The UFC in Vegas 31: Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises main card UFC Odds are available. Read on for our complete betting guide and preview on this weekend’s favourite matchups, including updated odds and our free expert UFC picks.
Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises
UFC Lightweight Bout
Saturday, July 17, 2021 – 11:35 PM EDT at Apex Centre
Russian prospect Islam Makhachev has struggled to boost his UFC lightweight rankings because nobody inside the top 10 wants to sign on the dotted line – and can we blame them? Islam has been compared to his friend and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov, owning an elite grappling offense. A dominant 19-1 record has struck fear amongst his peers who circulate above him in the rankings table. Currently ranked #9, almost every fighter above him is a big-name draw, so we can only imagine that Islam will be gifted with a big-name fight should he be victorious this weekend.
Thiago Moises had no qualms in accepting a matchup versus the intimidating Russian to give credit where credit is due. As a life-long Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, he must have confidence that if the fight is grounded, he’ll be able to utilize this skill set. Moises has shown great improvement in his striking techniques alongside his grappling skillset and has handed losses to Michael Johnson, Bobby Green, and Alexander Hernandez during his 3-fight win streak.
The matchup itself is certainly intriguing, as I do believe both men could pose an equal threat in the striking department. With that said, we should expect a wrestling game plan from the heavy favorite in Islam to seek a ground and pound deliverance – which I do believe will happen this weekend.
I can’t trust playing around with Islam UFC odds that have been juiced to the max; however, Moises is yet to be finished during his professional career, and we should expect this contest to survive the test of time. Both fighters are incredibly durable, and as we head into the championship rounds, I can envision Islam and Moises slowing down to draw the fight out into a judges decision.
UFC Best Bet: Over 4 and a ½ rounds at -155 with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Billy Quarantillo vs. Gabriel Benitez
UFC Featherweight Bout
Saturday, July 17, 2021 - 09:35 PM EDT at Apex Centre
The opening odds for his contest made complete sense, but the betting public has taken Florida native Billy Quarantillo from a -125 favorite into a +160 underdog for some unknown reason. Quarantillo (15-3-0) owns an incredible amount of pressure which has caused many of his opponents to crumble; an aggressive pace is followed by suffocating output which has gifted him 12 stoppages during his professional career.
Gabriel Benitez (22-8-0) possesses some slick kicking offence, but his tendency to lay back could cost him a loss on the scorecards (should it reach them). The Mexican trains out of AKA (American Kickboxing Academy), so we should expect a constant evolving skillset. With that said, Quarantillo has shown great ability through his stand up and grappling game, and during a contest where Billy should have remained as the betting favorite – how can we ignore this gift in odds?
I predict Quarantillo can find success wherever the fight takes place. Still, with Benitez great ability to find his feet, I don’t expect the fight to remain on the ground; however, a heavy grappling offence will drain the cardio of Benitez, and this is where I believe Quarantillo will excel. I see a finish in round two or three due to the relentless pressure and damage that Quarantillo dishes out.
UFC Best Bet: Billy Quarantillo at +150 with Intertops (visit our Intertops Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
