UFC on ESPN+ 32: Omari Akhmedov vs. Chris Weidman odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 fight between Omari Akhmedov and Chris Weidman, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Omari Akhmedov and Chris Weidman go toe-to-toe in a middleweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 32 Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN+ 32? 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!

Akhmedov (20-4-1) heads into this one with a five-inch reach disadvantage, and he is two inches shorter, too. The Russian is 5-0-1 across his past six bouts, including 3-0-1 as a middleweight, with all of those fights going the distance. He ranks ninth among the middleweight class in bottom position time at 1:55, but that might be put to the test since Weidman (14-5) likes to go the canvas frequently. Akhmedov is tied for the division lead with Thales Leites with 37 takedowns landed, and he is fifth among middleweights with a 52.1 takedown-accuracy percentage. As such, Akhmedov has his work cut out for him.

Weidman enters in a freefall, losing five of his past six fights. One might see that and assume it’s going to be Akhmedov as the slam-dunk play, but Weidman’s losses are against Luke Rockhold for the strap at UFC 194, as well as knockout losses to Yoel Romero, Gegard Mousasi, Jacare Souza and Dominick Reyes, the cream of the crop among the class. Weidman has a submission win against Kelvin Gastelum along the way, and has seven consecutive fights to finish inside the distance.

Also see:

Omari Akhmedov vs. Chris Weidman betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET.

AKHMEDOV (+115) is a short dog worth paying attention to, as Weidman (-137) staggers in on a skid. It’s premature to say the 36-year-old Weidman is done, but he clearly isn’t championship caliber any longer. He is a name, and that’s likely why he is favored in this one against Akhmedov. The Russian will be able to match Weidman’s grappling skills and stretch out the fight, doing enough to win the judges over for a unanimous decision victory. As such, back AKHMEDOV TO WIN VIA DECISION (+350) on the 5-way line, and also grab YES (-106):  WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE?

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. 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.

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UFC on ESPN+ 32: Maki Pitolo vs. Darren Stewart odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 fight between Maki Pitolo and Darren Stewart, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Maki Pitolo and Darren Stewart square off in a middleweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 32 Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN+ 32? 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!

Pitolo (13-5) is a punching machine. He enters this one with 5.22 significant strikes landed per minute to just 2.94 for Stewart (11-5). He isn’t just a brawler, however, as the mixed martial artist also holds a 1.98 to 1.38 takedown average and 60.0 to 44.44 takedown-accuracy percentage advantage. Pitolo – nicknamed “Coconut Bombz” – bounced back from a unanimous decision loss at UFC 243 to Callan Potter as a welterweight with a KO/TKO win in Round 2 against Charles Byrd back on June 6 at UFC 250 at the middleweight level. Each of Pitolo’s past four professional wins have finished inside the distance. In addition, he is 7-2 via KO/TKO in his 18 career professional fights, so he’ll be looking to drop those coconut bombz on the head of Stewart early and often.

Stewart is a striker who is looking to rebound after a unanimous decision loss to Bartosz Fabinski at CW 113 in the main event. Stewart returns to the UFC after the one-off cage warrior event. He is just 4-4 across his past eight fights at the UFC level, losing twice by way of the judges and twice via submission. Stewart is a big puncher, but he might have met his match here, as Pitolo can strike with the best of them. The good news for Stewart is that seven of his 11 career wins have been via KO/TKO, and he has never been knocked out – yet.

Also see:

Maki Pitolo vs. Darren Stewart betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:40 p.m. ET.

PITOLO (+125) is a tremendous value as a slight underdog in this one against Stewart (-152). It’s nice to diversify your betting card with an underdog or two, and this one really stands out for me.

While Stewart has never lost via knockout, there’s a first time for everything. The Hammerin’ Hawaiian is mostly a one-trick pony. Pitolo hits … and he hits hard. Stewart is the moderate favorite in this one because he can do a handful of things well. But that loss at CW 113 is a bit worrisome, and there’s a concern he is going to catch hands early and not being able to pull out of the nosedive. If you’re buying Pitolo, and you should be, you will also want PITOLO TO WIN BY KO/TKO or DQ (+325) on the 7-way line for an added value. As such, you’ll also want to hit NO (-167): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE?

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. 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.

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UFC on ESPN+ 32: Yana Kunitskaya vs. Julija Stoliarenko odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 fight between Yana Kunitskaya and Julija Stoliarenko, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Yana Kunitskaya and Julija Stoliarenko mix it up in a women’s bantamweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 32 Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN+ 32? 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!

Kunitskaya (12-5) is looking to bounce back after a KO/TKO loss at 0:33 of Round 3 against Aspen Ladd on Dec. 7, 2019. It was not a fight which will live in infamy. The Russian – nicknamed “Foxy” – has posted a 3-3-1 record across his past seven pro fights, including a 2-2 mark at the UFC level. Her two victories at the UFC level have been by unanimous decision, and her two losses at via KO/TKO, so the Jackson-Wink MMA team product could use a little help on defense. The good news, if you’re into trends, is that Kunitskaya has never lost back-to-back fights in her career.

