UFC 222 Predictions
The UFC is back on pay-per-view on Saturday, March 3, 2018 for UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya. Here are three predictions for the main card.
Women’s Featherweight Championship: 24421 Yana Kunitskaya vs. 24422 Cris Cyborg
According to the latest oddsmakers at YouWager, Cyborg (19-1) is an overwhelming favorite to retain against Kunitskaya (10-3). The champion has a money line of -1350 to win, while the challenger is listed with +750 odds. Cyborg hasn’t lost since her MMA debut in 2005 and she is 4-0 in the UFC with three TKOs. She went a full 25 minutes on Dec. 30 against Holly Holm, which was her toughest test to date. Kunitskaya is taking this fight on short notice and making her UFC debut in the process. While she is an impressive striker, she is in over her head tonight against a ruthless fighter like Cyborg. Cyborg will attack quickly and frequently and score a TKO within the first two rounds. UFC 222 PREDICTIONS: 24422 CRIS CYBORG -1350
Bet on UFC Odds for Saturday, March 3, 2018
Featherweight: 24425 Brian Ortega vs. 24426 Frankie Edgar
Edgar was originally slated to face Max Holloway for the 145-pound belt but an injury forced Ortega into the bout instead. Oddsmakers are listing Edgar (22-5-1) as a -150 favorite in this fight, while Ortega (13-0-1) is getting odds of +130 to prevail. Ortega is definitely on the rise, winning his last five in the UFC by stoppage. That includes a second-round choke of Cub Swanson. Edgar is truly one of the greats in UFC history. His last four losses were all in title bouts, as he has proven he is always one of the best in the division. His speed and cardio present a lot of problems and this is a big step up for Ortega, who hasn’t been featured on a PPV like this before. Ortega also took this fight on short notice and I think that will play a factor late in the fight. Look for Edgar to do what he does best and grind out a victory. UFC 222 PREDICTIONS: 24426 FRANKIE EDGAR -150
Heavyweight: 24433 Andrei Arlovski vs. 24434 Stefan Struve
Oddsmakers are listing Struve (28-9) as the favorite in this fight, giving him odds of -175 to win. Arlovski (26-15) is coming in with a money line of +150 to prevail tonight. Struve is coming off a TKO loss to Alexander Volkov in September while Arlovski snapped a five-fight losing streak with a decision win over Junior Albini in November. The Pitbull is a former UFC champ and his losses typically come against top-level fighters. Struve is more inconsistent when it comes to developing a win streak and becoming a contender. He doesn’t really have the ability to grind out decisions, which Arlovski can do. I don’t see Struve scoring the KO tonight, which means Arlovski should be able to get the upset. He has the better all-around game. UFC 222 PREDICTIONS: ANDREI ARLOVSKI +150