UFC on ESPN 8: Song Yadong vs. Marlon Vera odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 fight between Song Yadong and Marlon Vera, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Song Yadong and Marlon Vera tangle in a featherweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 8 – also known as ESPN Fight Night 172 – at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Yadong (15-4-1) enters with a slight disadvantage in the reach department, three and a half inches to be exact. He’ll likely try to take down Vera early and often, although a ground game with his opponent can be dangerous. Vera has a 1.41 submission average to just 0.65 for Yadong. Nicknamed “The Terminator,” Yadong enters 7-0-1 across his past eight professional bouts, and is 4-0-1 at the UFC level. He is coming off a majority draw against Cody Stamann Dec. 7, 2019. Three of Yadong’s 19 professional fights have ended via submission, including 1-0 at the UFC level.

Vera (15-5-1) is on a five-bout win streak, taking care of Andre Ewell last time out in a third-round KO/TKO Oct. 12, 2019. Each of his five wins have finished inside the distance, with three via KO/TKO and two on submission victories. In fact, each of his past seven wins have been inside the distance, with only a pair of unanimous decision losses from Oct. 28, 2017-Feb. 3, 2018 to ruin that run. Both of these fighters are strong on the mat, but Vera has the ability to finish in a toe-to-toe brawl. This might be one of the more interesting and even fights on the main card.


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


Song Yadong vs. Marlon Vera betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, May 15 at 11 a.m. ET.

VERA (+140) is worth a roll of the dice, as both fighters are very evenly matched. They have similar fighting styles, and the significant strikes landed per minute and takedown numbers are nearly identical. Vera enters on a roll, having finished inside the distance in each of his past five. Therefore it is a good idea to also take a look at NO (-125): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? prop. Going with UNDER 2.5 (+110) TOTAL NUMBER OF ROUNDS is also worth a small-unit bet, too.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Vera (+140) to win returns a $14 profit. A $10 bet on the fight going less than 2.5 rounds returns an $11 profit, and a bet of No (-125) on the fight going the distance pays a $8 return.

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 on ESPN 8: Eryk Anders vs. Krzysztof Jotko odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 fight between Eryk Anders and Krzysztof Jotko, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Eryk Anders and Krzysztof Jotko square off in a middleweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 8 – also known as ESPN Fight Night 172 – at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Anders (13-4) enters just 3-4 across his past seven bouts, but he is coming off a split-decision victory over Gerald Meerschaert Oct. 12, 2019. Nine of Anders’ 17 professional fights have resulted in a KO/TKO, with eight victories, including a 3-1 mark at the UFC level. He isn’t keen on going to the canvas, as just one of his 17 career fights have ended by submission, with none at the UFC level.

Jotko (21-4) heads into this one with two straight decision victories, including a split-decision win over Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 240. Eight of Jotko’s 12 UFC bouts have gone the distance, as he can be a bit methodical. In 25 career fights, he has a 1-1 mark via submission, including 0-1 at the UFC level. Neither of these fighters will be looking to go to the canvas, so look for a toe-to-toe slugfest.


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


Eryk Anders vs. Krzysztof Jotko betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, May 14 at 6:15 a.m. ET.

JOTKO (-159) has won a pair of decision victories in the past two, and eight of his 12 fights at the UFC level have gone the distance. Not only should you BET JOTKO straight up on the 2-way line over Anders (+130), but taking YES (-159): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is also a sound bet – and the juice isn’t too steep.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Jotko (-159) to win outright returns a profit of $6.29, with the same exact payout for the fight going 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, 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 on ESPN 8: Dan Ige vs. Edson Barboza odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 fight between Dan Ige and Edson Barboza, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Dan Ige and Edson Barboza get together in a featherweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 8 – also known as ESPN Fight Night 172 – at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Ige (13-2) might not win you many Scrabble games, well, if you were allowed to even use proper names. He is a little ball of power wrapped in a 5-foot-7, 145-pound frame, who can win you a lot of wagers. He is coming off a split-decision win over Mirsad Bektic at UFC 247, and is 5-0 across his past five bouts. Ige has a strong ground game, too, and has never been submitted in 15 professional fights. While he has a four-inch disadvantage in the reach department, that won’t be a problem on the ground. That’s where Ige likes to do most of his work. He holds a 2.38 to 0.49 advantage in takedown average, and 0.79 to 0.06 submission average.

The lanky Barboza (20-8) not only has a four-inch reach advantage, but a four-inch advantage in height, too. He can hold his own in significant strikes against Ige, but will need to work on his takedown defense if he wants to survive and advance. Barboza is coming off a split-decision loss against Paul Felder at UFC 242, is 0-2 in the past two and 1-4 across his past five outings. Barboza has never won by submission in 22 career UFC fights, while losing twice by that fashion. Ige easily has the tools to add to that mark.


