In a light heavyweight bout on Saturday’s main card, Anthony Smith and Jimmy Crute meet at UFC 261 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The early prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, with the prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET with the main card on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the UFC 261 Smith vs. Crute odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
UFC 261 Smith vs. Crute Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:50 a.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Crute -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Smith +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over -105 | Under -115)
- Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +130 | No -155)
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UFC 261 Smith vs. Crute: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Records: Smith 34-16 | Crute 12-1
Fight result (2-way line or money line)
Crute (-225) is a decisive favorite in the first bout on the main card. He made quick work of Modestas Bukauskas on Fight Night Oct. 17, 2020, winning in a first-round KO/TKO.
All five of Crute’s fights since making his UFC debut have resulted in stoppages, including two submission wins and two KO/TKOs, with a submission loss to Misha Cirkunov on Sept. 14, 2019.
It’s a little expensive betting Crute on the 2-way line, however. Each of his past four fights has finished in Round 1, so CRUTE BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (+110) is a much more attractive play at plus-money on the 5-way line.
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Over/Under (O/U)
Playing UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-115) jumps off the page based upon Crute’s recent fight history. He just gets finishes, and he gets them early.
NO (-155): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a little more expensive, but if you want the extra 90 seconds, you’ll have to pay for it.
In addition, look to CRUTE IN ROUND 1 (+333) and CRUTE IN ROUND 2 (+500) in round betting.
Yes, you will lose one of the ends, but if he gets the stoppage in Round 1 or 2 you will still be well ahead.
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MMA Junkie:
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