Tag: pay-per-view

Bellator 238: Julia Budd vs. Cris Cyborg odds, picks and best bets

Julia Budd vs. Cris Cyborg, the heavy favorite, meet at Bellator 238. Will Budd be able to pull an upset win Saturday?

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Julia Budd and Cris Cyborg hit the octagon in the main event at Bellator 238 at The Forum in Ingelwood, Calif. Saturday live on DAZN, with the main card starting at 10:00 p.m. ET. To watch the whole card, subscribe to DAZN now.

Budd (13-2-0) is in the unenviable position of facing Cyborg in her highly-anticipated Bellator debut, and she’ll enter as a distinct underdog. The Canadian looks to keep her strap, as she is the current featherweight champion in Bellator. Budd is not going to be a pushover, either, as she comes in on an 11-bout winning streak, although Cyborg easily represents her biggest challenge to date. She hasn’t experiences losses since losing to UFC stars Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes, both back in 2011.

Budd will be trying to get Cyborg to the mat early and often, which might be here only opportunity at an upset win.

Want some action on this battle? Place a legal sports bet at BetMGM now!

Cyborg (21-2-0), a.k.a Cristiane Justino, has held titles in the UFC, Invicta and Strikeforce, and now she looks to win a fourth championship in a different promotion. She suffered a disappointing loss against Nunes in the first round back in Dec. 2018, before topping Felicia Spencer back in July in her final event in the UFC.

Cyborg will be looking to go toe-to-toe with Budd, looking to avoid the ground-and-pound game of Budd, which is where she actually stands (or lays) a chance. The good news for Cyborg is that her fight against Spencer might have prepared her well for Budd, as they have similar grappling styles. Cyborg will be looking for the knockout, and she just might get it if she isn’t tired out from being tied up on the mat or against the fence.

Per BetMGM, Cyborg (-455) is giant favorite versus Budd (+300) on the 2-way line. It’s a bad idea to lay more than four and a half times your potential return, so you’re probably going to want to cross-bet in a two- or three-fight parlay to win any semblance of money.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Cyborg to win returns $2.20 in profit. A $10 bet on Budd, the underdog, returns a profit of $40 with a victory.

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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UFC on ESPN+ 24: Curtis Blaydes vs. Junior Dos Santos odds, picks and best bets

Curtis Blaydes and Junior Dos Santos battle during UFC on ESPN+ 24; we look at the fight odds and betting predictions around the matchup.

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Curtis Blaydes and Junior Dos Santos will square off on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 24 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Saturday evening. To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Blaydes (12-2-0) heads into this one on a two-bout win streak, rebounding nicely after his victory Francis Ngannou at UFC Fight Night on Nov. 24, 2018. He rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Justin Willis, and a second-round TKO of Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC 242.

He’ll be working to get JDS on the ground, as he owns a 7.05 takedown average and a 60.0 percent takedown accuracy mark. However, if this fight is more upright, he has the ability to go toe-to-toe and hold his own. He has a strong 51.68 significant strike accuracy percentage, while racking up 3.69 significant strikes per minute.

Dos Santos (21-6-0), like Blaydes, has a recent loss in Ngannou. In fact, JDS lost to Ngannou last time out, June 29 at UFC Fight Night, getting knocked out in Round 1 in just 71 seconds. Even though he is 6-5 across his past 11 bouts, he has losses to Ngannou, Stipe Miocic in a title bout, Cain Velasquez in a pair of title bouts and a knockout at the hands of Alistair Overeem. That’s nothing to be ashamed about, as that’s a who’s who of the weight class, and he did briefly hold the title when he beat Velasquez in the first of their trilogy back on Nov. 12, 2011.

Want some action on Blaydes vs. Dos Santos or other MMA fights this weekend? Place your legal sports bets at BetMGM now!

Per BetMGM, Blaydes (-250) is a rather heavy favorite over the aging Dos Santos (+180) on the 2-way line. Blaydes, 28, is on an upward trajectory, but Dos Santos has never lost back-to-back bouts in his professional career. The Brazilian veteran is a great value at this price level.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Dos Santos, the underdog, to win returns $18 in profit. A $10 bet on Blaydes returns a profit of $4 with a victory.

