UFC 238 Predictions
The UFC returns to PPV tonight when two championships are on the line as part of UFC 238. Here’s some of the fighters we like to prevail tonight.
UFC 238 will be held from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The main card for the event will begin at 10PM ET and air live on PPV as part of ESPN+.
24201 Henry Cejudo vs. 24202 Marlon Moraes
The main event of tonight’s card is for the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship as the Flyweight champ, Henry Cejudo (14-2), takes on Marlon Moraes (22-5-1). According to the latest oddsmakers, Moraes is the favorite in this fight, as he is listed with -145 odds to win while Cejudo is getting +125 odds to win. Cejudo is coming off a 32-second TKO win over the 135-pound champ, TJ Dillashaw, in January in a 125-pound contest. Dillashaw since was stripped of his belt due to a failed drug test. Cejudo has won four straight, including a win over Demetrious Johnson. Moraes has won four straight as well, with the last three coming in the first round. He is an explosive fighter, but hasn’t had a fight to this level yet. Cejudo is battle tested and can bring the fight for 25 minutes and I don’t think Moraes is ready for that. While Moraes is the bigger fighter, he will fatigue quicker and not be as fast. UFC 238 Prediction: Henry Cejudo -145
24205 Jessica Eye vs. 24206 Valentina Shevchenko
The co-main event of tonight’s card features UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko (16-3) defending her belt against Jessica Eye (14-6). According to oddsmakers, Shevchenko is the clear favorite as she has -1600 odds. Eye is listed with a money line of +900 to win. The champ has great hand speed and power and uses that speed to out-point her opponents and slowly beat them down. Eye is a similar fighter, but she doesn’t have the same power and her grappling probably isn’t as strong. The issue here is the odds. While the champ definitely looks better on paper, Eye is still a capable fighter with huge odds. I don’t want to bet $1,600 to win $100, so I think Eye has the better value in tonight’s bout. UFC 238 Prediction: Jessica Eye +900
24209 Donald Cerrone vs. 24210 Tony Ferguson
Another featured bout is a lightweight clash between Tony Ferguson (24-3) taking on Donald Cerrone (36-11). According to oddsmakers Ferguson is favored to win, as he is getting -150 odds. Cerrone is listed with a +130 money line to prevail. Ferguson is on an 11-fight win streak, including a TKO of former champ Anthony Pettis. Cerrone has won his last three, but just fought in a five-round battle with Al Iaquinta on May 4. He can’t be healed up from that fight and is taking on a guy that applies constant pressure. I see Cerrone fatiguing against Ferguson, who will get him to the ground and secure a submission. UFC 238 Prediction: Tony Ferguson -150