Here is a look at UFC 266 betting lines, as we are currently less than a month out from the pay-per-view event, which is scheduled for Sept. 25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight title against Brian Ortega, Valentina Shevchenko will strive to defend her flyweight belt against Lauren Murphy, and Nick Diaz will return to face Robbie Lawler in a rematch more than 17 years in the making.
With so many great fights on the ledger, let’s take a look at the current UFC 266 betting odds.
Many bookies, including ones featured on New Betting Sites, are taking action on the pay-per-view card.
UFC 266 Betting
In addition to the two title fights and the return of Nick Diaz, the main card also features Curtis Blaydes vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Jessica Andrade vs. Cynthia Calvillo.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega
Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega will settle their rivalry in the Octagon after going head to head as coaches on Season 29 of The Ultimate Fighter. Volkanovski can be had around -175, while Ortega is a +145 underdog, according to an average of the UFC 266 betting odds.
Volkanovski, who is 2-0 against Max Holloway, has also beaten the likes of Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes to reach a 22-1 professional record en route to the featherweight title.
Ortega rebounded from a title shot loss to Holloway in December 2018 with a clinic against “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung in October 2020. Ortega’s striking has never looked better in his career, and he’ll look to put his newfound hands and arsenal of guillotine and triangle chokes to the test against the well-rounded game of Volkanovski.
The line is close enough that those who fancy Volkanovski may not mind laying the odds to take him to defend his title against Ortega.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy
Valentina Shevchenko, who is between -1000 and -1500, will look to secure her sixth flyweight title defense when she meets Lauren Murphy, who is, on average, a +750 underdog.
Since defeating Joanna Jedrzejczyk to earn the flyweight strap, Shevchenko has turned aside five title challengers: Jessica Andrade, Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, Katlyn Chookagian and Jennifer Maia. Shevchenko has looked nigh unbeatable since dropping to her natural weight class of flyweight.
The betting lines reflect similar to what they’ve been throughout Shevchenko’s title reign. Bettors confident in “The Bullet” retaining her belt over “Lucky” Lauren Murphy may want to consider parlaying the champion or looking at some prop bets.
Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler
Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler first met in the UFC Octagon on April 2, 2004, at UFC 47. Diaz knocked Lawler out in the second round. More than 17 years later, the two will clash in a five-round welterweight featured bout. UFC 266 betting odds have the two at a virtual dead heat. Most sites have Lawler as the slight favorite at -120 and Diaz a slight underdog at -105. However, Lawler can be had as a -105 underdog on a couple of sites, with Diaz at -115.
Following their first fight, both men would go on to become champions: Lawler the welterweight UFC king, while Diaz held the Strikeforce welterweight strap.
Diaz holds wins over Lawler, Paul Daley, BJ Penn, Gleison Tibau, and an overturned gogoplata against prime Takanori Gomi after Diaz tested positive for marijuana.
Lawler will look to break a four-fight losing streak. His career wins include Johny Hendricks, Carlos Condit, two over Rory MacDonald, and Matt Brown.
At near-even, bettors can pick their predicted winner in a straight bet without fear of laying too high of odds.
Curtis Blaydes vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Curtis Blaydes enters the fight as a sizeable -315 favorite over “Bigi Boy” Rozenstruik, who can be had around +250. Blaydes enters the fight off an uppercut KO loss to Derrick Lewis, while Rozenstruik is coming off a KO win over Augusto Sakai.
Bettors confident in Blaydes getting back in the win column should consider using him as a parlay stuffer or bet on the method, as -315 is a steep price to pay, especially at heavyweight. Rozenstruik, should he win the bout, will likely do it by knockout, so some extra value can be squeezed out of the T/KO prop on Rozenstruik.
Jessica Andrade vs. Cynthia Calvillo
Rounding out the main card is a women’s flyweight bout with title implications. While Shevchenko recently finished Andrade, Calvillo could possibly secure a title shot with an impressive win.
The UFC 266 betting odds favor Andrade, as the former strawweight champion is pegged at -275. Calvillo can be had as a +215 underdog. Bettors confident in Calvillo upsetting Andrade can slam her moneyline without fear of laying odds, though Andrade bettors may want to consider inserting her in a parlay.
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