Stoliarenko (9-4-1) is a 27-year-old from Lithuania who will be making her UFC debut. She enters on a five-bout winning streak, including four wins via submission/armbar. In fact, eight of her nine victories have been by armbar, so that’s something Kunitskaya will have to watch for early on. In fact, 10 of her 14 career professional fights have finished inside the distance, so win or lose, it’s sure to be an exciting bout.

Also see:

Yana Kunitskaya vs. Julija Stoliarenko betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9 p.m. ET.

KUNITSKAYA (-200) is the overwhelming favorite here, and rightly so. She has a much better body of work, while Stoliarenko (+165) is just getting started. Kunitskaya lost via submission/armbar at ACB 32: Battle of Lions back on March 25, 2016 to Zaira Dyshekova, so that is a bit of a concern given that is Stoliarenko’s move of choice. However, the Lithuanian is a bit of a one-trick pony. As long as Kunitskaya can keep the fight upright or in the clinch, she checks off virtually all of the other boxes. For an extra value, take KUNITSKAYA BY DECISION (+105) on the 5-way line, as her previous three wins have all been by way of unanimous decision.

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. 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.

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UFC on ESPN+ 32: Beneil Dariush vs. Scott Holtzman odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 fight between Beneil Dariush and Scott Holtzman, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Beneil Dariush and Scott Holtzman lock horns in a lightweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 32 Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN+ 32? 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!

Dariush (18-4-1) heads into this one inch taller than his opponent with a three-inch reach advantage. After being stunned by Alexander Hernandez via KO/TKO in 42 seconds at UFC 222 on March 3, 2018, the Iranian southpaw has rattled off four consecutive victories, including three straight wins inside the distance. During that span he has a pair of submission wins, and he knocked out Drakkar Klose at UFC 248 on March 7 in his most recent showing. For what it’s worth, he has fought on this exact date before, topping Michael Johnson in a split-decision win on Aug. 8, 2015, and he is 2-0 in his career in the month of August.

Holtzman (14-3) – a.k.a. “Hot Sauce” – is on a two-bout win streak after dumping Jim Miller by unanimous decision in Rio Rancho, N.M., last time out on Feb. 15. Unlike Dariush, who has lately been finishing fights early, Holtzman has gone the distance in two of the past three, and seven of the previous eight bouts. Holtzman is normally keen on taking it to the mat, as he ranks sixth in the division among active fighters with a 60.0 takedown-accuracy percentage. However, Dariush is a submission specialist and he has 1.8 takedowns per 15 minutes with eight tap-out wins among his 18 pro wins.

Also see:

Beneil Dariush vs. Scott Holtzman betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

DARIUSH (-186) is a heavy favorite, mainly because he has several avenues to victory. He has recorded eight wins by way of submission, four victories by KO/TKO and has been successful in six other fights going the distance. He has at least one win in each of those methods during his four-bout winning streak. It’s uncertain how he’ll get it done against Holtzman (+155), but he will stay on his upward trajectory as he tries to position himself, eventually, for a title shot.

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. 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.

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UFC on ESPN+ 32: Aleksei Oleinik vs. Derrick Lewis odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 fight between Aleksei Oleinik and Derrick Lewis, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Aleksei Oleinik and Derrick Lewis square off in a heavyweight bout in the main event at UFC on ESPN+ 32 Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN+ 32? 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!

Lewis (23-7) rolls into this one on a two-bout win streak, including decision wins over Blagoy Ivanov and Ilir Latifi. After a submission loss for the strap against Daniel Cormier and a KO/TKO setback to Junior Dos Santos, Lewis is slowly trying to work his way back into title contention. A win over the veteran Oleinik (59-13-1) will get him one step closer to that reality. Since making his UFC debut back on April 19, 2014, 15 of his 19 fights have finished inside the distance, and he has four decision wins and no losses by way of the judges.

Oleinik is coming off an impressive split-decision win over Fabricio Werdum last time out at UFC 249, and will be making his third appearance of 2020 after a submission win over Maurice Greene at UFC 246 back on Jan. 18. It goes without saying that while 2020 hasn’t been great for many people for a multitude of reasons, it’s been a great year for Oleinik, and way better than his 2019 when he was 0-2 with a pair of knockout losses. While he enters on a two-bout win streak, he has never won three in a row at the UFC level.

Also see:

Aleksei Oleinik vs. Derrick Lewis betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:50 p.m. ET.

Lewis (-205) is a rather heavy favorite over OLEINIK (+165), who has quite a bit of mileage on those tires. As mentioned above, the 43-year-old Russian has never won three fights in a row at the UFC level, but it’s never too late to start something new. Lewis is going to come out swinging, looking to end this one quickly. If Oleinik can manage to keep him at a distance, and let Lewis punch himself out and get tired, the veteran will be able to score the win as the moderate favorite.

As far as going the distance, the odds are so skewed in favor of this fight ending early, with No (-715): Will the fight go the distance? There is no way to justify risking over seven times your potential return, so that option is off the table. As such, you’ll need to get specific to chop down the juice. Take a chance on OLEINIK BY SUBMISSION (+250) for an added value on the 7-way line.

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. 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.

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