UFC 241: Heavyweight Showdown On Tap
- Daniel Cormier is the -140 favorite to retain the UFC heavyweight title
- The welterweight bout between Nate Diaz and Anthony Pettis is a pick ’em in the UFC odds. Both fighters are listed at odds of -115
- Yoel Romero is the -170 chalk to defeat Paulo Costa in their middleweight fight
A former Olympic wrestler, Daniel Cormier is not only the UFC heavyweight champion, he’s rated the No. 1 pound for pound fighter in the promotion.
Also the UFC light-heavywight champ from 2014-18, he’s one of four fighters to simultaneously hold titles in two weight classes in the history of the promotion, and the only fighter to succesfully defend titles in both weight classes.
Nate Diaz will make his UFC return three years to the day from his loss to Conor McGregor in a lightweight bout.
Diaz, 34, says he’s done with fighting at 155 pounds, so any thought of a potential showdown between him and current lightweight world champ Khabib Nurmagomedov can be shelved.
Like Cormier, Yoel Romero was an Olympic wrestler. He won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Games and was also a world champion. He’s currently the No. 2-ranked middleweight in the UFC odds.
But he’s lost two of his last three bouts, both against Robert Whittaker.
Let’s break down all of the UFC 241 picks, based on odds provided by Bovada.
Learn how to bet on UFC fights.
- 1Daniel Cormer (-140) vs Stipe Miocic (+110)
- 2Anthony Pettis (-115) vs Nate Diaz (-115)
- 3Yoel Romero (-170) vs Paulo Costa (+140)
- 4UFC 241 Undercard Picks
Daniel Cormer (-140) vs Stipe Miocic (+110)
Cormier (22-1) will seek to hand Miocic (18-3) the first back-to-back losses of his MMA career. Cormier scored a first-round knockout when he took the heavyweight title from Miocic. Cormier’s only career setback was a loss by decision to light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Miocic, 36, was the first fighter to ever successfully defend the UFC heavyweight belt in three successive bouts. He may have met his match in the stocky and strong Cormier. The UFC Vegas odds say that the former Olympic wrestler’s combination of punching power and grappling acumen will carry the day.
Anthony Pettis (-115) vs Nate Diaz (-115)
Diaz looks to be shredded as he readies for his return to the octagon. Diaz (19-11) hasn’t fought since he split a pair of bouts with Conor McGregor, winning the first and losing the second one.
He’s turned in some of the most memorable fights in UFC history but how will ring rust impact his UFC 241 odds?
A former UFC lightweight champion, Pettis (22-8) is just a middling 4-3 in his last seven bouts.
Still, he’s currently the 11th-ranked welterweight in the world. Remember, not only is Diaz returning to the octagon for the first time in three years, he’s stepping up in weight class.
Yoel Romero (-170) vs Paulo Costa (+140)
This bout has the potential to land fight of the night recognition. These two were originally supposed to clash in November 2018 but an injury to Costa scuttled the tilt.
Both are athletic, powerful men who strike with brutal force.
According to the report, Yoel Romero will take on Paulo Costa at UFC Fight Night Miami on April 27.
— MMA Feed (@MMAFeed1) January 22, 2019
⚫️Who do you think will emerge victorious when Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa throw down in Miami on April 27? pic.twitter.com/65S8fc0yhL
Costa is 12-0 and not one of his fights has gone the distance.
Of Romero’s 13 wins, 11 ended via stoppage.
The odds of this one going the distance are slimmer than Gwyneth Paltrow. Look for it to be a slugfest of epic proportions, with Romero’s experience giving him a slight edge in the UFC 241 odds.
UFC 241 Undercard Picks
Cory Sandhagen (-175) vs Rafael Assuncao (+145)
Sandhagen (11-1) has won six in a row and has recorded seven of his 11 victories via knockout or submission.
Drakkar Klose (-185) vs Christos Giagos (+150)
Klose counts in the UFC odds. He’s 12-1-1.
Hannah Cifers (-260) vs Jodie Esquibel (+200)
This should be a mismatch. Cifers is 10-3, while Esquibel barely has her head above .500 (6-5).
Ready to put on a show 👊🏽 @ufc #UFC241 #UFCANAHEIM pic.twitter.com/9pesZ8UeCZ
— Hannah Cifers (@HannahCifersMMA) August 4, 2019
Ian Heinisch (-185) vs. Derek Brunson (+150)
Heinisch (13-1) learned MMA while doing prison time on drug trafficking convictions. Veteran Brunson (19-7) has lost two of his last three bouts but has fought stiffer competition.
Kyung Ho Kang (-190) vs. Brandon Davis (+155)
Kang is No. 41 in the worldwide welterweight MMA rankings. Davis sits at No. 82.
Sodiq Yusuff (-380) vs Gabriel Benitez (+290)
Benitez (21-6) seeks to usurp the UFC Vegas odds in pursuit of his first-ever three-bout winning streak against Yusuff (9-1).
Manny Bermudez (-155) vs Casey Kenney (+125)
Among the UFC 241 picks, this might be the toughest. Bermudez (14-0) has never lost. Kenney (12-1-1) shows one defeat.
Sabino Mazo (-105) vs. Shana Dobson (-125)
Another tough call in the UFC odds. Colombian Mazo is 6-1. American Dobson is 3-2.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
