Ion Cutelaba is favored against Johnny Walker at UFC 279: Chimaev vs. Diaz on Saturday, September 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event is one of five fights on the main pay-per-view card. Walker is 18-7 in his career, while Cutelaba is 16-7-1 in his career. There are a total of 13 fights, with five on Pay-Per-View, four on ESPN/ESPN+ and four on ESPN/ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass at UFC 279: Chimaev vs. Diaz. Let’s look at the bout between Walker and Cutelaba and UFC predictions.
UFC 279: Chimaev vs. Diaz takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, September 10 with 13 fights, with five on Pay-Per-View, four on ESPN/ ESPN+ and four on ESPN/ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
UFC 279: Chimaev vs. Diaz Betting
Johnny Walker (18-7, 4-4 UFC)
Walker came into the UFC with a record of 14-3 and he has four wins and four losses in the UFC. He defeated Khalil Rountree Jr. by KO, Justin Ledet by TKO, Misha Cirkunov by TKO, and Ryan Spann by KO; while losing to Corey Anderson by TKO, Nikita Krylov by unanimous decision, Thiago Santos by unanimous decision, and Jamahal Hill by KO. Walker has been a pro since 2013 and he has 15 wins by TKO/KO and two by submission. He has 15 first round finishes.
Ion Cutelaba (16-7-1, 5-6-1 UFC)
Cutelaba came into the UFC with a record of 11-1 and he has five wins, six losses, and one draw in the UFC. In his last six fights, he has two wins, three losses, and one draw. He defeated Khalil Rountree Jr. by TKO and Devin Clark by unanimous decision; while losing to Ryan Spann by guillotine choke submission, Magomed Ankalaev twice by KO, and fighting to a draw against Dustin Jacoby. Cutelaba has been a pro since 2012 and he has 12 wins by TKO/KO and two by submission. He has 13 first round finishes.
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Walker 3.45 / Cutelaba 4.81
Striking Accuracy: Walker 58% / Cutelaba 42%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Walker 2.78 / Cutelaba 3.39
Defense: Walker 42% / Cutelaba 48%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Walker 0.23 / Cutelaba 4.75
Takedown Accuracy: Walker 100% / Cutelaba 62%
Takedowns defended: Walker 62% / Cutelaba 79%
Submission average: Walker 0.7 / Cutelaba 0.0
UFC Picks
Cutelaba is listed as just over a 2-1 favorite to win this fight with the rounds listed at 1.5. Neither of these two fighters has looked all that great recently, as Cutelaba is 1-1-1 in his last three fights, while Walker has lost four of his last five. We know that Cutelaba is going to be going forward with a lot of pressure in this fight and that would seem to be in his favor, as Walker struggles with pressure. Walker has some ability, but he struggles to put together good fights, as he usually puts together some good moments. The question is whether or not he can put together enough good moments to win this fight.
Cutelaba has a lot of talent, but he rarely uses it properly. He hasn’t figured out a way to balance his aggression and use it to win consistently. Walker is definitely not a pushover and this is a dangerous fight for Cutelaba. Both fighters badly need this win and I think we’ll see all out aggression right from the start. Walker really can’t afford another loss or he could be released. Walker is an exciting fighter, but you just can’t continue to lose fights and stick around in the UFC.
I don’t know that Cutelaba should be laying more than 2-1 in this fight, especially against a desperate fighter in Walker who does have some ability. I think two plays are worth considering in this one. I’ll take Walker at the plus price and also hedge a little bit and play the rounds. Both of these two are finishers known for great spurts of action, so I’ll also go under the rounds total of 1.5.
DATE | FIGHTERS | MONEY LINE |
09/10 | Nate Diaz | +702 |
Khamzat Chimaev | -1333 |
09/10 | Tony Ferguson | +238 |
Jingliang Li | -315 |
09/10 | Johnny Walker | +183 |
Ion Cutelaba | -235 |
09/10 | Macy Chiasson | +135 |
Irene Aldana | -170 |
09/10 | Denis Tiuliulin | +110 |
Jamie Pickett | -140 |
09/10 | Chris Barnett | +307 |
Jake Collier | -425 |
09/10 | Heili Alateng | -165 |
Chad Anheliger | +131 |
09/10 | Darian Weeks | -120 |
Yohan Lainesse | -110 |
09/10 | Elise Reed | +150 |
Melissa Martinez | -190 |
09/10 | Danyelle Wolf | +320 |
Norma Dumont | -447 |
09/10 | Julian Erosa | +155 |
Hakeem Dawodu | -196 |
09/10 | Daniel Rodriguez | +168 |
Kevin Holland | -215 |
09/10 | Anton Turkalj | +535 |
Jailton Almeida | -877 |
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props, and money lines are all available so start betting with BookMaker today.
Check out the latest odds at BookMaker