In a featherweight title bout in the main event, Alexander Volkanovski faces Brian Ortega at UFC 266 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Below, we analyze the UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The card can be viewed on ESPN+ with the early prelims at 6 p.m. ET, the prelims start at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+ and the main card at 10 p.m. ET on Pay-Per-View.
Volkanovski has a two-inch reach advantage, although he gives up two inches in height to the American.
The Aussie champ picked up the strap with a unanimous-decision victory over Max Holloway at UFC 245, and defended the belt July 11, 2020, in a rematch at UFC 251. He suffered a broken left hand in that tilt and he has been sidelined since.
Ortega had a shot at the belt against Holloway at UFC 231 in December 2018 but bowed out due to TKO – Doctor’s Stoppage. He missed all of 2019, and most of 2020, after surgery to repair a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament. He returned Oct. 17, 2020, with a unanimous-decision win over Chan Sung Jang, a.k.a. “The Korean Zombie”, in a main event fight that set him up for this title shot.
UFC 266 Volkanovski vs. Ortega: Odds and lines
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:52 a.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Volkanovski -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Ortega +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Over/Under: 4.5 rounds (Over -133 | Under -103)
- Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -145 | No +105)
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UFC 266 Volkanovski vs. Ortega: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Records: Volkanovski (22-1-0) | Ortega (15-1-0)
Fight result (2-way line or money line)
If the fight between these two is half as exciting as the war of words prior to the title bout we’re in for a treat.
VOLKANOVSKI (-200) is worth playing straight up, even though he is a bit on the expensive side. However, he has brought the heat leading up to this fight, lambasting Ortega for his previous steroid suspension. He will be doing everything in his power to rub Ortega out early.
There is no love between these two, and the challenger will also be doing everything in his power to dump the Aussie and take his belt.
This has fight of the night potential, as it should be as the main event.
Over/Under (O/U)
I think this fight goes the distance, and YES (-145): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a great play.
Volkanovski has ended up going the distance in each of his last three fights, and six of his previous eight bouts. Ortega’s last fight against The Korean Zombie also went the distance.
I also like VOLKANOVSKI ON POINTS (+133) as a result.
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