The return of Jon Jones happens this Saturday. It’s not the fight we were all looking forward to, with DC pulling out due to an injury, but the card still features the UFC’s two best pound-for-pound fighters in Jon Jones and Demetrious Johnson, so when those two are headlining it doesn’t really matter who the opponents are.
Jon Jones vs Ovince St. Preux will be for the interim Light Heavyweight title, with the winner taking on Cormier to unify the belts when he returns. Demetrious Johnson is also putting his Flyweight belt on the line against Henry Cejudo, who is probably the biggest threat to his title in recent years. The other big fights on this card include Anthony Pettis taking on Edson Barboza, and Robert Whittaker looking to continue his rise in the Middleweight division against Rafael Natal.
All of the odds below are from BetOnline.ag, which is our top rated sportsbook for betting on MMA. Here’s a full review.
Jon Jones vs Ovince St. Preux
I actually think that OSP is a much more difficult opponent for Jones than many people are making him out to be. We all saw how Jones had difficulty with Alexander Gustafsson and OSP is another tall fighter who is probably more accurate and dangerous than Gustafsson was. If Jones has any ring rust at all, this is a very dangerous opponent for him. In fact, I see OSP as the most difficult opponent for Jon out of all of the top Light Heavyweight contenders, including Daniel Cormier.
All of that said, I still see Jones winning. He’s by far the best fighter in the division and although it will likely be a full tough grind, I expect Jones to be able to pull it out.
Play: Jones -550
Henry Cejudo vs Demetrious Johnson
I love the fact that Henry Cejudo is being pumped up so much by the UFC because I think the odds on Demetrious Johnson are great in this fight. DJ is the most well rounded and technical fighter in the UFC and I don’t see him having any trouble with Cejudo. Johnson will be the faster, more technical and more dangerous fighter, and over a five round fight I full expect him to showcase his skills while laying a beating on Cejudo.
Play: Johnson -385
Edson Barboza vs Anthony Pettis
Pettis has had trouble against fighters who are willing to grind him to a decision and not allowing him to attack with his devastating “showtime” kicks. Barboza is not this type of fighter. He’s another flashy fighter who likes to strike with his opponents. I don’t expect him to alter his game plan and that will result in Pettis getting back into the good graces of the UFC with a knockout.
This is a huge fight for Pettis who has lost two in a row and he will not disappoint. I’m very surprised he’s not a bigger favourite.
Play: Pettis -175
Rafael Natal vs Robert Whittaker
Whittaker is a rising star in the UFC and this fight is a bit of a layup for him to show his skills. He’s coming off a huge decision win over Uriah Hall in which he looked great throughout the fight. Before that he had finishes of Brad Tavares and Clint HEster. The guy is ready for the higher echelon of the division and Natal is just the guy to bump him up.
Natal is also on a four fight winning streak, that includes a win over Uriah Hall, but his win over Hall was a split decision and he didn’t look that great in the fight. Outside of Hall he’s beaten Kevin Casey, Tom Watson and Chris Camozzi in his last few fights and I just don’t see the upside in Natal that I see in Whittaker.
Play: Whittaker -340
Yes, I’m taking four favourites on this main card, but I think they are all great bets. DJ and Pettis are my favourite bets on the card though. I can’t see either of them losing.
Demetrious Johnson • Jon Jones • UFC 197 betting • UFC 197 picks