Light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier (19-1, 6 KOs, 6 SUBs) will defend the title against Volkan Oezdemir (15-1, 11 KOs, 1 SUB) at UFC 220 on January 20, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The main card airs live on pay-per-view following the FS1 prelims. Bet on the latest UFC odds and get the latest predictions, previews and betting picks at BookMaker.eu now!
Volkan Oezdemir’s meteoric rise was one of the most surprising stories of 2017. Now, he could start 2018 as the light heavyweight champion. After three straight upsets against top light heavyweight contenders, the Swiss Cinderella man meets light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 220 on January 20.
Cormier lost the title to Jon Jones in his last outing, but was re-installed as the champ when Jones tested positive (again) for PEDs. He’ll have to make the best of an awkward situation where he holds the belt but is still considered the second best light heavyweight in the world.
We’ll keep you updated on all the latest betting news for the matchup. Today, we’re projecting possible money lines for the pairing with the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu.
Projected UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Daniel Cormier -350
Volkan Oezdemir +310
Early Analysis
We project Cormier to be a huge favorite when the lines open, for a number of reasons. His only career losses - at both heavyweight and light heavyweight - have come against Jon Jones. And his body of work makes him a lock for the Hall of Fame, with wins against Anthony Johnson (twice), Alexander Gustafsson, Dan Henderson, Roy Nelson, Frank Mir and Josh Barnett.
As for Oezdemir, there are certainly some fluky qualities about his rapid ascent. His debut victory came against a struggling Ovince St. Preux. Both of his subsequent wins against Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa were flash knockouts that took less than 90 seconds combined.
Obviously, “No Time” has got plenty of punching power. But if DC took Rumble’s best shots, he can for sure handle Oezdemir’s. He also survived a vicious knee from Gustafsson that would have iced 90% of the division and came back to win a gritty trench war against the Swede.
To beat Cormier, you have to be an excellent wrestler, which Volkan is not. The champ is the king of the grind, and unless you have a decorated wrestling background, it’s not something three UFC fights can prepare you for.
We might be selling Oezdemir short, but it’s likely his fairytale run comes to an end here. His run has been extraordinary, but he’s a level 20 fighter wading into a level 99 battlefield. DC is too smart and durable to get caught with a flash knockout, and his grind is something Oezdemir will not be able to handle.
UFC Betting Tips
Use Cormier’s price as a parlay booster with a future fight. Or wait until the prop bets release and go with Cormier inside the distance. It’s doubtful that Oezdemir can survive five rounds of DC’s boxing, takedowns and GNP.
UFC Odds Pick: Parlay Cormier to win
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UFC 220 takes place on January 20, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The main card airs live on pay-per-view following the FS1 prelims.
