ESPN proper. There is absolutely no way this fight disappoints in terms of action - these guys aren’t wired to play it safe, nor do they have any desire to lay and pray. Thighs will be sliced, chins will be cracked, a sword day, a red day, ‘ere the sun rises.
Sorry, it’s hard not to get carried away, but 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
Justin Gaethje +110
Edson Barboza -140
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: +380 / -570
Significant Striking Stats
Landed per minute: Barboza 3.99 / Gaethje 8.53
Accuracy: Barboza 42% / Gaethje 54%
Absorbed per minute: Barboza 4.14 / Gaethje 10.54
Defense: Barboza 60% / Gaethje 53%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Barboza 0.46 / Gaethje 0
Takedown accuracy: Barboza 46% / Gaethe 0%
Takedown defense: Barboza 80% / Gaethje 80%
Submission average: Barboza 0.1 / Gaethje 0.0
Bet this fight at BookMaker.eu
The Fightmetric stats count from Gaethje’s four UFC fights, and it’s like he’s breaking the system. Over eight strikes landed and 10 absorbed per minute? That’s absolutely ridiculous - and the perfect example of how the 30-year old fights. There simply isn’t anybody as relentless as Gaethje, for better or worse.
Oddsmakers have installed Barboza as a modest favorite, and we agree with the competitive online price. On paper, Barboza’s speed and power should be lethal against a guy whose moda of defense is to eat punches. But we’ve also seen Barboza crumble against hyper-aggressive fighters before: the most memorable instance being against Tony Ferguson.
Therein lies the risk. Barboza has a tendency to wilt against guys who get in his face and won’t go away. At the same time, he’s usually able to stop opponents before it even gets to that point. Gaethje’s chin has already failed him twice inside the octagon (after signing with the UFC with an undefeated 15-0 record), and we don’t really know how much three all-out wars with Michael Johnson, Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier took out of him.
UFC Odds Pick: Barboza to win at -140
We like the price on Barboza here: Gaethje has never faced anyone as explosive as the Brazilian, and we seriously doubt that anyone with a total disregard for striking defense (like Gaethje) can seriously last. Though Barboza tends to fade under constant pressure, Gaethje’s refusal to use his wrestling increases the chances that Edson lands a fight-ending shot inside the 25-minute frame.
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 Fight Night 148 takes place on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The card airs live starting 5pm PDT.
