Miss the ol’ ESPN Friday Night Fights and even though this isn’t boxing, it’s good to have some big fights to watch this Friday with UFC 207.
UFC 207 marks the return of the former featherweight champion Ronda Rousey. Rousey has not fought since her crushing loss to Holly Holm that was over 400 days ago. Rousey has created a silo around her, not talking to the media and the fight media more so. This has led to speculation that the loss still weighs heavy on her mind. With this, the odds have been affected for this fight.
Rousey opened up at -280 and Nunes +220 and money has poured in on Nunes which is now Nunes +100 and Rousey -130 over at Sportsinteraction.
Ronda Rousey -130 vs Amanda Nunes +100
Nunes has a 13-4 record (6-1 UFC) and is making her first defense of UFC bantamweight title she won from Miesha Tate at UFC 200. Miesha Tate isn’t great and was lucky to win the title off of Holm. Nunes has defeated a tough Valentin Shevchenko in a controversial decision. This will be Nunes toughest fight to date.
Ronda Rousey has a 12-1 record (6-1 UFC) and this is her first fight since losing title to Holly Holm in Nov. 2015.
Rousey’s eleven of 12 wins have been in the first round (five in UFC, tied for most in women’s bantamweight division history). Her loss to Holm is similar to Tyson losing to Buster Douglas or Lennox Lewis losing to Hasim Rahman.
The ring rust won’t be a factor. Rousey has overcome devastating loss (see Olympic Judo). What do great fighters do? Go back to what made them successful.
And what made Rousey successful? The armbar submission. As the odds go down on Rousey, value goes up on taking her. She’s only had one loss. Now she’s taken all the time to reset and focus on the fight and nothing else.
EE Prediction: Rousey -130 Rd 1 TKO by submission
TJ Dillashaw -235 vs. John Lineker +175
Lineker is going to want to brawl and if Dillashaw is willing to oblige, Lineker will get the victory. However, Dillashaw isn’t ranked #1 for nothing. He is the more tactical and Lineker takedown defence is lacking. In this fight, Dillashaw will expose him.
EE Prediction: TJ Dillashaw -235 and Over 2.5 Rounds -190
Dominic Cruz -250 vs Cody Garbrandt +185
Garbrandt is the most exciting fighter in bantamweight, but he is fighting the most underrated champion in the UFC. Cruz is just too smart. He’s faced heavy punchers before and Garbrandt will go down like the rest of them.