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.

Also see:

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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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.

SPECIAL BET LINE: McGregor vs. Cerrone

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, 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.

Also See:

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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UFC 246: Aleksei Oleinik vs. Maurice Greene odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC 246 lightweight bout between Aleksei Oleinik and Maurice Greene, with UFC betting odds, picks and best bets.

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Aleksei Oleinik and Maurice Greene will battle at UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday night in a heavyweight bout on the pay-per-view card (To watch, sign up for ESPN+ now).

Oleinik (57-13-1) is battle tested with a lengthy history in mixed martial arts. He is 42 years old after all. Since joining the UFC June 28, 2014, he has fought some of the best in his division with mixed results. He owns wins over Anthony Hamilton, Mark Hunt and Jared Rosholt, while suffering losses to Curtis Blaydes, Walt Harris and Alistair Overeem. Oleinik’s last two bouts have ended up knockouts, including just 12 seconds against Harris at UFC Fight Night July 20. He is nicknamed ‘The Boa Constrictor’ – he wants to get fighters on the ground and win by submission. Five of his six wins in UFC have been by submission, and that’s how he has made a name for himself over the years.

Greene (8-4) heads into this one with a five-inch height advantage, a slight reach advantage and he lands many more significant strikes per minute. He’ll be trying to blast Oleinik and knock him out early, looking to avoid tiring out and becoming susceptible to the takedown and the alligator-jaw like legs of Oleinik. Greene isn’t much for the ground and pound, and he has just a 0.65 submission average and no takedown average or takedown accuracy to speak of. He’ll need to do whatever he can to avoid going to the mat, or Moe Greene will be out of the Tropicana … err, T-Mobile Arena. That’s for you, Irwin Fletcher!

SPECIAL BET LINE: McGregor vs. Cerrone

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, Greene (-134) is considered the favorite by an ever so slight margin over Oleinik (+100). The oddsmakers also show a heavy lean to the match not going the distance (three rounds), with odds there being set at -715 for no, while odds to go a full three rounds is at +400.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Greene is even money, returning a $10 profit if he wins. A $10 bet on Oleinik to win returns a profit of $7.46 with a victory.

Also See:

With the distance wager odds, you can tell Vegas fully expects that the judges will not be involved. This one is either ending in a knockout by Greene, or a submission win by Oleinik. But that’s where it gets tricky, and when will the victory occur? I like Greene to punch himself out early, trying to tire the 42-year-old Russian with an early flurry. If Oleinik can withstand those early blows, it will be good news for his backers. OLEINIK to win by SUBMISSION (+170) is a tremendous value, while Greene to win by KO/TKO or DQ is (+100) even money. My suggestion is taking the better value, going with Oleinik to win by submission, and taking him to win in ROUND 2 (+500), which will make for a tidy little payday. If Greene wins, it is going to be by punches and in Round 1, paying (+210). I can see either scenario, but for my money, I like OLEINIK to snap his two-bout skid and get a win.

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.

SPECIAL BET LINE: McGregor vs. Cerrone

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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Claudia Gadelha vs. Alexa Grasso odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC 246 strawweight bout between Claudia Gadelha and Alexa Grasso, with UFC betting odds, picks and best bets.

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Claudia Gadelha and Alexa Grasso will tangle at UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., in a woman’s strawweight bout on the pay-per-view card Saturday night.

Gadelha (17-4) is one inch shorter than her counterpart and is outreached by 2.5 inches, 66-63.5. However, none of that will matter if she is able to get Grasso to the ground. That’s Gadelha’s game, as ‘Claudinha’ is a master of jiu-jitsu and dominates with a 42.19-percent significant strike accuracy, while also rolling up an amazing 47.14-percent takedown accuracy. Since here title-bout loss to Joanna Jedrzejczyk at the TUF 23 finale, she is 4-2. She recorded a first-round submission against Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 212, and even when she isn’t able to finish, her tremendous takedown ability seems to wow the judges and get her style points which help during decisions.

SPECIAL BET LINE: McGregor vs. Cerrone

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.

