UFC 245 Predictions
Three championship bouts highlight a big night for the UFC tonight. Here’s our predictions for the title bouts at UFC 245.
UFC 245 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+.
24401 Colby Covington vs. 24402 Kamaru Usman
The main event is for the UFC Welterweight Championship, with Kamaru Usman (15-1) defending the belt against Colby Covington (15-1). According to oddsmakers, Usman is favored to retain, as he is listed with odds of -180 to prevail. Covington is listed with odds of +155 to win the belt. These two have a heated rivalry going and both have very similar styles. They both like to grapple and get their opponent to the ground. Covington is a little more aggressive while Usman is a bit patient. That could be an issue in the early stages, but Covington will have a hard time pushing his pace for five rounds. Usman has grinded out decision wins in four straight, including his title victory over Tyron Woodley last March. Covington has won five straight by decision, but I think he is fighting an uphill battle tonight. Usman has fought the tougher opponents and shows more athleticism in his all-around ability. I think the champ out-grinds the grinder tonight and gets a decision victory. UFC 245 Prediction: Kamaru Usman -180
24409 Alexander Volkanovski vs. 24410 Max Holloway
Holloway (21-4) defends his UFC Featherweight Championship against top contender Volkanovski (20-1) as part of the co-main event tonight. Oddsmakers have Holloway as the favorite, giving him odds of -180 to win. Volkanovski is getting a money line of +155 to win the belt. Volkanovski has not lost in six years and has slowly fought his way to a title shot. He’s got good power in his hands, but has also grinded out decisions. However, he has never fought a five-round fight in the UFC. Holloway has owned the 145-pound division, besting Jose Aldo twice, beating Brian Ortega and Frankie Edgar in recent years. Holloway pushes a crazy pace and just rabbit jabs opponents into wilting. Volkanovski is going to get pushed unlike anything he has before and I don’t think he will respond well to it. I see the champ finishing this in the fourth or fifth round with his relentless pressure. UFC 245 Prediction: Max Holloway -180
24405 Germaine De Randamie vs. 24406 Amanada Nunes
The UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship is up for grabs when Nunes (18-4) faces off with De Randamie (9-3). Oddsmakers have Nunes as a -315 favorite against the challenger, who is listed with odds of +265 to win. Randamie was a former champ that was stripped when she refused to fight Cyborg Santos. Nunes stepped in and knocked her out in 51 seconds. Nunes has been absolutely dominant. He striking power and accuracy has been the best in UFC history and more than any opponent can take. The question is, is she still hungry for an opponent like this? After beating the likes of Ronda Rousey, Cyborg and Holly Holm, is this a fight that still motivates her to work. That’s a dangerous concern against a strong fighter like Randamie that can control the fight if she gets a hold of Nunes. Still, I have to trust that Nunes will bring her best. At her best, Randamie is likely to get knocked out. UFC 245 Prediction: Amanda Nunes -315