UFC 239 Predictions
Two UFC championships are on the line tonight when UFC 239 takes place in Las Vegas. Here are some predictions for the main card this evening.
UFC 239 will be held from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card for the event will begin at 10PM ET and air live on PPV as part of ESPN+.
24301 Thiago Santos vs. 24302 Jon Jones
The main event of tonight’s card is for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship when Jon Jones (24-1) defends his title against Thiago Santos (21-6). According to the latest oddsmakers, Jones is the clear favorite in this fight, as he is getting -565 odds to win. Santos is listed with +435 odds to prevail. Jones is essentially an unbeaten UFC champ that uses his length and strength to overwhelm opponents. He can out-strike most and out-wrestle anyone he can’t out-strike. Santos has won four straight, three by KO. However, he hasn’t faced the level of competition that Jones has and is likely to be swallowed up in the moment. Jones will keep Santos in his striking range and slowly break him down before a mid-round finish. UFC 239 Prediction: Jon Jones -565
24305 Holly Holm vs. 24306 Amanda Nunes
The co-main event of tonight’s card features UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes (17-4) defending her belt against former champ Holly Holm (12-4). According to oddsmakers, Nunes is the clear favorite to win, as she has -410 odds to win. Holm is listed with a money line of +340 to prevail. Nunes is a two-weight champion and arguably the best female fighter in UFC history. She has won eight straight fights, including a 51-second KO of Cyborg in December. Holm presents a great challenge for her, as she is a technically skilled striker. Holm was able to go five rounds with Cyborg, but still lost. While she’s got skills, she doesn’t have the power that Nunes has. Holm can’t grapple her way to a win and I don’t see her knocking out the champ. I like Nunes to do more damage and win a decision. UFC 239 Prediction: Amanda Nunes -410
24309 Jorge Masvidal vs. 24310 Ben Askren
Another featured bout tonight is a welterweight clash between Askren (19-0) and Masvidal (33-13). According to oddsmakers, Askren is favored to win. He is listed with odds of -215 to win, while Masvidal has odds of +185 to prevail. Askren is unbeaten, but was nearly finished by Robbie Lawler in March before scoring a controversial submission win. Masvidal is a guy that can fight anywhere and applies a lot of pressure. I think he will be able to overcome the struggles of fighting a strong wrestler like Askren. Though he may lose the first two rounds, I think he will come on strong late and find a way to finish Askren, who is a touch overrated in my eyes. UFC 239 Prediction: Jorge Masvidal +185