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


Dan Ige vs. Edson Barboza betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, May 14 at 5:50 a.m. ET.

IGE (+115) is a great value as a short dog against Barboza (-139), who has been struggling lately. While the 34-year-old Barboza has more experience at the UFC level, he is six years older and in the twilight of his career. Ige is an up-and-comer with serious ground game. Ige will continue his ascension, while Barboza is just hanging on at this point. Youth will be served. BET IGE (+115).

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Ige (+115) to win returns a $11.50 profit. A $10 bet on Barboza (-139) to win pays a $7.19 profit.

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 on ESPN 8: Claudia Gadelha vs. Angela Hill odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 fight between Claudia Gadelha and Angela Hill, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Claudia Gadelha and Angela Hill will tangle in a women’s strawweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 8 – also known as ESPN Fight Night 172 – at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Gadelha (17-4) is the considerable favorite in this one, as she looks to collect herself and get back on track. Across the past four bouts she is just 2-2, all unanimous decisions. She did post a win over Randa Markos at UFC 239. It was the ninth time in her past 10 bouts that went the distance. She is 7-0 in her professional career winning via submission, including 1-0 at the UFC level. She has never won or lost via KO/TKO at the UFC level.

Hill (12-7) is a 35-year-old veteran who has won just five of her 12 fights at the UFC level. However, after a slow start since arriving at the top level of mixed martial arts, she has steadied the ship by going 3-0 across her past three outings. That including a unanimous decision win over Loma Lookboonmee Feb. 22, 2020. Seven of Hill’s 10 fights at the UFC level have gone to the judges and their cards. She has never won by submission during her professional career while losing twice in that fashion.


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


Claudia Gadelha vs. Angela Hill betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, May 14 at 5 a.m. ET.

GADELHA (-189) is a strong favorite to make quick work of Hill (+155) and end her winning streak. While Gadelha might be 2-2 across the past two fights, she is the more seasoned fighter, and she has the better body of work, too. Hill will look to keep things upright, but if Gadelha gets her to the canvas it will be over. Gadelha dominates with a 3.34 to 0.50 takedown- average advantage, 47.14 to 37.50 takedown-accuracy percentage and, more importantly, a 0.81 to 0.17 submission average.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Gadelha (-189) to win returns a $5.29 profit. A $10 bet on Hill (+155) to win fetches a $15.50 profit.

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 on ESPN 8: Alistair Overeem vs. Walt Harris odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 fight between Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris square off in a heavyweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 8 – also known as ESPN Fight Night 172 – at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Overeem (45-18) heads into this one with a three-inch reach advantage over his counterpart, while holding a distinct advantage in the significant strikes categories. He has a 3.54 to 2.96 advantage in significant strikes landed per minute, while dominating with a 62.38 significant strike-accuracy percentage to just 38.16 for Harris (13-7). Overeem isn’t a one-trick pony, however, as he also has a 1.39 to 0.35 takedown-average advantage and he has a 53.57 to 33.33 lead in the takedown-accuracy percentage department.

Overeem is looking to bounce back after a KO/TKO loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik with four seconds left Dec. 7, 2019. Overeem suffered an ugly cut to the lip as a result. He is 2-3 across the past five outings with each decided by KO/TKO. Nine of his past 10 bouts have finished inside the distance, including nine via KO/TKO (5-4). Keep in mind when betting method of victory, he hasn’t won or lost via submission in 17 career bouts at the UFC level, and he has been submitted just once in 63 career professional bouts overall.

Harris needed just 12 seconds to polish off Aleksei Oleinik by KO/TKO July 20, 2019. Harris is 3-0 with a No Contest over the past four outings with an overturned result Dec. 29, 2018 against Andrei Arlovski at UFC 232. Like Overeem, Harris sees plenty of fights finish early. Seven of his past eight have finished inside the distance. And, like Overeem, work on the canvas isn’t a big part of what Harris does. In 20 career professional bouts he has never won via submission, and lost just once in that fashion.


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


Alistair Overeem vs. Walt Harris betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, May 14 at 4:45 a.m. ET.

OVEREEM (+130) is the slight underdog in this one, but he is worth a look for a small-unit bet. Both he and Harris (-154) do not go the distance, and will go toe-to-toe throwing hands. Perhaps if this fight were taking place in front of fans, the American Harris could feed off the crowd. But it will be in an empty arena due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. This is a coin-flip main event, so go with the better value – OVEREEM.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Overeem (+130) to win returns a $13 profit. A $10 bet on Harris (-154) to win fetches a $6.50 profit.

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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