Grasso (11-3) is a striker who is still trying to find her sea legs since moving to the UFC. She debuted with a win over Heather Clark at UFC Fight Night on Nov. 5, 2016, before a loss to Felice Herrig Feb. 4, 2017. A win over Randa Markos had her back on track, but a submission loss to Tatiana Suarez was a stunner at UFC Fight Night on May 19, 2018, and should serve as a cautionary tale here. She beat Kowalkiewicz, a common opponent for the two in this bout, before losing last time out to Carla Esparza at UFC Fight Night on Sept. 21, 2019.

Per BetMGM, Gadelha (-121) is the slight favorite in this one over Grasso (-110). The oddsmakers also show a heavy lean to the match going the distance (three rounds), with odds there being set at -304 for – and the odds to not go a full three rounds at +225.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Gadelha to win returns $8.30 in profit. A bet on Grasso at -110 returns a profit of $9.10 with a victory.

Also See:

The difference in my eyes here is Gadelha’s outstanding takedown ability, and her potential to finish on the ground. That recent submission loss by Grasso sticks out like a sore thumb, too. Taking a flier on Gadelha to win by submission (+550) looks awfully tasty, and is at the very least worth a small-unit bet. Pair that with a 2-way win by Gadelha (-121), with the fight not going three full rounds for a nice payday at (+225), and this fight could be quite lucrative.

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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UFC 246: Anthony Pettis vs. Diego Ferreira odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC 246 lightweight bout between Anthony Pettis and Diego Ferreira, with UFC betting odds, picks and best bets.

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Anthony Pettis and Diego Ferreira will go toe-to-toe at UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Saturday in a lightweight bout on the pay-per-view card. We break down the Pettis-Ferreira betting odds and lines, with UFC betting picks, tips and best bets for UFC 246.

Pettis (22-9) is looking to bounce back after a unanimous decision loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 241 Aug. 17, and he has alternated wins and losses in each of his past nine bouts. Since successfully defending the lightweight strap against Gilbert Melendez at UFC 181 Dec. 6, 2014, he has been in a freefall down the ranking, going just 4-7. However, he does have wins over Charles Oliveira, Jim Miller, Micheal Chiesa and Stephen Thompson along the way, with the Thompson victory coming March 23 of last year in a knockout, so he is still very dangerous.

Ferreira (16-2) easily has the better record of the two fighters, and is on a different trajectory. He also has a 74-72.5″ reach advantage, and he hasn’t tasted defeat since back-to-back losses to Beneil Dariush at UFC 179 and a knockout at the hands of Dustin Poirier in the first round of UFC Fight Night April 4, 2015. His past two wins are by unanimous decision over Rustam Khabilov and Mairbek Taisumov.

SPECIAL BET LINE: McGregor vs. Cerrone

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, Ferreira (-250) is a moderate favorite over Pettis (+180). The oddsmakers also lean to the match going the distance (three rounds), with odds there being set at -150 for – and the odds to not go a full three rounds at +115.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Ferreira to win returns $4 in profit. A bet on Pettis at +180 returns a profit of $18 with a victory.

Also See:

Pettis is still very dangerous, but he hasn’t been able to show much consistency lately, while Ferriera is younger, quicker and a lot better in the significant strike department. As long as Ferreira doesn’t let his guard down and plays solid defense, negating a huge punch and kill shot, he should be able to grind out a unanimous decision. The play here is Ferrerira to win by decision/technical decision (+115), with the fight going a full three rounds (-150).

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.

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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UFC 246: Conor McGregor vs. Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC 246 main event between Conor McGregor and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, with UFC betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Conor McGregor and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone will lock horns at UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Saturday. The welterweight bout is the main event on the pay-per-view card. Below, we breakdown the McGregor-Cerrone fight, with UFC 246 betting odds and picks.

‘The Notorious’ is back, and he’ll have a formidable opponent with the veteran ‘Cowboy’. Still, while McGregor (21-4) is sure to be a huge draw, and the pay-per-view returns will be rather substantial, he isn’t the fighter he once was. However, he is the closest thing to Mike Tyson this sport has ever had, and people will tune in to see him, even if he is heading into the back nine of his career.

