MMA
UFC 282 Preview: Ankalaev to take light heavyweight crown?
The action returns to the octagon this weekend with another highly entertaining card. For the main event we have a light-heavyweight title clash in Jan Blachowicz against Magomed Ankalaev, with an attention grabbing co-main with Paddy Pimblett versus Jared Gordon.
The event will take place on December 10th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
We preview the best of the action below.
Blachowicz v Ankalaev: Light heavyweight title clash
Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev are competing for the vacant light heavyweight title in what is an absolutely stacked division. Blachowicz has contested for the title previously, beating Dominick Reyes to claim the belt at UFC 253.
The Polish fighter boasts a record of 29-9 and has victories over some of the toughest men in the UFC including Israel Adesanya and Luke Rockhold. Blachowicz will enter the octagon as the 21/10 underdog.
The path to victory for the Pole is probably using his raw knockout power, having ended four of his last six wins by KO/TKO. He’s priced at 7/2 to win within the distance, although Ankalaev will take some stopping.
Ankalaev is an absolute monster and it seems likely he will come out on top on Saturday night. He is the 4/11 favourite in this matchup, which is no surprise given his record of 18-1. The Russian is incredibly well rounded, but 50% of his wins have come by knockout.
Ankalaev’s only loss was by submission in 2018 against Paul Craig, but since then the Russian has won nine fights in a row, easily the current record in the division which he will look to extend to 10 with a show-stopping performance this weekend.
Last time in the octagon, Ankalaev knocked out Anthony Smith in the second round. If you fancy him to repeat this performance the 6’3” beast is 11/10 to win by stoppage. If you fancy Ankalaev to win but the fight to go the distance, Ankalaev by decision is priced at 9/4.
Given both men’s taste for knockouts, it is no wonder the odds of the fight going the distance are 11/8 and just EVNS to last less than 2.5 rounds. Although the judges might get a day off, this will be no relaxing affair!
Check out all the latest betting offers at William Hill
Pimblett v Gordon: Pimblett faces a step-up in competition
Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett likely needs little introduction after soaring to fame since joining the UFC 15 months ago. In that time The Baddy has racked up three stoppage finishes in superb fashion, instantly marking himself as a crowd favourite with his unusual style and thick Scouse accent.
Pimblett’s record is now 19-3, and the 27-year-old will enter this lightweight bout as the 4/11 favourite. Only four of his victories have gone to the judge’s scorecards, with six knockouts and nine submissions. Pimblett is priced at 15/8 to win by submission and to win by knockout at 11/4.
Jared “Flash” Gordon also likely needs little introduction as a veteran of the UFC. Since returning to the lightweight division Gordon is 2-1 and comes into this fight off the back of a unanimous decision win earlier this year over Leonardo Santos.
Despite Gordon’s experience and the step-up in calibre for Pimblett, Flash will be the 21/10 underdog heading into the octagon this Saturday. Gordon’s record stands at 19-5, similar to his opponent, but with far more fights lasting the distance at 11. Flash is priced at 4/1 to win by decision and make it 12.
Overall, this should be a highly entertaining fight with the likelihood of the judge’s opinion being needed also very unlikely. The fight to go to the judge’s scorecards is priced at 6/4, you won’t want to miss this!
