Wood vs. Grasso First Look | UFC Fight Night 205 Betting Picks, Odds and Predictions (Archive)
The UFC returns to American state waters with a Fight Night and a crowd in attendance for the first time in over two years this Saturday. Women’s flyweight contenders will throw down in the evening’s co-main event, and we’re supplementing all your wagering needs.
Read on for our complete betting guide taking a first look at Joanne Wood vs. Alexa Grasso, including the updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC picks, predictions, and analysis.
Joanne Wood vs. Alexa Grasso
UFC Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event Bout
Saturday, March 26, 2022 – 10:00 PM EDT at Nationwide Arena
Joanne Wood
- Pro MMA Record: (15-7-0) (5 KOs, 1 submission)
- Age: 36
- Height: 5'6"
- Reach: 65.5"
- Trains With: Syndicate MMA
- Origin Fighting Style: Muay Thai
After being touted as a potential contender for Valentina Shevchenko's flyweight strap in 2020, Joanne Wood, previously known as Joanne Calderwood, suffered a difficult two years with a 1-3 record during this time.
Following a 4-month layoff, Wood is wasting no time in returning to action in an attempt to avenge her 2-fight losing streak. It's a shame the Scottish lass couldn't perform closer to home on last weekend's Fight Night London card, but her striking expertise won't alter no matter where the event is located.
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Stemming from a background in muay thai, Wood is a dangerous striker at range and in the pocket. But aged 36, she isn't getting any younger and will face a bright prospect in Columbus on Saturday evening.
Joanne Wood Best Available Odds: +200 at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Alexa Grasso
- Pro MMA Record: (13-3-0) (4 KOs)
- Age: 28
- Height: 5'5"
- Reach: 66.0"
- Training With: Lobo Gym MMA
- Origin Fighting Style: MMA
As the pride of women's MMA in Mexico, Alexa Grasso continues her journey within the fight world that could undoubtedly end with her becoming a title contender.
Grasso made it impossible for the UFC to ignore her talents; she remained undefeated on the regional circuit and eventually plowed through the competition under the Invicta FC banner before signing with the UFC.
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Having suffered her first professional career losses inside the UFC, valuable experience has been earned at the sport's highest level. With that said, Grasso has maintained a positive record (5-3) since joining the promotion whilst breaching the top-10 rankings.
Alexa Grasso Best Available Odds: -235 at BetOnline
Wood Fight Style and How Can She Beat Grasso?
Wood will often produce a high volume of strikes; she's no stranger to ending a 3-round fight with over 100 strikes on the counter.
However, close decision losses have regularly plagued Wood, so she'll want to raise her aggression when matched with such a firecracker like Grasso.
I don't envision much grappling from either woman this weekend, but the muay thai clinch of Wood is a positive defensive tactic that could keep Grasso from attempting to close the distance.
Grasso Fight Style and How Can She Beat Wood?
Grasso isn't the greater kicker of the two, but her boxing offense is more technical, and I can envision her preciseness winning the rounds in the judge's eyes.
Grasso will not give Wood room to deliver a muay thai masterclass. Although Wood does have the clinch experience from her martial arts background, I anticipate Grasso to be the more potent force in grappling exchanges.
Betting Picks and UFC Fight Night 205 Odds
The available odds at Bookmakers Review aren't desirable, and if you're looking to put your stake on a moneyline, it's a dog or pass situation.
However, I expect Grasso to win this contest with the more damaging shots, forward pressure, a more sustainable level of cardio, and most importantly, heart!
We'll raise the value by predicting Grasso to win on the judge's scorecards, she does possess a lethal set of hands, but most of her career wins end via decision.
UFC Pick: Grasso on Points (-115) [1.15u to win 1u] at BetOnline
*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.