MMA betting and the UFC, the leading promotion in the sport, are usually closely linked. Nevertheless, this weekend presents a fantastic opportunity to try out some Bellator betting.
Saturday night is when the leading domestic MMA promotions clash, vying for the attention of television viewers.
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 28, Uriah Hall (17-9) and Sean Strickland (23-3) will face off in Las Vegas. While it may not be the most commercially appealing matchup, it promises to be a compelling showdown.
If you had to choose only one fight to watch this weekend, Bellator 263 on Showtime would be the perfect option for you.
In Inglewood, California, the stakes are high as featherweight champion Patricio Freire (32-4) faces off against undefeated challenger AJ McKee (17-0), with a whopping $1 million on the line.
Bellator betting: Pitbull vs. McKee
MMA’s top talent is predominantly under the control of the UFC, but Bellator also boasts a considerable number of highly ranked fighters. For instance, Freire (No. 3) and McKee (No. 6) are recognized alongside the elite fighters of the UFC in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings.
In the world of MMA, events unfold at a leisurely pace, with fighters fortunate to participate in only 2-3 matches annually. Remarkably, Bellator had disclosed the lineup for this 16-man tournament field over two years ago, emphasizing the lengthy timeline involved in such endeavors.
Over the past few years, the grand prix bouts were interspersed among other Bellator fights. As the Bellator schedule unfolded, the initial field of 16 tournament participants gradually dwindled down to only two.
With his impressive performance, Pitbull, a 34-year-old Brazilian, secured his spot in the finale. As the current 145-pound champion, he skillfully advanced in the tournament, successfully defending his belt on three separate occasions. Notably, he achieved victories over Juan Archuleta through a unanimous decision, Pedro Carvalho via knockout, and Emmanuel Sanchez by submission.
In the meantime, McKee, the 26-year-old son of MMA pioneer Antonio McKee, effortlessly dominated the tournament. He achieved victory by defeating Georgi Karakhanyan with an impressive eight-second knockout, overpowering Derek Campos with a submission, and showcasing his skills with a Submission of the Year against Darrion Caldwell.
It comes as no surprise that the oddsmakers at Virginia sportsbooks are divided on this game, as it is quite evenly matched. As of Thursday, BetMGM had Pitbull slightly favored with odds of -105.
At William Hill, McKee’s odds were +105, offering the opportunity to win more than the amount wagered.
For the five-round fight, DraftKings online sportsbook set the total at 3.5 rounds. The odds for over 3.5 rounds were -106, while the odds for under 3.5 rounds were -125.
What to expect with the perfect Bellator finale
Upon the initial announcement of the featherweight grand prix participants by Bellator officials, it became evident that a potential showdown between Pitbull and McKee was a possibility, evident from a mere glance at the brackets.
Nevertheless, in the unpredictable realm of MMA tournaments, rarely do things unfold as intended. It is a consistent occurrence that if something has the potential to go awry, it inevitably will.
However, this time, the situation was different and nearly flawless as the two top tournament fighters skillfully cleared their way towards each other. Consequently, this has resulted in one of the most monumental battles ever witnessed in Bellator. The victor will be awarded a whopping $1 million check.
When placing your bet on this fight, would you lean towards the advantage of age and experience represented by Pitbull? Or would you prefer the youthful vigor and versatile athleticism of McKee?
To numerous predictors, it is a situation with equal chances. If there is a worthwhile value in the current lines, it is not clearly evident.
However, there is one betting option that has attracted considerable attention, which comes from William Hill. The VA sportsbook is offering a proposition bet for the fight: Will Pitbull vs. McKee last the entire duration? The odds for this bet are:
- No: -200
- Yes: +150
The headliners of Bellator 263 have a total of 49 career victories, out of which 35 were stoppages. Among these stoppages, there were 17 knockouts and 18 submissions. Additionally, due to the extended five rounds instead of the usual three, these two featherweights will have plenty of time to showcase their skills on Saturday.
Despite the unprofitable -200 odds (requiring a $20 bet to yield a $10 profit), the “No” bet remains popular among MMA betting enthusiasts.
Hall vs. Strickland headlines UFC
Apart from the main event, the remaining fights on the Bellator 263 fight card are quite typical. While Bellator events often showcase imbalanced matchups, this Saturday’s card presents several evenly contested bouts. Among them is the featherweight co-main event featuring Mads Burnell (15-3) against Emmanuel Sanchez (20-5).
Burnell has a betting odds of -125 at BetMGM, while Sanchez has odds of +105.
Nevertheless, if you are still devoted to keeping up with the UFC this weekend, there are several captivating fights lined up on the UFC on ESPN 28 fight card. One of the highlights is the main event featuring Sean Strickland (-225) against Uriah Hall (+180).
Both fighters have been victorious in their last four matches, although the majority of betting money has been placed on Strickland.
Bantamweight fighters Kyung Ho Kang (17-8) and Rani Yahya (27-10-1) will face off in the co-headliner of Saturday’s UFC event. Kang is considered the favorite with odds of -135, while Yahya is the underdog with odds of +110.
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