Cyborg vs. Holm Prediction
Two of the best female strikers in MMA history meet up tonight when Cris Cyborg defends his featherweight championship against Holly Holm in UFC 219.
According to the latest oddsmakers, Cyborg is the favorite in this fight, as she is listed with odds of -380 against Holm. The challenger comes in with odds of +290 to prevail. Tonight’s fight takes place from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the main event of a PPV card that begins at 10PM ET.
Cyborg is 18-1 in her career with 1 no contest. She hasn’t lost since her pro debut back in 2005. She was crowned the first UFC women’s featherweight championship in July when she defeated Tonya Evinger. She is 3-0 in the UFC with all TKO victories. The Brazilian is a vicious striker that overwhelms her opponent with her punches and kicks. She comes forward from the bell and is very strong and difficult to take down. Of her 18 wins, 16 have been by knockout.
Holm (11-3) is a former UFC bantamweight champion that is coming off a head-kick KO win over Bethe Correia in June. That win snapped a three-fight losing streak for Holm, who was known for handing Ronda Rousey her first loss with a head-kick KO as well. Holm was a former professional kickboxer that has great power in her kicks and good punches as well. However, she is much more reserved in her approach than Cyborg.
Holm certainly has the striking ability to beat Cyborg, but the question is will she be able to land that big kick or big punch. Cyborg is going to be the bigger, stronger fighter. She also is someone that pushes the action, which can be tough to deal with. Holm managed to make that work for her against Rousey, but Rousey didn’t have the striking skills and power that Cyborg has. I expect the Brazilian to win in a similar fashion as she usually does. She will overwhelm Holm and eventually earn the TKO with her vicious strikes.
UFC 219 PREDICTIONS: CRIS CYBORG -380