In a welterweight bout in the main event, Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad meet Saturday at UFC on ESPN 34 at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. Below, we analyze the UFC on ESPN 34 Luque vs. Muhammad odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The prelim fights can be viewed on ESPN+ at 5:30 p.m. ET, and the main card starting at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.
Luque enters on a four-bout win streak, topping Michael Chiesa last time out at UFC 265 in Aug. 2021. He submitted Tyron Woodley at UFC 260 on the Miocic-Ngannou main card in March 2021 last time out, while a devastating blow with the right hand caused a doctor’s stoppage against Niko Price at UFC 249 in May 2020 to kick off the win streak. All four victories along the streak have come via stoppages.
The Palestinian fighter Muhammad has recorded unanimous-decision wins in his previous two bouts, topping Stephen Thompson in Dec. 2021 and Demian Maia in June 2021. He won’t be fazed by another tough opponent. He is 6-0 with a no contest against Leon Edwards in March 2021 across his past seven fights.
Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.
UFC on ESPN 34 Luque vs. Muhammad: Odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:55 a.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Luque -180 (bet $180 to win $100) | Muhammad +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +102 | No -140)
[tipico]
UFC on ESPN 34 Luque vs. Muhammad: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Records: Luque (21-7-1) | Muhammad (20-3-0)
Fight result (2-way line or money line)
LUQUE (-180) heads into this bout with a solid 3.5-inch reach advantage which he’ll use to keep the challenger at arm’s length, literally. The Brazilian-born fighter also has a 5.65-to-4.55 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, as well as a better accuracy mark with those punches.
Muhammad is good in the takedown game, but Luque is a solid grappler if it comes to that. There isn’t one area in which Muhammad gets the checkmark, so play the moderate favorite straight up.
Over/Under (O/U)
NO (-140): FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE is the way to go. While Muhammad has seen four of his last five fights go to the judges, with 10 of the past 12 going the distance, that’s not Luque’s game. The favorite has just two decisions in the past 11 fights, and he can do it with the knockout or on the mat with the submission.
Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2559]