Photo credit: UFC Twitter
UFC 247 takes place tomorrow: Sunday, February 9, with the main card starting at 4pm NZT.
Two title fights headline the card, with perennial Light Heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones set to defend his title against undefeated prospect Dominic Reyes, and Flyweight Queen Valentina Shevchenko set to defend her belt against the surging Katlyn Chookagian.
Also on the main card, stone-fisted Derrick Lewis welcomes Ilir Latifi to the heavyweight division, featherweight contenders Dan Ige and Mirsad Bektic face off to claim their spot in the top 10, and heavyweights Juan Adams and Justin Tafa will throw down.
Fight News has put together their best bets for this event using the current odds available at the TAB.
Jon Jones (25-1-0) vs Dominic Reyes (12-0-0)
This fight, like every Jon Jones fight, sees the champion as a prohibitive favourite. Dominic Reyes, despite being undefeated at 12-0 in professional MMA, has not inspired MMA pundits to give him more than a puncher’s chance in his matchup with Jones.
Reyes’ oft-touted athleticism is the main point of contention here. Jon Jones has faced elite wrestlers, jiu jitsu black belts, and ferocious strikers. Nothing that Reyes will bring to the table will be something that Jones has not had to deal with before.
TAB Odds: Jones (1.21) vs Reyes (4.05)
Expect Jones to wrestle early and tire Reyes, before finishing him with strikes from the top in the 3rd or 4th round.
Prediction: Jon Jones to win in round 3. Bet $20 to win $120.
https://www.tab.co.nz/sports/event/259225/jon-jones-v-dominick-reyes
Valentina Shevchenko (18-3-0) vs Katlyn Chookagian (13-2-0)
It seems unlikely that any woman in the 125lb division will give Shevchenko a serious challenge. Katlyn Chookagian is being billed as a credible threat, coming off a lacklustre pair of decision wins over Jennifer Maia and Joanne Calderwood.
Since 2010, however, Shevchenko has only lost to female MMA GOAT Amanda Nunes, racking up wins over many elite fighters including former champions Joanna Jedzrejczyk and Holly Holm.
TAB Odds: Shevchenko (1.08) vs Chookagian (6.90)
Shevchenko will play her patient counter-fighting game, fighting off the back foot and building a point lead without putting herself in danger. Expect her to win a comfortable decision.
Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko by decision. Bet $20 to win $14.60.
https://www.tab.co.nz/sports/event/282816/valentina-shevchenko-v-katlyn-chookagian
Derrick Lewis (22-7-0) vs Ilir Latifi (14-7-0)
Derrick Lewis has fallen on harder times of late, coming off a pair of stoppage losses to Junior Dos Santos and Daniel Cormier before scraping by Blagoy Ivanov in November last year.
Ilir Latifi looks to resurrect his flagging MMA career by making a move up to heavyweight after a pair of losses; to Corey Anderson and Volkan Oezdimir.
TAB Odds: Lewis (1.39) vs Latifi (2.80)
The odds-makers have this one right. Latifi might be able to beat some of the UFC’s heavyweight roster, but Derrick Lewis is a huge heavyweight, with undisputable knockout power and a penchant for late-fight finishes.
Prediction: Derrick Lewis by TKO. Bet $20 to win $16.
https://www.tab.co.nz/sports/event/302239/derrick-lewis-v-ilir-latifi
Parley Bet
If you want to increase your payout, take a parley option to multiply the winning odds together.
Bet: Jon Jones to win, Valentina Shevchenko to win, Derrick Lewis to win. Bet $20 to win $16.32.
https://www.tab.co.nz/sport/22/mixed-martial-arts/matches
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