UFC 246 Predictions
One of the UFC’s biggest names returns to the cage tonight for the main event of UFC 246. Can Conor McGregor get a victory upon his return?
UFC 246 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+.
24101 Donald Cerrone vs. 24102 Conor McGregor
The main event for tonight’s card is a welterweight bout featuring former UFC featherweight and lightweight champ Conor McGregor (21-4) battling with Donald Cerrone (36-13). According to oddsmakers, McGregor is the clear favorite in this bout, as he is getting odds of -320 to win. Cerrone is listed with a money line of +270. Both men are striking-based and this fight should have plenty of fireworks. However, the UFC knows McGregor is their cash cow and can’t have him losing another fight anytime too soon. This feels like he is being fed an easy victory. While Cerrone has talent, he has never won the big fight. McGregor is quicker with his punches than Cerrone and has better footwork. I think he lands the big strikes early and is able to finish the fight in the first two rounds. UFC 246 Prediction: Conor McGregor -320
24113 Raquel Pennington vs. 24114 Holly Holm
The co-main event is a rematch in the women’s bantamweight division with Holly Holm (12-5) taking on Raquel Pennington (10-7). Oddsmakers have Holm as the slight favorite, as she is getting odds of -135 to win. Pennington is listed with a money line of +115 to win. These two met back in February of 2015 with Holm earning a split decision. Holm has struggled with some decisions over her career, as she fights a very conservative style without throwing a lot of strikes. What she does do well is avoid takedowns and footwork. Pennington doesn’t have the same striking, but she pushes forward and is the better grappler. I think she has improved more over the five years than Holm has. She will find ways to get inside the reach of Holm and win by being the more active fighter. UFC 246 Prediction: Raquel Pennington +115
24105 Anthony Pettis vs. 24106 Diego Ferreira
Another featured bout tonight is a lightweight clash between Anthony Pettis (22-9) taking on Diego Ferreira (16-2). Oddsmakers see Ferreira as the favorite in this bout, as he is getting odds of -230 to prevail. Pettis is listed with odds of +190 to win. Pettis is a former UFC champ that has powerful kicks and unorthodox striking, but he has struggled with his grappling and being able to grind-out wins. Ferreira has won five straight coming in, three by decision. His ability to push the pace and grind out fights is what should make the difference here. If Pettis doesn’t land the big blow, he really can’t win. I think Ferreira will be able to avoid that big kick or punch and earn a decision win. UFC 246 Prediction: Diego Ferreira -230