Cerrone (36-13) is a warrior. He has had his fair share of losses, but just when folks are about to write him off, he steps up his game and shows why he is one of the most decorated and respected fighters to ever grace the octagon. He looked tremendous in a five-round bout against Al Iaquinta in the main event of UFC Fight Night back on May 4, 2019, winning in a unanimous decision, but he lost by TKO – Doctor’s Stoppage against Tony Ferguson in the follow-up at UFC 238, and he was knocked out by Justin Gaethje at UFC Fight Night Sept. 14. He’s loaded with experience, but there’s a lot of mileage on the odometer, too.

SPECIAL BET LINE: McGregor vs. Cerrone

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, McGregor (-358) is an overwhelming favorite over Cerrone (+250). The oddsmakers also lean to the match not going the distance (five rounds), with odds there being set at a whopping -589 for No – and the odds to go a full five rounds at Yes +400.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Cerrone to pull the upset returns $25 in profit. A bet on McGregor at -358 returns a profit of $2.80 with a victory.

Also See:

McGregor is still a show stopper, and he is catching Cerrone at a good time, on a two-bout slide. The Notorious is still the dominant striker of the two, and while Cerrone showed improvement in the defense department in his UD win against Iaquinta, he is sure to be knocked off his game by the colorful McGregor. The latter is dominant in takedown defense, striking and just overall showmanship. I absolutely LOVE the odds of a McGregor win in Round 3 at +1000. If you can multiply your stake by 10 times with a third-round win, that turns even a small-unit bet into a nice bankroll. McGregor should win by KO/TKO or DQ (-209), so that’s not a bad little parlay.

If you want some action on UFC 246, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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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Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. heavyweight boxing matchup, with boxing betting odds, picks and best bets

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Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. will go toe-to-toe for the world WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight championship titles in a rematch of last summer’s stunner at New York’s Madison Square Garden. This time the two will duel in a 15,000-seat open-air stadium in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, dubbed “Clash on the Dunes.” The fight is Saturday with the main event expected to start around 3:45 p.m. ET. This one comes at you via live stream on DAZN.

Joshua vs. Ruiz Jr.: What you need to know

Joshua (22-1-0, 21 KOs) is back in the ring looking for revenge after his shocking seventh-round loss at Ruiz Jr. (33-1-0, 22 KOs) in June.

Joshua was heavily favored in the first bout, but he was unable to make it through seven rounds. Ruiz Jr. pulled off an upset of historic proportions, similar to Buster Douglas stunning Mike Tyson, Hasim Rahman taking down Lennox Lewis, and Corrie Sanders upending Wladimir Klitschko.

Ruiz Jr. beat Joshua with speed, hurting him early and going in for the kill after some tentativeness and a lack of recovery on the Briton’s part. Joshua was wounded early in the fight, and he seemed to get rattled early due to Ruiz’s lightning speed and the fact he was hurt and unable to recover.

Ruiz might not be an Adonis as far as his physical attributes, and some might expect his cardio not to be up to snuff, but once he gets into the ring he’s all business — and every bit physically fit. In fact, his outstanding speed is a bit surprising considering he appears to be out of shape at first glance.

Special New Jersey BetMGM Joshua vs. Ruiz 2 Prop Bet

Bet $1, WIN $100 in free bets if either Anthony Joshua or Andy Ruiz Jr. get knocked down during their fight Saturday, December 7, 2019. Bet Now!
New customer offer, visit BetMGM for terms and conditions

Joshua vs. Ruiz Jr. odds, picks, tips and best bets

Per BetMGM, Joshua (-250) is a moderate favorite to return the favor against Ruiz Jr. (+188) on the 3-way betting line, with a draw (+3300) also a choice. You might want to avoid that, however, as it is extremely unlikely.

This has trilogy written all over it, and there are already some rumblings from the Ruiz camp that if Joshua scores the win, they would want a Joshua-Ruiz Jr. III bout. Expect that to happen.

Joshua is likely going to be a little more measured and less reckless than the first fight, and you can bet he spent a lot of time on his defense. That might help the fight go a little deeper, although he will still be champing at the bit looking to repay Ruiz for the embarrassing defeat in June, too.

