UFC Vegas 55 Best Bets
We’re back with our favorite selection of UFC main card best bets.
The UFC Vegas 55: Holm vs. Vieira 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 55 Main Event Best Bet
Holly Holm vs. Ketlen Vieira
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Main Event Bout
UFC Vegas 55 takes place on Saturday, May 21st, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Fight Pass and ESPN+.
Holly Holm
Professional MMA Record: 14-5-0
Knockout Record: 8-1
Submission Record: 0-1
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 3.16
SIG Strike Accuracy: 45.44%
Takedown Average: 0.81
Takedown Accuracy: 30.56%
Submission Average: 0.07
Holly Holm cemented herself in the UFC history books when decapitating Ronda Rousey to become the UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion back in 2015. And although it’s been a rocky path for “The Preacher’s Daughter” since this career highlight, all of her octagon losses have come against current or former championship holders.
Aged 40, we haven’t seen Holm inside the octagon since 2020, but she’s notably riding the first two-fight win streak since her title-winning glory days.
Ketlen Vieira
Professional MMA Record: 12-2-0
Knockout Record: 2-1
Submission Record: 4-0
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 3.07
SIG Strike Accuracy: 49.13%
Takedown Average: 1.71
Takedown Accuracy: 46.43%
Submission Average: 0.39
Ketlen Vieira has the opportunity to put a stamp on the women’s 135lb division, should she overcome the talented striking offense of Holly Holm this weekend.
Boasting exceptional skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, Vieira has spent most of her life competing in the aforementioned grappling skillsets and is a former national wrestling champion of Brazil.
Last time out, Vieira defeated the former women’s champion Miesha Tate, but can she make it a trend of beating UFC legends this Saturday evening?
Holm vs. Vieira Fight Analysis and UFC Vegas 55 Betting Odds
Sportsbooks across the board support Holm and her chances of victory with an opening line of -210, a price that is continuing to fluctuate and is now sitting at -250.
Holm should be the rightful favorite as her takedown defense has been solid during her professional career, but the two-year layoff, in combination with age, is undoubtedly a concern.
Instead of paying juice on the Holm moneyline, I’d rather pay juice on the over 4 ½ rounds. No matter who wins this contest, I don’t expect a KO/TKO or submission stoppage as both women present a trustworthy amount of durability.
UFC Vegas 55 Betting Pick: Over 4½ rounds at -220 with BetOnline
UFC Vegas 55 Co-Main Event Best Bet
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Michel Pereira
UFC Welterweight Bout
UFC Vegas 55 takes place on Saturday, May 21st, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Fight Pass and ESPN+.
Santiago Ponzinibbio
Professional MMA Record: 29-5-0
Knockout Record: 15-3
Submission Record: 6-0
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 4.79
SIG Strike Accuracy: 41.86%
Takedown Average: 0.51
Takedown Accuracy: 33.33%
Submission Average: 0.00
Unfortunate layoffs and periods of inactivity have stunted the growth of UFC’s Santiago Ponzinibbio. However, the Argentine kickboxer has still delivered a fair share of memorable octagon moments during his eight-year journey under the promotion.
Ponz is 35-years-old, and following a three-year absence, he hasn’t quite looked the same, going 1-2 with a knockout loss to Jingliang Li and a split decision defeat to Geoff Neal. His prime fighting years could be behind him, but the American Top Team athlete is still a top-20 competitor with the striking ability to keep any contender on their toes.
Michel Pereira
Professional MMA Record: 27-11-0
Knockout Record: 10-1
Submission Record: 7-1
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 4.71
SIG Strike Accuracy: 57.60%
Takedown Average: 1.84
Takedown Accuracy: 55.00%
Submission Average: 0.67
Michel Pereira may never win a championship, and there’s a chance he’ll never even fight for a title. Still, the fighting style and enthusiasm he brings to the cage have positioned him as an unforgettable fighter.
As the Brazilian born approaches the top-15 rankings within the welterweight division riding a 4-fight win streak, Ponzinibbio could be Pereira’s ticket into fighting the most elite 170lbers in the world and aged just 28-years-old, we could bear witness to evolving top-10 challenger.
Ponzinibbio vs. Pereira Fight Analysis and UFC Vegas 55 Betting Odds
The available UFC odds favor Pereira at -125, but the sportsbooks opened him up as a +130 underdog. The betting public has shifted the value, and this is no surprise as the Argentines recent outings have been lacklustre compared to past performances.
I’m struggling to find value in betting the moneyline for either fighter. I believe Ponz is the superior striker, but with the age factor and suspect chin, it’s difficult to trust him versus the hyperactive style of Pereira.
With that said, the original favorite is now available at plus money, and I can’t ignore the more experienced and precise striker in this contest when the betting value has completed flipped – take the dog.
UFC Vegas 55 Betting Pick: Ponzinibbio moneyline at +108 with Heritage Sports