UFC 231 Predictions
Two UFC championships will be up for grabs tonight when UFC 231 takes place. Here’s our predictions for some of the fights on tonight’s main card.
UFC 231 will be held from Scotibank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The main card for the event will begin at 10PM ET and air live on PPV.
24001 Brian Ortega vs. 24002 Max Holloway
The main event of tonight’s card is for the UFC Featherweight Championship as Max Holloway (19-3) defends his championship against unbeaten contender Brian Ortega (14-0). According to the latest oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Ortega is a very slim favorite, as he is getting odds of -115 to win. Holloway is listed with a money line of -105 to retain the title. Holloway hasn’t competed since December of last year due to an unknown injury that was similar to post-concussion syndrome. He appears to be good to go and looks healthy now. He has won his last 12 bouts, including back-to-back TKO wins over Jose Aldo. Ortega fought in March and had a first-round KO of Frankie Edgar. His last six fights have been finishes, as he has beaten the best in division. Both fighters are long and scrappy, but Ortega has been more of a dominant fighter while Holloway has shown the ability to overcome adversity. I think that is the difference in this fight. Holloway has been through some wars that Ortega hasn’t. The challenger will face some adversity in this fight and I am not sure how he will respond to it. UFC 231 Prediction: Max Holloway -105
24005 Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. 24006 Valentina Shevchenko
The co-main event tonight is a battle for vacant UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship as former strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (15-2) takes on Valentina Shevchenko (15-3). According to oddsmakers, Shevchenko is the favorite, as she is getting odds of -360 to win. Jedrzejczyk is listed with a money line of +295 to win. Shevchenko was a bantamweight that has moved down to the lower division while Jedrzejczyk is moving up in weight for this fight after losing back-to-back bouts to Rose Namajunas. She did beat Tecia Torres by decision back in July to earn this title fight. Shevchenko had a close decision loss to Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight title in September of 2017, but came back with a submission in win February over Priscilla Cachoeira. Shevchenko should be able to bully Jedrzejczyk tonight. She is the bigger fighter and more powerful. Jedrzejczyk has quick hands, but when she can’t press her opponent, she has struggled. She won’t be able to press this opponent. UFC 231 Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko -360
24013 Alex Oliveira vs. 24013 Gunnar Nelson
In a welterweight bout, Gunnar Nelson (16-3-1) will face Alex Oliveira (19-5-1). Oddsmakers have Nelson as the favorite, giving him odds of -150 to win. Oliveira is listed with a money line of +130 to win. Nelson hasn’t fought since July of 2017 due to injuries. He was considered a rising star in the division. Oliveira is coming off a 39-second KO in September and owns a submission win over Carlos Condit earlier this year as well. Nelson is a grappler while Oliveira is a striker and submission fighter. The long layoff for Nelson concerns me. It’s hard to mimic live fighting in training and I expect his cardio to be impacted. Oliveira is a dangerous opponent and he will look to push a fast pace on the rusty Nelson. UFC 231 Prediction: Alex Oliveira +130