UFC Fight Night 172: Jessica Eye vs. Cynthia Calvillo odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 172 fight between Jessica Eye and Cynthia Calvillo, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

Jessica Eye and Cynthia Calvillo tangle in a women’s flyweight bout on the main card at UFC Fight Night 172 Saturday at the UFC’s Apex Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Eye (15-7) looks to keep things going in a positive direction after losing in a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko June 8, 2019 at UFC 238. Eye rebounded with a nice unanimous decision win over Viviane Araujo six months later at UFC 245, and has been victorious in four of her previous five fights after an ugly four-fight losing skid from July 25, 2015 to Sept. 10, 2016. Eye will look to use her two-inch reach advantage and two-inch height advantage Saturday, but she isn’t quite the puncher as her opponent.

Calvillo (8-1-1) heads into this one with the more superior punching stats, posting a 4.12 to 3.79 edge in significant strikes landed per minute, while posting a 43.15 to 38.38 advantage in significant strikes-accuracy percentage. In addition, she has a 1.83 to 0.46 takedown-average advantage, and a 1.65 to 0.65 submission-average difference. In other words, she has a slight edge in the toe-to-toe game, but a distinct advantage on the canvas. Calvillo is coming off a majority draw against Marina Rodriguez Dec. 7, 2019 at UFC Fight night: Overeem-Rozenstruik, and she is 5-1-1 in seven bouts since arriving at the UFC level.


Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 172? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!


Jessica Eye vs. Cynthia Calvillo betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, June 10 at 7:05 a.m. ET.

CALVILLO (+100) is a strong play at even money against Eye (-120). Calvillo holds her own against Eye in the punching statistics, but will likely try to get the fight down to the mat early and often. That’s where Calvillo is at her best and holds the largest advantage.

Four of Calvillo’s past five bouts have ended up going the distance, while Eye has had eight of her past nine fights decided by the judges. As such, taking YES (-182): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a very good play, and a slightly better value that taking Over 4.5 rounds (-200).

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Calvillo pays even money, fetching a $10 return. A $10 wager on Yes (-182): the fight goes the distance returns a profit of just $5.49, while Over 4.5 Rounds (-200) pays just $5.

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

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, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

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UFC Fight Night 172: Karl Roberson vs. Marvin Vettori odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 172 fight between Karl Roberson and Marvin Vettori, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

Karl Roberson and Marvin Vettori tangle in a middleweight fight on the main card at UFC Fight Night 172 Saturday at the UFC’s Apex Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Roberson (9-2) heads into this one with statistical advantages, leading 52.99 to 41.95 in significant strikes-accuracy percentage and 57.14 to 45.00 in takedown-accuracy percentage, as well as 0.80 to 0.63 in submission average. The southpaw was submitted by Glover Teixeira in the UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw card Jan. 19, 2019, but bounced back with a split-decision win over Wellington Turman July 13, 2019, and a submission win of his own against Roman Kopylov Nov. 9, 2019 in his most recent outing. Since arriving at the UFC level, four of Roberson’s six fights have ended via submission, with two wins and two losses, so he usually ends up on the mat in some fashion.

Vettori (14-4-1), a.k.a. “The Italian Dream,” enters with a pair of unanimous decisions wins in his past two outings. He defeated Andrew Sanchez Oct. 12, 2019 and topped Cezar Ferreira July 13, 2019. Roberson actually fought Ferreira a year earlier, losing by submission May 12, 2018 at UFC 224. Since arriving at the UFC level, the results have been mixed for the Italian, posting a 4-2-1 record with his past six bouts going the distance.


Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 172? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!


Karl Roberson vs. Marvin Vettori betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, June 10 at 5:50 p.m. ET.

Vettori (-228) is favored rather heavily on the 2-way line, so it’s a good idea to either AVOID betting that straight up, or find a way to mix it into a two- or three-way parlay to mitigate the risk.

It’s best to take YES (-182): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? as it’s a little less chalk to eat, and really is the BEST BET for this bout. Vettori’s fights have been going the distance on a regular basis, while two of Roberson’s past four have gone the distance. As long as Vettori can avoid going down to the canvas, this fight has a more than good chance of being decided by the judges. OVER 2.5 rounds (-200) is a little more pricey, but gives you a little wiggle room should the fight end late in Round 3 rather than via decision. However, that wager is not recommended.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Vettori (-228) fetches a profit of just $4.39, while a $10 play on Yes (-182) on will the fight go the distance returns a profit of $5.50.

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

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, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

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UFC Fight Night 172: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Ray Borg odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 172 fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Ray Borg, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

Merab Dvalishvili and Ray Borg hook up in a bantamweight fight on the main card at UFC Fight Night 172 Saturday at the UFC’s Apex Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Dvalishvili (10-4) heads into this one with a two-inch height advantage and a five-inch reach advantage, while dominating in terms of significant strikes landed per minute (3.84 to 1.52) and takedown average (7.80 to 3.89). That explains why the Georgia native (think Tbilisi, not Atlanta) is the heavy favorite. The striker has won three straight, winning each by unanimous decision, after losing his first two at the UFC level. Borg will easily be the toughest fighter Dvalishvili has faced to date, however.

Borg (13-5) will have big measurable disadvantages, particularly the reach, but he is a big-time grappler who will be trying to get Dvalishvili to the canvas early and often. Borg, nicknamed “The Tazmexican Devil,” suffered a disappointing split-decision loss to Ricky Simon May 13, 2020 on the Smith-Teixeira card, and apparently can’t wait to try to redeem himself. Borg is 2-3 across his past five bouts, with four straight going the distance. With the exception for the Demetrious Johnson title bout Oct. 7, 2017 at UFC 216 when Borg was clearly overmatched, his other two losses during the five-fight span could have easily gone the other way.


Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 172? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!


Merab Dvalishvili vs. Ray Borg betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 11 at 4:40 a.m. ET.

The veteran BORG (+310) is worth a roll of the dice on a small-unit play, just don’t get carried away. Borg is just the better value play. He could easily be on a three-bout win streak if not for the split-decision loss last time out, and perhaps that would’ve changed the perception of him coming into this one. Dvalishvili (-400) has a better body of work lately, but who has he really fought? Borg is the most experienced UFC fighter Dvalishvili will have faced in his entire career, and laying four times your potential return is just not good betting.

It’s a little expensive, but taking YES (-250): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is the way to go. Neither of these fighters have been getting quick finishes lately, with only one of Dvalishvili’s past five finishing inside the distance. He has also never been submitted in his pro career, something Borg would like to change. However, the Georgian should keep him at a distance and try to wow the judges with his technical ability.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Dvalishvili (-400) to win pays a profit of just $2.50, while a winning $10 bet on Borg (+310) fetches a profit of $31. A $10 wager of YES (-250) for the fight to go the distance returns $4.

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

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, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

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UFC Fight Night 172: Andre Fili vs. Charles Jourdain odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 172 fight between Andre Fili and Charles Jourdain, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

Andre Fili and Charles Jourdain square off in a featherweight fight on the main card at UFC Fight Night 172 Saturday at the UFC’s Apex Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Entering this bout as a moderate favorite, Fili (20-7) has a two-inch height advantage and five-inch reach advantage. He is also an absolute beast on the canvas, posting a 2.49 takedown average and 45.61 takedown-accuracy percentage, although his submission average is just 0.19. Fili, nicknamed “Touchy,” had to be a little miffed about losing a unanimous decision bout to Sodiq Yusuff Jan. 18, 2020 on the UFC 246 card last time out, snapping a modest two-fight win streak. It was par for the course as far as results, however, as seven of Fili’s past eight have gone the distance, including five unanimous decisions (3-2).

Jourdain (10-2) holds a slim advantage over Fili in terms of significant strikes landed per minute at 4.85-4.00, and in significant strikes-accuracy percentage at 43.27 to 37.47. But the sample size is rather small, as Jourdain has fought just twice at the UFC level, winning last time out against Dooho Choi Dec. 21, 2019, and losing his UFC debut by unanimous decision to Desmond Green May 18, 2019. Jourdain likes to get the fights to the mat, especially trying to finish with the rear-naked choke or guillotine, but Fili is easily the most experienced fighter he’ll have faced to date, and the veteran won’t be tricked to the canvas easily.


Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 172? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!


Andre Fili vs. Charles Jourdain betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 11 at 5:25 a.m. ET.

FILI (-228) is a little pricey on the 2-way line, but the American will easily take care of “Air” Jourdain (+185) in this bout. The only question is how long will it take and by what method? We don’t have a lot of data on Jourdain, especially at the UFC level, but Fili tends to stand and punch it out. And Fili’s fights are usually not quickly finished, so rolling with YES (-154): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? should be a safe play.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Fili (-228) returns a profit of just $4.39, while a bet on Jourdain (+185) at $10 fetches a profit of $18.50. A $10 play on Yes (-154) for “Will the fight go the distance?” returns a profit of $6.49.

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

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, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

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UFC Fight Night 172: Jordan Espinosa vs. Mark De La Rosa odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 172 fight between Jordan Espinosa and Mark De La Rosa , with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

Jordan Espinosa and Mark De La Rosa lock horns in a bantamweight fight on the main card at UFC Fight Night 172 Saturday at the UFC’s Apex Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Espinosa (14-7) enters as a moderate favorite over De La Rosa (11-4) in the first fight on the main card.

Espinosa holds a 4 1/2-inch reach advantage, and will look to add to his already sizable significant strikes landed per minute advantage. He leads that department 4.25 to 3.28 over De La Rosa, and has an even larger advantage in significant strike-accuracy percentage at 55.97 to 36.25. Espinosa isn’t a one-trick pony, though, and can grapple with the best of them, too. His numbers on the canvas are slightly better than what MDLR brings to the table.

Espinosa is hungry to snap a two-bout losing streak, as he was submitted in the first round against both Matt Schnell (Aug. 3, 2019) and Alex Perez (Jan. 25, 2020). However, the danger isn’t quite as high against De La Rosa, although you have to figure the challenger will certainly try his best to get the favorite to the mat.

De La Rosa is on a slide of his own, dropping his past three fights. “The Bumblebee” was knocked out in Round 2 last time out against Raulian Paiva Feb. 15, 2020, following a pair of unanimous-decision setbacks to Kai Kara-France Aug. 31, 2019, and Alex Perez March 30, 2019. De La Rosa’s last win was Nov. 10, 2018, a split-decision victory over Joby Sanchez. Three of De La Rosa’s past four fights have ended up going the distance, while Espinosa has finished inside the distance in three of his past four.


Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 172? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!


Jordan Espinosa vs. Mark De La Rosa betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 11 at 5:45 a.m. ET.

ESPINOSA (-164) is the favorite, and you have to like him in this bout mainly because of his reach advantage and potential to finish with one punch. He makes his punches count, and De La Rosa doesn’t have the kind of ground game which would be a problem for the favorite. Based upon Espinosa’s significant strikes advantage and his work on the mat, taking NO (+170): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a strong value.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Fili (-164) returns a profit of just 6.10, while a winning $10 bet on De La Rosa (+135) fetches a profit of $13.50. A $10 play on NO (+170) for “Will the fight go the distance?” returns a profit of $17.

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

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, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

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