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UFC 304 predictions & odds

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UFC 304 predictions & odds

As a long-time MMA fan and avid gamer, I can hardly contain my excitement for UFC 304 in Manchester! With the return of the UFC to England for the first time since 2016, the anticipation is palpable. The card is stacked with intriguing matchups, and I’m eager to share my thoughts on a few of them based on my knowledge and experience of the sport.

UFC is coming back to Manchester, England on July 27 for UFC 304, marking its first visit since October 2016. The main event will feature a rematch between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad vying for the UFC welterweight title at the brand-new Co-op Live arena. Their long-awaited face-off has been building up since Edwards’ infamous eye poke during their fight at UFC APEX in March 2021.

After harboring animosity towards each other for years, Edwards and Muhammad will lock horns in the cage for the first time, aiming to extend their impressive winning records. Edwards, boasting a 12-fight win streak, prepares to face off against Muhammad’s equally formidable 9-fight unbeaten run. The prospect of this intense clash is sure to ignite excitement among fans as soon as the fight begins.

In the exciting interim heavyweight title bout, Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes face off once more in the co-main event. Their previous encounter took place in July 2022, but it was cut short when Aspinall sustained a knee injury after kicking Blaydes within the first 15 seconds of the fight.

Instead of their interactions being filled with disrespect like during the main event, Aspinall and Blaydes have shown great respect for each other at UFC 304. They appear to prefer action over words in the lead-up to their fight. Make sure not to miss a moment when this bout airs on your TV; it may end just as quickly as it begins.

In the US, the initial bout of the preliminary fights is set to start at 5:15 p.m. Eastern Time or 2:15 p.m. Pacific Time, live-streamed on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. The prelims as a whole will commence at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time or 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on both ESPN+ and ESPN2. Lastly, the main card is scheduled to kick off at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time or 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time, exclusively available on ESPN+ PPV.

Odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change.

Arnold Allen (-250) vs Giga Chikadze (+190)

At UFC 304, fans can expect an intense 15-minute battle between two highly ranked featherweights, Allen and Chikadze, who are set to kick off the main card. Both fighters have a history of taking fights the distance within the Octagon. In fact, over 60% of their UFC wins have been decided by the judges. Although Allen has lost his last two bouts, against top featherweights Max Holloway and Movsar Evloev, this doesn’t diminish his favorite status for their upcoming fight. Allen’s path to victory lies in getting Chikadze to the ground, making it a key strategy for him to secure the win.

Prediction: Arnold Allen by decision (+100)

Christian Leroy Duncan (-154) vs Gregory Rodrigues (+120)

At UFC 304, the newly announced bout between Leroy Duncan and Rodrigues is certain to provide an exciting spectacle for fans, given their impressive combined finishing rate of 88% within the UFC. Regardless of who emerges victorious on July 27, this number will undoubtedly rise after the fight. This encounter promises non-stop action, as it boils down to which fighter can throw the more accurate punches initially. The odds for this bout are slightly broader than anticipated, but come fight night, they might be as close as a coin flip pick ’em. Considering the value, it’s recommended to place your wagers on Rodrigues at the plus money beforehand.

Prediction: Gregory Rodrigues by KO/TKO in round 2 (+1500)

King Green (-122) vs Paddy Pimblett (-104)

The much-anticipated match between Green and Pimblett, filled with verbal sparring that has left fans eagerly awaiting their showdown, promises to be the main event for most spectators. This encounter will undoubtedly present a significant challenge for Pimblett, one that he’ll face in his home country’s arena. Green isn’t going to hand over an easy win, but imagine the excitement if Pimblett secures a triumphant victory in England! Age is the only fighter without a loss in this sport, and with an eight-year gap between them, Pimblett appears to be the better choice for this bout.

Prediction: Paddy Pimblet by KO/TKO (+650)

Tom Aspinall (-440) vs Curtis Blaydes (+310)

As a fan, I’ve noticed that the odds for this upcoming fight between Aspinall and Blaydes have gotten quite extreme. When they first met in the octagon, I remember Aspinall being a clear favorite at -140, while Blaydes was an underdog at +120. However, things have changed since then. Aspinall has since claimed the interim title, making him an overwhelming favorite with odds of 4 to 1 on the moneyline.

Prediction: Tom Aspinall by decision (+1300)

Leon Edwards (-265) vs Belal Muhammad (+200)

Based on the outcome of their initial clash, which was marked by Edwards’ victory in the first round but ended abruptly due to an eye poke, spectators are keenly anticipating a rematch between Edwards and Muhammad. While many remember the controversial ending, fewer recall that Edwards dominated the first round according to all three judges’ scorecards. This is a classic encounter between a skilled striker and a formidable grappler. However, given the significant growth each fighter has experienced since their last encounter, it is challenging to predict who will emerge victorious this time around.

The upcoming fight between Edwards and Muhammad presents an engaging contrast due to Edwards’ agile and versatile striking abilities, as well as his recent bouts against formidable wrestlers Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, who are widely considered superior grapplers than Muhammad. Another crucial aspect to consider is the stylistic difference between Edwards being a southpaw and Muhammad being an orthodox boxer. This disparity could offer numerous opportunities for Edwards to capitalize on in terms of kicking, both to the body and head.

Prediction: Leon Edwards by KO/TKO (+310)

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2024-07-26 19:13

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