UFC Vegas 54 Best Bets
We’re back with our favorite selection of UFC main card best bets.
UFC Vegas 54: Blachowicz vs. Rakic main card UFC odds are available. Read on for our complete betting guide and preview on this week’s favorite main card betting picks, including updated odds and free expert UFC Fight Night betting predictions.
UFC Vegas 54 Main Event Best Bet
Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic
UFC Light Heavyweight Main Event Bout
UFC in Vegas 54 takes place on Saturday, May 14th, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Fight Pass and ESPN+.
Jan Blachowicz
Professional MMA Record: 28-9-1
Knockout Record: 8-2
Submission Record: 9-2
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 3.59
SIG Strike Accuracy: 57.89%
Takedown Average: 1.14
Takedown Accuracy: 53.33%
Submission Average: 0.21
The former UFC light heavyweight champion – often referred to as “Polish Power” – returns to the octagon following his title loss and an 8-month layoff to take on one of the most dominant up-and-comers in the 205lb division.
Hats off to Blachowicz; he’s accepted one of the toughest fights available. With that said, he should be confident in his abilities as he’s defeated some of the highest level of fighters inside the UFC.
Aleksandar Rakic
Professional MMA Record: 14-2-1
Knockout Record: 9-0
Submission Record: 1-1
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 4.23
SIG Strike Accuracy: 66.84%
Takedown Average: 0.75
Takedown Accuracy: 25.00%
Submission Average: 0.19
Aleksandar Rakic (6-1 UFC record) has almost remained unblemished since joining the UFC; outside of a battle with Volkan Oezdemir, he’s undoubtedly earnt his stripes to compete with the promotion’s elite.
Rakic stems from a boxing/kickboxing background, and this can often cause critics to neglect his wrestling base, a base that’s fared well for him inside the octagon.
Blachowicz vs. Rakic Fight Analysis and UFC Vegas 54 Betting Odds
Sportsbooks across the board support Rakic in the betting odds, but -190 is just too much credit, in my opinion. I understand that age and speed favor Rakic, but we need to remember what happened to Dominick Reyes when Blachowicz was up against age and speed.
The most viable wagering method for approaching this fight stems from the round betting; I don’t believe either fighter will give enough room to allow a finish, and I envision a technical striking battle with a methodical pace.
UFC Vegas 54 Betting Pick: Over 4½ rounds at +100 with BetOnline
UFC Vegas 54 Co-Main Event Best Bet
Ryan Spann vs. Ion Cutelaba
UFC Light Heavyweight Bout
UFC Vegas 54 takes place on Saturday, May 14th, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Fight Pass and ESPN+.
Ryan Spann
Professional MMA Record: 19-7-0
Knockout Record: 5-3
Submission Record: 11-2
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 3.43
SIG Strike Accuracy: 46.09%
Takedown Average: 1.58
Takedown Accuracy: 38.46%
Submission Average: 1.58
Dana White Contender Series alumni Ryan Spann is one ranking position away from breaking into the top 15 of the division, but with a higher ranking comes an elite level of opponent, and that’s precisely what Ion Cutelaba is.
Spann has found a lot of success with his fight-ending power; with a 6’5″ stature and an 81.5″ reach, the opposition will often struggle to avoid the oncoming knockout blows.
Ion Cutelaba
Professional MMA Record: 16-6-1
Knockout Record: 12-2
Submission Record: 2-2
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 4.91
SIG Strike Accuracy: 45.70%
Takedown Average: 4.39
Takedown Accuracy: 60.00%
Submission Average: 0.00
Ion Cutelaba – despite being just 28-years-old – has already garnered some of the most valuable experience in the octagon. With a decorated background in sambo wrestling, most are surprised when he delivers knockout stoppages of his own.
Like his opponent this weekend, the top 15 rankings aren’t far away, and despite being ranked lower than Spann, he’s notably fought a much higher level of competition.
Spann vs. Cutelaba Fight Analysis and UFC Vegas 54 Betting Odds
The available UFC odds favor Cutelaba, and the -221 does reflect the martial artist who possesses the more well-rounded skillset. However, it only takes one clean connection from Spann, and it could be night-night for the Moldavan.
Again, I’m more comfortable approaching this fight in the under/over round betting market. But this time, I anticipate one of these two fighters going to sleep with the first half of the bout. In one corner, we have one-punch knockout power with Spann, and on the flip side, we’re looking at an elite grappler with ground and pound capability that can end a fight before it even begins.
UFC Vegas 54 Betting Pick: Under 1½ rounds at -140 with BetOnline