Welterweight contenders Kamaru Usman (13-1, 6 KOs, 1 SUB) and Rafael Dos Anjos (28-10, 5 KOs, 9 SUBs) will meet at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale on Friday, November 30, 2018 at the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card airs live on FS1.
It’s easy to become a forgotten man in the stacked welterweight division, but Kamaru Usman could steal back the spotlight this Friday when he meets Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of the TUF Finale. You might’ve forgotten that Usman is still undefeated inside the octagon, a streak that extends to eight wins.
Most recently, “The Nigerian Nightmare” schooled former title challenger Demian Maia in his biggest career victory. After soundly outwrestling a BJJ legend, Usman will now have to switch track and face a punishing Muay Thai striker in Dos Anjos.
Dos Anjos has to be sick of facing wrestlers, as he was just mashed by Colby Covington this past June. But prior to that matchup, RDA had earned three straight impressive wins over Tarec Saffiedine, Neil Magny and Robbie Lawler. The contest against Covington was actually for the interim title, but that nonsense was soon forgotten after the brash welterweight wrestler was stripped of the hardware just months later.
Let’s check in with the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu, which have installed Usman as a big favorite here. Any bets you make now can be hedged with our live UFC betting options, so go ahead and lock in some good plays. We’ve got you covered below.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Kamaru Usman -287
Rafael dos Anjos +220
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: -185 / +145
Striking Stats
Significant strikes landed per minute: Dos Anjos 3.71 / Usman 3.75
Accuracy: Dos Anjos 44.97% / Usman 48.59%
Significant strikes absorbed per minute: Dos Anjos 3.18 / Usman 1.46
Defense: Dos Anjos 64.34% / Usman 63.86%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Dos Anjos 2.11 / Usman 3.85
Takedown accuracy: Dos Anjos 40.54% / Usman 47.46%
Takedowns defended: Dos Anjos 64.94% / Usman 100%
Submission average: Dos Anjos 0.66 / Usman 0.27
Bet on this fight at BookMaker.eu
Though Dos Anjos is ranked No. 3 in the division, it seems like a really fragile top spot. Covington roughed him up really good and exposed some major issues that could keep Dos Anjos from ever entering the title picture again. We all know that RDA can bang - Rafael Cordeiro has done a fantastic job reinventing the Brazilian as a lethal Muay Thai striker.
But the former lightweight was taken down repeatedly by Covington and really couldn’t do much about it. The size was an issue, and although RDA’s takedown defense is solid, it had never really been tested ever since he moved up to welterweight. Up to that point, the last great wrestler the 34-year old had faced was Benson Henderson back in 2014.
All of that spells serious trouble for the longtime vet. Usman is in fact, another elite wrestler. In fact, it’s easy to argue that the 31-year old is an even better athlete. The Hard Knocks product can explode into fight-ending punches, though he’ll probably want to avoid striking with RDA at all costs.
UFC Odds Pick: Usman to win at -220
If Covington can blanket RDA, we expect Usman to be able to do the same. Over the course of five rounds, the aging Brazilian won’t be able to withstand the constant pressure and should find himself on his back for long strethces.
Bet Online: Fight goes to decision at -185
Both men have stoppage ratios right around 50%, and they’re both high level 170-pounders who can hold off attacks on both the mat and on the feet. RDA has fought to decision in four of his past five, while Usman has seen the scorecards in six of his past seven.
UFC Betting Odds
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today. The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale takes place on Friday, November 30, 2018 at the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card airs live on FS1.
