On Saturday September 21st UFC 165 will take place at The Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The card will feature some great fights which include 2 title fights. In the co-main event Renan Barao will try to keep his 20 fight win streak alive as he takes on the hard-hitting Eddie Wineland. Jon Jones will also put his title on the line against the equally as big Alexander Gustafsson. Many other great fights are on the card and we will break down some worthwhile bets to make.
Pat Healy vs Khabib Nurmagomedov
The first bout on the main card is an intriguing one. The up and coming Khabib Nurmagomedov will take on the experienced Pat Healy. Nurmagomedov is looking to move up he ladder in the lightweight division and should do so in convinving fashion if he competes at the same level he has been since entering the UFC. I expect Khabib to use his dominant wrestling against a good wrestler himself in Pat Healy. Khabib is clearly the better boxer and will use this to setup his takedowns. This will allow him to gain top position and secure a submission. Pat Healy is tough and can grind, but that won’t help him against the much more athletic Nurmagomedov. The submission odds are a pretty decent payout aswell.
At +500 (5Dimes), take Nurmagomedox by submission.
Brendan Schaub vs Matt Mitrione
A battle between two mediocre heavyweights with more hype than deserved will take place at UFC 165. The two both seem to have clashing personalities and it was shown during the media day staredowns; both seem to despise each other after being friends. This may make for an interesting bout. I feel like Mitrione is the tougher fighter and has the better chin. I expect it to be a slugfest and this should favour Mitrione. He will knockout Schaub in the first.
Take Mitrione by KO at +150 (5Dimes)
Renan Barao vs Eddie Wineland
Renan Barao will take on Eddie Wineland for the Bantamweight title on Saturday night. If things go as expected, this will be a long night for Wineland. While Wineland possesses some power in his hands, he will need more than that to take out Barao. Barao has shown he can do it all, and should not have a problem with Wineland if he can avoid his power punches. Even then, Barao can take a shot and has shown that in the past.
I can’t see Wineland lasting 5 rounds with Barao, and with his solid chin I don’t see him getting knocked out. A good bet would be Barao winning by submission.
Take Barao by Submission at +135(5Dimes)
Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson
Jonny “Bones” Jones will look to break the light heavyweight title defence record as he tries to defeat the big Swede Alexander Gustafsson. Jones looks to be the heavy favourite in the fight, and it is well deserved. Aside from the first round with Lyoto Machida, Jones has looked pretty much untouchable.
With the odds posted being around -1100 for Jones, that is a definite no-play. Gustafsson has the reach and boxing skills to stand with Jones. The odds are a little lopsided so for this bout I don’t see a problem with placing a small bet on Gustafsson to TKO Jones, which he very well has the ability to do on the feet. Gustafsson will in my opinion be his most difficult test to date, when considering the size similarities and standup abilities of both fighters. Bones should look to take this to the ground where he will have a large advantage. With that said, place a small bet on Gustafsson for the TKO.
Take Gustafsson by TKO at +1050 (5Dimes)