Two exciting title fights headline the Octagon’s return to pay-per-view this weekend as Alexander Volkanovski and Aljamain Sterling attempt to defend their championship status against hungry contenders Chan Sung Jung and Petr Yan.
Out of the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida there are plenty of fights not to be missed including Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns and Mackenzie Dern and Tecia Torres. We take a look at the two title fights and one on the prelims in this week’s UFC preview.
UFC 273 Betting Tips
Alexander Volkanovski vs Chan Sung Jung
Initially, the UFC featherweight title bout on this card would’ve seen champion Alexander Volkanovski face off with old foe Max Holloway for a third time but ‘Blessed’ had to pull out through injury presenting a somewhat unexpected opportunity to Chan Sung Jung.
In his last title defense, Alexander Volkanovski dismantled Brian Ortega, apart from one very close moment, showcasing why he is the top dog of the division. His opponent ‘The Korean Zombie’ is a UFC veteran and is always an exciting fight. However, don’t let those pundits who like Jung’s fight style sway you, he has very little chance of beating the Australian. Jung was completely torn apart by Brian Ortega on the feet before he was subsequently picked to shreds by Volkanovski.
‘The Korean Zombie’ is insanely tough and durable but despite that I see him being dominated from start to finish and likely finished. He needs his opponents to meet him in the middle and trade or overwhelm them with volume, something which seems near impossible against the technical ability and endurance of Volkanovski.
I see this division as Volkanovski’s for quite some time and Jung is nowhere near the quality to potentially dethrone him. I will be having a fairly substantial bet on the Aussie to win with a little dabble on him to stop Jung by knockout.
Value:
Volkanovski by KO/TKO ($3.80 at Pointsbet)
Aljamain Sterling vs Petr Yan
After winning the title in the strangest of fashions Aljamain Sterling’s rematch against Petr Yan has been a long time coming.
Since that fight, Sterling has had surgery and Yan has won another fight. Now I must admit, I would lean to Petr Yan winning this fight as Sterling showed he struggled to get the Russian to the mat but the odds on offer for Sterling are ludicrous.
Sterling looked great against Yan early before running out of gas and although he was unable to repeatedly get Yan to the ground it was far from a one-sided fight.
Yan should be the favourite here but this will be close. Sterling showed early he could get Yan down and he has now had over a year to refine his skills and refocus. He looks eager and hungry and at $5 I would be making this bet every time without hesitation. I also like the odds around a round 1 submission for Sterling as if he gets him down while they are dry, I like his chances of wrapping up Yan’s neck.
Value:
Sterling to win by submission ($23 at Sportsbet)
Piera Rodriguez vs Kay Hansen
Welcome to more ridiculous odds. Kay Hansen is one of the most elite submission artists in the UFC women’s division yet comes into this fight the underdog. Yes she has dropped her last two fights and her move up to Flyweight failed but I have Hansen winning this by submission quite comfortably/
Piera Rodriguez is a perfect 7-0, earning a contract on the Contender Series out-wrestling Valesca Machado. This will be her UFC debut.
While Hansen’s record may not look all that impressive, at just 22-years old her best years are to come. Hansen will also have a much easier time getting Rodriguez to the mat and when she does, she will wrap up Rodriguez’ arm or neck in next to no time and secure a submission win.
Hansen win by submission
$3.75
