Top UFC Pick: Namajunas ML (-210) [2.10u to win 1u] at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
The Apex in Las Vegas is back on the agenda Saturday. Top contending women’s flyweight contenders will exchange leather for the evening’s main event, and we’re covering all your betting needs at the best sportsbooks.
Read on for our complete betting guide with an early preview of the UFC Vegas 89 main event clash between Amanda Ribas and Rose Namajunas, including updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC first-look betting picks, predictions and analysis.
UFC Vegas 89 Information
- When: Saturday, March 23, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET
- Where: UFC Apex, Las Vegas
- Scheduled Bouts: 13
- Main Event: Amanda Ribas vs. Rose Namajunas
- Moneyline Probability: Ribas – 33.7% (+197) Namajunas – 67.7% (-210)
UFC Vegas 89 Main Event: Ribas vs. Namajunas
Rose “Thug” Namajunas
Considering her career accomplishments – two-time UFC strawweight champion – it’s wild to think that Rose Namajunas is just 31 years old. She’s been more inactive than we’d like over the past few years, but she’s undeniably one of the most entertaining women’s strikers we’ve seen bless the octagon.
Boasting two wins over Weili Zhang, she’s the only competitor to overcome the fierce Chinese superstar, and with a UFC tenure dating back to 2014, experience and elite-level competition is no issue, having spent the majority of her professional career under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner.
Namajunas Best ML Odds: -210 at BetOnline
Amanda Ribas
She’s one of the most adorable fighters on the roster, but you wouldn’t know this once the octagon door closes. Brazil’s Amanda Ribas began her UFC stint with a four-fight win streak, and the hype was real. Unfortunately, a 2021 loss to Marina Rodriguez kicked off an inconsistent career.
Alternating wins and losses have been the story for Ribas of late. In addition, she’s struggled to cement herself at a particular weight, with stints at flyweight and strawweight alternating just as much as her win/loss streak.
Ribas Best ML Odds: +197 at Bookmaker
UFC Vegas 89: Tale of the Tape
UFC Vegas 89 Skillset Analysis: Styles Make Fights
Offensively, we all want to scream ‘Thug Rose’ in a Daniel Cormier voice when the former champ is on her game. Unfortunately, and it’s been a common occurrence in recent bouts, sometimes she doesn’t seem in the game.
It’s been said that focus has been an issue for Rose, and it can be difficult to predict which version will turn up. If we could guarantee that we get the Rose versus Weili version and not the Rose versus Carla Esparza version, she should be lined at -500.
However, what will we receive this weekend? Striking-wise, she’s almost perfect when she’s on! Her lightning-fast hands are beautifully mixed with powerful kicks, and while she isn’t the greatest wrestler, her jiu-jitsu game is on point.
Ribas is well-versed and ranked in the top 10 of two divisions. Regarding her flaws, we’d have to point to her defensive attributes, which will be a huge issue if Rose puts on a striking clinic like we saw in the Jedrzejczyk and Zhang bouts.
The most notable path to victory for the Brazilian is undoubtedly her ability to keep going. She’s like an energizer bunny whenever fights go into later rounds, but she has to rely on Rose failing to show up, and this isn’t a viable path to take when our monies are at stake.
The UFC Vegas 89 Best Bet Formula
The available UFC odds have placed Rose as the betting favorite, and rightfully so. As I don’t envision Ribas's grappling ability preventing long periods of standing offenses, it’s difficult to fade the former champ.
It’s not an easy pick, but as far as achievable paths to victory go, Rose’s superior striking abilities cannot be ignored. Ribas’ low hands and willingness to eat shots won’t serve her well, and I wouldn’t be shocked if an early round one or two KO/TKO puts an end to this contest.
UFC Pick: Namajunas ML (-210) at BetOnline [2.10u to win 1u]
*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.
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