Joshua (+350) at full distance might not be a terrible play, but a wager on Joshua winning in Rounds 7-12 (+250) is a much better bet, and gives you more opportunity. He’ll get the knockout, and his belts back, and you can expect we’ll get a third installment of this series, too.

If you like Joshua for the KO/TKO/technical decision or DQ victory, BetMGM, you’ll have to lay a little money, but not much at (-125).  A win on points by Joshua fetches a return of +350, which is a bit enticing, too. It’s a good bet, as mentioned above, to take the knockout instead, however. Joshua should be focused, determined and ready to return the favor. BetMGM has a special prop bet for those looking for the victory via KO or TKO, too.

If you feel the fight will go 12 rounds, with either fighter winning on points (+275), it is a bit of an intriguing play, but it went just seven last time, and Joshua should fire out of the box looking to end it sooner rather than later.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Joshua straight up at -250 to win outright would return a $4.00 profit. 

My recommendations are playing JOSHUA IN ROUNDS 7-12 (+250), while BETTING HIM STRAIGHT UP on the 3-way fight result line at (-250). I have a hard time seeing Ruiz betting him in two consecutive bouts, especially since that would eliminate the need for a third fight in this series. And let’s face it, boxing loves drama, and there would be none with another Ruiz win.

If you want some action on this title bout or other boxing matches, 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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Wilder-Ortiz odds: Luis Ortiz seeks revenge vs. Deontay Wilder

Previewing the betting odds for the WBC heavyweight title bout between Luis Ortiz and Deontay Wilder, with boxing analysis, picks and tips.

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Deontay Wilder and Luis Ortiz square off in a rematch for the WBC heavyweight title at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Saturday, with the card kicking off at 9 p.m. ET.

Wilder-Ortiz: What you need to know

Wilder (41-0-1) puts his nearly unblemished record on the line in a title rematch bout on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View. Wilder has seen 98 percent of his victories come via the knockout, including a 10th-round KO back in 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. It nearly went another way, as Ortiz was working him over with heavy, sustained damage in the seventh. However, Wilder showed his champion mettle by pulling himself out of the fire and rebounding with a knockout of his own in what was an epic boxing bout harkening back to the heyday of the sweet science.

For Ortiz (31-1), that remains his only setback in a 32-bout career. Since that right uppercut dropped him from the ranks of the unbeaten he has taken out his aggression on Razvan Cojanu and Travis Kauffman in knockouts before picking up a decision victory against Christian Hammer.

Now, he gets a chance to get all the way on top. He cited problems with his cardio as the reason he petered out in the last bout against Wilder, as he really went all-in in the seventh round trying to drop Wilder, but he just couldn’t finish and expended a lot of energy to do so.

Wilder-Ortiz odds, picks, tips and best bets

May 18, 2019; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Deontay Wilder (bronze trunks) celebrates moments after defeating Dominic Breazeale by knockout in the first round of their world heavyweight championship boxing match at Barclays Center. Photo Credit: Sarah Stier – USA TODAY Sports

Per BetMGM, Wilder (-500) is the heavy favorite over Ortiz (+333) on the 3-way betting line, with a Draw (+2500) also a choice. It isn’t a good choice, though.

If you were to look for lighting to strike twice, with a Wilder knockout in Round 10 (+1400), that pays rather handsomely. However, individual round betting is not a great investment. Instead, look to Round Group Betting, where Wilder to win in Rounds 9-12 (+500) pays fairly well.

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If you like Wilder for the KO/TKO/Technical Decision or DQ victory, BetMGM has him listed as a rather heavy favorite at -334, with a win on points at +650 rather tempting. However, most talking heads expect a knockout, and Wilder’s track record suggests the same. BetMGM has a special prop bet for those looking for the victory via KO or TKO, too.

If you feel the fight will go 12 rounds, with either fighter winning on points (+450), you can do fairly well, but it isn’t a recommended wager.

Are you new to sports betting? A $10 wager on Wilder straight up at -500 to win outright pays just a $2.00 profit. 

I personally prefer Group Betting, with the fight won in Rounds 7-12 (+150), while doubling down on Wilder in Rounds 7-12 (+188). If both of those things come through on a $100 wager, it pays a respectable $269. Sign me up.

If you want some action on this title bout or other boxing matches, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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