UFC 246: Andre Fili vs. Sodiq Yusuff odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Andre Fili vs. Sodiq Yusuff bout at UFC 246, with MMA betting odds, picks and best bets.

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Andre Fili and Sodiq Yusuff will tangle in a preliminary bout at UFC 246 Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. (to watch, sign up for ESPN+ now).

Fili (19-6) enters this bout with a three-inch reach advantage against his opponent, but he is at a big disadvantage in terms of significant strikes landed per minute (6.61 for Yusuff to just 4.08 for Fili), and significant strike accuracy. He will want to get his Nigerian counterpart to the ground early and often. That used to be Fili’s game, as he has a 2.44 takedown average with a 46.0% takedown accuracy and 0.21 submission average. However, despite that good work on the ground, he hasn’t had a submission victory since stepping up to the UFC.

Yusuff (9-1) has three fights under his belt since signing with the UFC, picking up two KO/TKOs over Suman Mokhtarian and Gabriel Benitez, while also stopping Sheymon Moraes in a unanimous decision March 30, 2019. He is a hungry young fighter who will easily be facing the biggest test of his career. This one could be an absolute war. Look for Yusuff to come out swinging, literally, as he throws out a lot of strikes per minute, and usually lands them. He’ll want to avoid going to the ground, as that’s just not his cup of tea.


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Per BetMGM, Yusuff (-154) is a moderate favorite against Fili (+115). The oddsmakers also show a slight lean to the match not going the distance (three rounds), with odds there being set at -139 for No and +100 for Yes.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Yusuff to win returns $6.50 in profit. A $10 bet on Fili returns a profit of $11.50 with a victory.

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Yusuff will look to maintain his meteoric rise in the UFC, and he won’t be stopped in this one. I like Yusuff to win straight up on the 2-way line (-154), and I think he is going to get it done quickly. Look for a Yusuff win in Round 1 (+350). Pair that with a victory by Yusuff by KO/TKO or DQ (+150), and it could be a nice little payday if ‘Super’ is able to get it done and bring another victory with him back to western Africa.

If you want some action on this mixed martial arts bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Holly Holm vs. Raquel Pennington odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC 246 bantamweight bout between Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington, with UFC betting odds, picks and best bets.

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Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington will square off at UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., Saturday night in a woman’s bantamweight bout on the pay-per-view card.

Holm (12-5), a.k.a. The Farmer’s Daughter, is a southpaw with a 69-67.5-inch reach advantage. She might not go to the ground as often as her counterpart, but when she does, she is very effective in the ground and pound, posting a 31.58 takedown-accuracy percentage. Holm also has experience on her side, as she became champ when she stunned Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 on Nov. 14, 2015 to burst onto the scene. She has lost four straight title bouts since, but remains relevant and a problem for anyone in her way. A first-round knockout at the hands of Amanda Nunes for the title last July 6 at UFC 239 is certainly nothing to hang her head about.

Pennington (10-8) is rather accurate in the significant-strike department, so she has that going for her. And “Rocky” is coming off a decision win over Irene Aldana at UFC Fight Night last July 20, showing she is still a force to be reckoned with despite a rather unimpressive record overall. Like Holm, she has losses to Germaine de Randamie and Nunes in the past two years. These two also battled at UFC 184, with Holm coming away with a split-decision win on Feb. 28, 2015, so Pennington will have the revenge factor working for her.


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BetMGM is offering a special Bet $1, WIN $200 (in free bets) if McGregor wins in any manner vs. Cerrone January 18, 2020. Bet now at BetMGM!

Available to new customers in New Jersey; visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.


Per BetMGM, Holm (-143) is only a slight favorite in this one over Pennington (+110). The oddsmakers also show a heavy lean to the match going the distance (three rounds), with odds there being set at -455 for and the odds to not go a full three rounds at +320.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Holm to win returns $7 in profit. A $10 bet on Pennington at returns a profit of $11 with a victory.

Also See:

These two have a history, as mentioned, and they went the distance in that previous bout in 2015. You can expect a similar result, as Rocky likes to drag things out and let the judges decide her fate. Five of her past six bouts have gone to the card, and she has been on the successful end of four of those five fights. However, I like Holm’s kicking ability, and the southpaw will be able to keep Pennington at a distance, limiting the effectiveness of her strikes. The play here is Holm to win by decision/technical decision -106. The fight should also go the distance, but at -455, that’s just too expensive. You can also bet the total number of rounds (OVER 2.5, -556), but those odds are even worse! AVOID, and just bet the fight straight up.

If you want some action on this mixed martial arts bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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