UFC on ESPN 5 goes down this Saturday in Newark, New Jersey and features some of the biggest personalities in the UFC. Here are the best bouts for you to bet on, including two reliable favourites and one underdog who has a great chance of upsetting the odds. On a night with presidential influence, here are the best UFC on ESPN 5 betting tips.
1. Colby Covington (-245) vs Robbie Lawler (+205)
The only thing that Colby Covington (14-1) and Robbie Lawler (28-13) have in common is their love for chaos. It may be the nickname of the former but in reality, it is ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler that brings anarchy into the octagon whenever the cage door closes.
Colby Covington is one of the most controversial personalities in the sport. With a passionate love for MAGA hats and scantily clad women, Covington demands attention wherever he goes. However, regardless of one’s opinion on him, he is an incredibly impressive fighter. Covington uses wild hooks and crazed striking in order to create openings for the clinch. From there, he is brilliant at grinding out opponents and eventually forcing a takedown.
Robbie Lawler doesn’t have time for theatrics. Lawler is one of the toughest men in the sport and seems to have a borderline psychotic affection for knocking people out cold. After winning what is considered by many the greatest fight in UFC history against Rory Macdonald at UFC 189, the California native was immortalised in fight fans memory.
Robbie Lawler is the underdog in this bout, and despite clearly declining in recent years, he may have the perfect antidote to Covington’s style. Lawler has a brilliant jab and great footwork which could cut through Covington’s wild strikes. Lawler is also very skillful in the clinch, both at preventing takedowns and framing up to land significant strikes. Picking Lawler to break his two-fight skid this weekend is a smart move, especially given the odds.
For an in-depth technical breakdown of Covington vs. Lawler, click here.
Tip – Robbie Lawler to win
2. Antonina Shevchenko (-140) vs Lucie Pudilova (+120)
Antonina Shevchenko (7-1) lost her last bout to Roxanne Modafferi via split decision at UFC Fight Night 149. If the decision had gone her way, there is no doubt that she would be a far bigger favourite in her third UFC appearance.
Shevchenko is a brilliant striker and would carve up most women in the division on the feet. There is a clear weakness in her game, and that is her defensive wrestling and ground game.
Lucie Pudilova (8-4) seems to be a cherry-picked opponent in order to return Shevchenko to the win column. Pudilova has never been a fearsome takedown artist and will certainly be game to strike with the Kyrgyzstan native. Although Pudilova can cause serious damage on the feet, as shown by the eye injury she inflicted on Lina Lansberg in her UFC debut, Shevchenko will likely outclass her and win fairly comfortably.
Tip – Antonina Shevchenko to win
3. Trevin Giles (-170) vs Gerald Meerschaert (+150)
Trevin Giles (11-1) is a top prospect in the UFC middleweight division and after losing his last bout to Zak Cummings, the Texan will be looking to make a statement against Gerald Meerschaert (28-11) in what promises to be a thrilling contest. Both fighters are always looking for a finish, and there’s a very realistic chance Giles will finish the fight inside three rounds this weekend.
Giles is a serial finisher and, prior to the Cummings bout, was riding a nine-fight finishing streak. Both men are fairly well-rounded and Meerschaert’s poor cardio may prove to be the deciding factor in this bout. Meerschaert will certainly look to take the fight to the mat as that is undoubtedly where he is strongest.
However, wherever the fight goes it is likely that Giles has an edge. Meerschaert may have slick submissions but has also has eight of his eleven losses coming by way of submission. Giles also has a striking advantage, possessing far more power in his hands than his opponent. Because of this, betting on Giles to win inside the distance is a great bet with attractive odds to round off these UFC on ESPN 5 betting tips.
Tip – Trevin Giles to win inside the distance
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