UFC on ESPN+ 34: Ovince Saint Preux vs. Alonzo Menifield odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 34 fight between Ovince Saint Preux and Alonzo Menifield, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

We finally get Ovince Saint Preux and Alonzo Menifield tangling in a light heavyweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 34 Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET.

Saint Preux (24-14) was supposed to fight Menifield (9-1) on the UFC on ESPN 15 main card, but that fight was scrapped due to a positive COVID-19 test result for Menifield. OSP was removed from the card and was not compensated for the fight, but this bout was quickly rebooked for this card.

Saint Preux towers three inches taller than Menifield with a four-inch reach advantage. The former University of Tennessee linebacker has developed into a polished fighter. He suffered a disappointing split-decision loss to Ben Rothwell last time out, and it easily could have gone the other way. He enters just 1-3 over the past four, and 5-7 across the past 12. However, four of those victories have been by submission and one by knockout, while eight of the past 12 have finished inside the distance. Win or lose, it’s always exciting with OSP.

Menifield (9-1) is trying to bounce back after a unanimous decision setback against Devin Clark at UFC 250 in his most recent fight. He has won two of his three bouts at the UFC level, and he has picked up eight wins in nine professional victories, with one coming via submission. OSP will be his most challenging opponent to date, however, and this will be a huge measuring stick fight to see how Menifield stacks up in a very deep weight class.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN+ 34? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! Bet now!

Ovince Saint Preux vs. Alonzo Menifield betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:25 a.m. ET.

SAINT PREUX (+115) will come in on a bit of a cool streak, winning just once in the past four. He was a bit disappointed with his removal right before getting amped up for his last bout, but that’s how the cookie crumbles in the days of COVID. It will also be interesting to see how Menifield (-139) bounces back after self-isolation and any after effects of coronavirus. Take Saint Preux here, as there are just fewer question marks.

While taking OSP on the 2-way line is fine, look to the more specific fight props, too. Take SAINT PREUX BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+187) on the 5-way line for a better bargain than just betting him straight up. Also, UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-176) is a strong bet as Saint Preux’s fights tend to be rather short, win or lose.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Also see:

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2559]

UFC on ESPN 15: Ovince Saint Preux vs. Alonzo Menifield odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 15 fight between Ovince Saint Preux and Alonzo Menifield, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

UFC action returns with Ovince Saint Preux and Alonzo Menifield square off in a light heavyweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 15 Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 8:30 p.m. ET.

Saint Preux (24-14), the former defensive lineman and linebacker at the University of Tennessee, stands three inches taller with a four-inch reach advantage over his opponent. He has developed into a tremendous fighter, and this will be his 21st fight, second only behind Jon Jones all time in the light heavyweight division. Saint Preux is tied with Jones and three other fighters with five submission wins, most in the class. He enters this one just 1-3 over the past four, and 5-7 across the past 12. Four of those victories have been by submission and one by knockout, while eight of the past 12 have finished inside the distance. Win or lose, it’s always exciting with OSP.

Menifield (9-1) looks for redemption after a unanimous decision loss to Devin Clark last time out at UFC 250. He is still 2-1 at the UFC level, and eight of his nine pro victories have come by knockout with one by way of submission. While all of that is impressive, this matchup with Saint Preux is easily the biggest of his career, and most challenging opponent yet. We’ll see how he fares in the co-main event against one of the division’s best.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN 15? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! Bet now!

Ovince Saint Preux vs. Alonzo Menifield betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6 p.m. ET.

SAINT PREUX (+110) might be coming in on a bit of a cool streak, dropping three of the past four fights. However, he’ll be up to the task against Menifield. Saint Preux is a nice value as a short dog here.

In addition to taking OSP straight up, you’ll want to get specific, too. Take SAINT PREUX BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+175) on the 5-way line for a little better price than just betting him straight up. Also, bet UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-189), as win or lose, what Saint Preux doesn’t like to do is go very long into the night.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Also see:

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2559]