← Back to Bookmakers Review
Archived

UFC Vegas 66 First Look Cannonier vs. Strickland Betting Picks and Prediction (Archive)

Originally published on December 12, 2022

UFC Pick: Cannonier To Win (+109) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)

BetOnline logo
Cannonier To Win (+109)
Visit Site

UFC Vegas 66 will close out the calendar year, and we’re being treated to a spectacular slug-fest of the main event for the final card of 2022.

Heavy-hitter Jared Cannonier will meet in the middle of the octagon with a relentless striker in Sean Strickland.

Read on for our complete betting guide with an early preview of the UFC Vegas 66 main event clash between Cannonier and Strickland, including updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC first-look betting picks, predictions, and analysis.

PLAY NOW: Win $1,000 + 10,000 BMR Baller Coins With BMR’s Free-To-Play NCAAF Bowls Contest

Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland

UFC Vegas 66 Middleweight Main Event Bout

Saturday, December 17, 2022 – 09:05 PM EST at UFC Apex

Jared “The Killa Gorilla” Cannonier

Representing the MMA Lab gym in Glendale, Arizona, Jared Cannonier has been a staple heavy-hitter under the UFC banner for the past 7 years. Following a stint in the light heavyweight division, Cannonier dropped to the 185lb division. The last time we saw him in the octagon was a middleweight title opportunity versus Israel Adesanya.

Despite losing to Stylebender via unanimous decision, Cannonier proved his worth as an elite competitor and notably has the power to flatline opponents 2 weight classes above the division he’s currently fighting in.

One More Run at Gold?

Aged 38 years old, time isn’t on Cannonier’s side. However, with a 5-2 record at middleweight and a new champion in the shape of Alex Pereira, another title opportunity could be on the horizon should the “Killa Gorilla” convincingly defeat Sean Strickland in the final UFC main event of 2022.

Jared Cannonier Combat Sports Accomplishments

Jared Cannonier Best Available Odds: (+109) at BetOnline

Sean Strickland

After 8 successful years fighting for the UFC, Sean Strickland has reached legendary status. His career trajectory was momentarily stunted when he was involved in a near-death road accident in 2018. Still, his two-year absence was followed up with an emphatic return to the octagon, where he amassed a 5-1 record between 2020-2022.

Strickland has become a household figure in the UFC. Stories from a disorderly childhood are no doubt reasoning behind his unique personality. When this is combined with a fierce striking battle, it’s no surprise the popularity of Strickland is on a continuous uptrend.

Striving For a Title Opportunity

With a 12-4 UFC record, it was unfortunate that Strickland met with Alex Pereira in a title-elimination opportunity.

Still, he’s a notable warrior for accepting a fight against such a prolific knockout artist. And much like his opponent this weekend, a significant victory can propel him back into the title picture.

Sean Strickland Combat Sports Accomplishments

Sean Strickland Best Available Odds: (-129) at BetOnline

Breakdown & Analysis

Cannonier’s Fight Style and How Can Cannonier Defeat Strickland

Cannonier struggled to match Israel Adesanya's skills due to size and speed disadvantage. He was too passive with his reaction speed as Stylebender out-struck him significantly through 5 rounds.

However, Strickland will plod forward with a high output. Still, the openings for power strikes will be available to the “Killa Gorilla,” and he won’t suffer such a significant speed disadvantage.

Strickland can sometimes show a lack of head movement, and if he walks into the strikes of Cannonier like he did with Pereira, it could be an early night.

Strickland Fight Style and How Can Strickland Defeat Cannonier

Strickland marches forward, standing straight with consistent jabs and straight rights, but this gives him one of the most significant striking outputs in the middleweight division.

He looks to overwhelm the opposition with volume, but this also leaves him vulnerable to counterstrikes, as we witnessed in the Pereira bout.

With a little more patience and less forward movement, Strickland can undoubtedly produce more volume while mixing in some grappling offense and take a unanimous decision.

Prediction & UFC Vegas 66 Odds

The available UFC odds at Bookmakers Review favor Strickland, but a -129 moneyline isn’t all that significant.

We shouldn’t see much grappling in this bout; both fighters prefer to stand and bang. However, if this route is attempted, it would likely favor Strickland, who’s utilized his grappling more than Cannonier during their respective UFC careers.

Watching Strickland fall victim to the power of Pereira is concerning, but it would be wise for Strickland to drain Cannonier’s punching power with cage grappling and takedowns.

With that said, I believe Cannonier’s patient striking style will prove successful against the eagerness of Strickland, whose erect stature is open for power strikes and accumulative damage. And for this reason, Cannonier is the pick.

UFC Vegas 66 Main Card & Odds

UFC Vegas 66 Main Card & Odds

*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.

© 2026 Bookmakers Review — This content has been archived.