In a middleweight bout, Khamzat Chimaev and Gerald Meerschaert lock horns at UFC on ESPN+ 36 Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET.
Chimaev (8-0) is a punching machine, but he is certainly not a one-trick pony. He made his UFC debut July 15 against John Phillips and he earned the submission win in Round 2 at 1:12. Chimaev took a fight against Rhys McKee for a quick turnaround just 10 days later and recorded a knockout just 3:09 into the bout. All eight of his professional fights have finished inside the distance, including four submissions and four knockouts.
The veteran Meerschaert (31-13) is a heavy underdog, and the southpaw has a decisive disadvantage in significant strikes landed per minute at 8.88 for Chimaev to his 3.31. His opponent is more accurate with the fists, too, as Meerschaert trails 72.81% to 42.98% in significant strike accuracy percentage. “GM3” is coming off a knockout loss in just 74 seconds against Ian Heinisch, and he has dropped four of his past six. Chimaev is about to add to his woes.
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Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gerald Meerschaert betting odds
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:10 a.m. ET.
Chimaev (-500) is an overwhelming favorite, so you cannot just bet him straight up on the 2-way fight result line. Get a little bit creative instead. Look to the 5-way line, playing CHIMAEV BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (-189) for method of victory. It’s a little more juice than I’d prefer to lay, but it’s a sound play.
Betting OVER 1.5 ROUNDS (+105) is a good bet, as Meerschaert is a veteran who will be able to hang with Chimaev for a while before finally knuckling under. In addition, I like to suggest playing the fight finish in both ROUND 2 (+250) and ROUND (+600). As long as the fight doesn’t end in Round 1, or, of course, go the distance, you’re a winner in at least one of the ends, and ahead.
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Also see:
- See the UFC 253 poster that features a championship doubleheader (MMA Junkie)
- MMA Junkie – The latest UFC/MMA coverage
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