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Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson (27-2, 5 KOs, 11 SUBs) will defend his title in a rematch against Henry Cejudo (12-2, 4 KOs, 1 SUB) at UFC 227 on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m. ET following the FS1 prelims.
Here we go again. Flyweight kingpin and top pound-for-pound fighter Demetrious Johnson will make his 12th consecutive title defense this Saturday in Los Angeles against a familiar opponent: Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo. What happened to the champ vs. champ fight with T.J. Dillashaw? Instead of the superfight that everyone wanted, we’re getting a yawner.
Reminder: the first scrap wasn’t even that close. DJ needed less than half a round to pummel “The Messenger” with knees to the body and finish it. You could argue that it might’ve been a flash knockout, but Johnson proved a while ago that there isn’t anybody close to his level at 125.
But the fact that this is the co-main to a bantamweight title rematch gives us some hope that there’s some behind-the-scenes matchmaking going on here. If Johnson wins, don’t be surprised if Dana White announces he’ll face the winner of the main event. That’d be something.
Anyways, we can’t overlook this contest when there’s money to be made. Let’s check in with the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your best betting options.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Demetrious Johnson -509
Henry Cejudo +391
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: -120 / -120
Striking Stats
Significant strikes landed p/m: Johnson 3.44 / Cejudo 3.78
Accuracy: Johnson 54.31% / Cejudo 43.96%
Significant strikes absorbed p/m: Johnson 1.64 / Cejudo 2.44
Defense: Johnson 67.35% / Cejudo 71.8%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Johnson 3.54 / Cejudo 2.44
Takedown accuracy: Johnson 56.46% / Cejudo 38.1%
Takedowns defended: Johnson 65.06% / Cejudo 100%
Submission average: Johnson 0.55 / Cejudo 0.15
Matchup Preview
When these guys first met at UFC 197 in 2016, Johnson closed as a -320 favorite. This time around, oddsmakers opened with DJ at -475, only to see his price drop even further after just a short time. We’re not at all surprised at the lopsided betting lines: it’s totally indicative of the talent gap between Mighty Mouse and the rest of the division.
Anything can happen in MMA. There is such a thing as a puncher’s chance. But the chance of a knockout diminishes as the weight classes get lighter - for science reasons. In the smallest men’s divisions, there really aren’t many guys with one-hitter quitter power. Cejudo has never been a KO artist to begin with, and DJ has never been stopped with strikes. So you can pretty much cancel any hope that The Messenger puts the champ on ice.
So the question here is whether Cejudo can win with his Olympic wrestling. Johnson has had moments of vulnerability against bigger, stronger fighters - Time Elliott bullied him to the ground a few times. Cejudo is fast, powerful and explosive, but he’s not a huge flyweight and relies on timing and technique to get guys to the mat. Nobody out-techniques Johnson right now.
UFC Odds Pick: Parlay Johnson to win at -509
Unless Johnson’s pre-fight training regimen consists of playing video games all day and drinking nacho cheese, we really don’t see a different outcome from the first. He’s still in his prime and miles ahead of the next best guy in the division - whose name isn’t even Cejudo. Use this to anchor a parlay for a slightly better return.
UFC Odds Pick: Fight goes the distance at -120
Let’s gamble a bit. Though Johnson finished their first fight early and easily, it remains the only instance to date where Cejudo was stopped. Cejudo enters this bout with a lot more experience, so there’s a great chance he makes it to the cards. This is not a bet you wanna parlay, so take it as a straight play.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
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. UFC 227 takes place on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The main card airs live on pay-per-view starting 10 p.m. ET following the FS1 prelims.
