UFC 258 Main Card Pay-Per-View: Five fights, Two friends & the Welterweight Championship.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been providing an endless supply of entertainment during the pandemic, and it does not stop in the first quarter of 2021. After a successful month spent on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, Dana White and his production crew return to the Apex Centre in Las Vegas for their first pay-per-view event of the year on American soil.
Teammates of Sanford MMA have been matched up to compete for Kamaru Usman’s 170lb Welterweight title, and who better to spoil Usman’s winning streak than somebody who knows him better than anyone in the division.
Let us take a closer look at this weekend’s main card contests and attempt to predict the outcome.
Julian Marquez vs. Maki Pitolo
UFC Middleweight Bout
The oddsmakers offer some great value on this weekend’s card, but perhaps one price we should not ignore is the first fight of the main card between Julian Marquez and Maki Pitolo.
Julian Marquez returns after a two-year layoff, and before his injury looked like a menace in the cage. He’s comfortable wherever the fight takes place and has been known to hate the judge’s scorecards.
Maki Pitolo has spent fifteen of his twenty professional fights finishing the opposition and should assist the likelihood of this fight ending inside the distance.
UFC Best Bet: Under 2.5 rounds @ -138 with Betway [1.38u returns 1u profit]
Jim Miller vs. Bobby Green
UFC Lightweight Bout
Two well-known names amongst the UFC’s lightweight division will compete for OG supremacy on Saturday evening. The slick, fast boxing output of Bobby Green will contend against the high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills of Jim Miller.
Bobby Green has finally managed to string a decent run of fights on his record after spending eight years in the company, and a 3-1 record during 2020 now sets Green up for a notable name fight in Jim Miller.
The most viable path to victory for Jim Miller will fall on his BJJ skillset, and although this is entirely possible, It’s hard not to side with the momentum that’s followed Green in recent bouts.
UFC Best Bet: Bobby Green to win by decision @ -120 with Betway [1.20u returns 1u profit]
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Ian Heinisch
UFC Middleweight Bout
Former title challenger and regular face amongst UFC welterweights and middleweights Kelvin Gastelum will attempt to break his losing streak versus Ian Heinisch.
A significant drop in competition level could be just what Kelvin needs; he’s currently riding a three-fight losing streak which has been the worst run during his professional MMA career.
The power in Heinisch’s hands is a problem for sure, but I anticipate this fight playing into Kelvin’s hands by dictating the pace and mixing up some grappling offence with his strikes.
UFC Best Bet: Kelvin Gastelum to win @ -227 with William Hill [2.27u returns 1u profit]
Maycee Barber vs. Alexa Grasso
UFC Women’s Flyweight Bout
One of the most challenging matchups to predict on the entire fight card is between two young female contenders with high-level striking output.
Most comfortable when boxing, Alexa Grasso will face the hyped-up prospect in Maycee Barber.
Before her loss to Roxanne Modafferi, Barber had defeated all opponents inside the distance. An apparent power and striking advantage led the twenty-two year straight into the UFC flyweight division elite.
The public has quickly turned-on Barber since her heavy odds last time out; she is now the underdog versus Grasso after opening as the -130 favourite.
The value in this fight lays with the underdog, in a 50/50 contest we can let the odds decide for us.
UFC Best Bet: Maycee Barber @ +110 with Bet365 [1u returns 1.10u profit]
UFC 258 Welterweight Championship Main Event
Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns
UFC Welterweight Bout
at Apex Center
If you are interested in this weekend’s complete in-depth breakdown & predictions of the main event, follow the link HERE.
