The UFC returns to our screens for another action-filled fight card from the Apex Center in Las Vegas. Top-ranked light heavyweight contenders Johnny Walker and Jamahal Hill will meet in the center of the octagon for this weekend’s main event.
Read on for our complete betting guide taking a first look at Walker and Hill, including updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC betting picks, predictions, and analysis.
UFC Light Heavyweight Main Event Bout
Saturday, February 19, 2022 – 10:05 PM EST at UFC Apex Center
Boasting a professional MMA career that stems back to 2013, Brazilian national Johnny Walker entered the UFC roster with a significant amount of hype behind his name. Initially, he lived up to the hype by finishing his first three opponents inside the first round. Still, a following two-fight losing streak quickly exposed Walker when faced with the light heavyweight divisions elite.
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Aged just 29-years-old, title aspirations are far from over. Walker was known as a quick starter, as 17 of his 18 professional wins have been won inside the distance. The issues he stumbled upon were handling fighters who could weather the storm he created.
However, once the experience assists Walker in biding his time and his fight intelligence is raised, the light heavyweight division has a serious problem on its hands.
Johnny Walker Best Available Odds: To Win ML (+210) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
From one light heavyweight prospect to an even fresher one, Chi-Town's own Jamahal Hill returns to the octagon just two months after knocking out Jimmy Crute in the first round.
Chicago born and raised, Hill surrendered an opportunity to play basketball and instead enrolled with a mixed martial arts class aged 17. His career choice wouldn’t fail him; after just 5 professional bouts, he defeated Dequan Townsend, who had twenty-six pro bouts to his name.
With a mere five years of professional experience, Hill has maintained an impressive pro MMA record (9-1), despite suffering his first career defeat to Paul Craig since joining the UFC. Following a 3-1 start for the promotion, Hill now enters his first main event, with a chance to position himself within the grasp of the top-ten rankings.
Jamahal Hill Available Odds: To Win ML (-240) at BetOnline
Walker Fight Style and How Can Walker Defeat Hill?
Walker’s most glaring attribute was his finishing ability and aggression, but since joining John Kavanagh at SBG Ireland, we haven’t seen this style. And although he needed a sense of calm adding to his skill set, he’s now gone 1-3 since the change.
Of course, Walker’s initial style wouldn’t work inside the top-ten rankings, but he will need to find a balance to succeed versus Hill.
Heavy hands, agile strikes such as flying knees and high kicks, there’s no questioning the danger that Walker presents, but he’ll need to let these weapons go early to overcome Hill.
Hill Fight Style and How Can Hill Defeat Walker?
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, Hill rarely fights as the more petite man. However, should Hill avoid a brawl and find his jabbing range early, the fight is his to lose.
I was surprised when Hill defeated Crute; he’s showing a fast progression at the highest level. Incredible striking skills behind a great set of boxing fundamentals have given his opponents nothing but trouble.
With excellent takedown defense and excellent head movement, I believe Hill can eventually break down all of the incoming attacks that Walker will present. In a contest I expect to surpass the second round, he should dictate the stand-up war with ease.
The available odds at Bookmakers Review favor Hill, but I cannot support the -240 price tag. Despite my lack of trust in Walker, he’s still one of the top finishers in the light heavyweight division.
The over 1 and ½ round mark shouldn’t be too much of a sweat for our UFC Picks, as I expect both men to show a tentative approach with respect to one another’s finishing ability.
UFC Vegas 48 Pick: Over 1 ½ Rounds (-125) [1.25u returns 1u profit] at GTbets (visit our GTbets 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.