The UFC heads to London this weekend for the first time in three years with Britain’s own Tom Aspinall headlining the card as he looks to continue his Heavyweight surge.
This weekend the O2 Arena in London welcomes a range of English talent, most notably budding superstar Paddy Pimblett and Muhammad Mokaev. We take a look at my best UFC bets below.
UFC London Betting Tips
Alexander Volkov vs Tom Aspinall
The betting lines have swung since opening with Tom Aspinall now the favourite. My big concern for Aspinall coming into this clash is how his gas tank holds up over potentially five rounds. The Englishman has started his UFC career a perfect 4-0, finishing all inside two rounds.
His opponent Alexander Volkov is by far his biggest test to date and one who I favour to come out on top. Volkov has only lost three fights in the UFC Octagon and they all came against elite Heavyweights. He wasn’t able to deal with the speed and versatility of Cyril Gane, was put to sleep by Derrick Lewis in a fight he was clearly winning, and was outwrestled by Curtis Blaydes.
The Russian will be able to use his height and reach to stay at distance and pick the Englishman apart. Back Volkov to get the win and back him to secure a late finish over a tiring Aspinall for some extra value.
Value:
Volkov to win by KO/TKO in R3, 4 or 5 ($7.00)
Cody Durden vs Muhammad Mokaev
Oh how I have been waiting for Mokaev to make his UFC entrance. This is a man I have touted as a future top prospect for years and he is finally in the big time. Expect the hype to be real after this fight.
The 21-year-old Muhammad Mokaev has amassed a perfect 6-0 professional record to go with his 23-0 amateur record. He made his name largely under the Brave FC banner and despite the big step up in competition now, he is more than up for it.
His opponent Cody Durden is a decent wrestler but is nowhere near the caliber of fighter that Mokaev is. While I believe his strength and wrestling may give Mokaev trouble early, I expect ‘The Punisher’ to overwhelm him more and more as the fight progresses. A live play after round 1 on Mokaev at likely higher odds I also think is a good play. Regardless of price though I will bank on the young prospect to register an impressive win.
Jai Herbert vs Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria is now 11-0 and has won three straight in the UFC, all by brutal finishes. He was meant to make his fourth Octagon appearance back in January but botched his weight cut with the fight ultimately scrapped. He moves up to 155 pounds for this fight.
Jai Herbert bounced back from an 0-2 start to his UFC career last time out, flooring Khama Worthy in the first round. Logically he could just outmuscle an up a weight class Topuria but more likely than not Topuria dominates him from the first bell.
Topuria is too well rounded for Herbert and stylistically he can exploit his lacking ground game. Expect Topuria to repeatedly drag Herbert to the mat before he either wraps up his neck or beats him up on the mat for as long as Herbert hangs in.
