In a women’s bantamweight bout, Germaine de Randamie and Julianna Pena meet at UFC on ESPN 16 Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The prelims kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.
De Randamie (9-4) enters the octagon three inches taller than her opponent, while also holding a two-inch reach advantage. The Netherlands-born fighter has managed 2.72 significant strikes landed per minute with a 47.50 significant strike-accuracy percentage. She has been champing at the bit to get back into the octagon after falling to Amanda Nunes by unanimous decision at UFC 245 in a title bout. While four of her past seven fights have finished inside the distance, three of the previous four have gone the distance.
Pena (10-3) bounced back with a unanimous-decision win over Nicco Montano on July 13, 2019, in her most recent fight, ironically on a card featuring de Randamie in the main event. Pena was expected to fight on the UFC on ESPN 8 card, but “The Venezuelan Vixen” was forced to pull out due to an undisclosed injury. She has fought just once since Jan. 28, 2017, after missing time due to pregnancy and injury, so rust could be a factor here.
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Germaine de Randamie vs. Julianna Pena betting odds
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:02 a.m. ET.
DE RANDAMIE (-154) is a strong play on the 2-way line, taking the former champ. She has won five of her past six fights, including wins over decorated fighters like Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington. Three of de Randamie’s past four fights have gone the distance, too, so taking YES (-152): THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE is also a solid pick. Go with DE RANDAMIE ON POINTS (+230) to more than double up your stake, too, as Pena hasn’t fought very often over the past three years and she won’t be able to take down one of women’s top contenders.
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Also see:
- UFC on ESPN 16 predictions (MMA Junkie)
- Pena confident, eyes title shot in future (MMA Junkie)
- MMA Junkie – The latest UFC/MMA coverage
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