Former heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos (18-5, 12 KOs, 2 SUBs) will meet former WSOF champion Blagoy Ivanov (16-1, 6 KOs, 6 SUBs) at UFC Fight Night 133 on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at the CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho. The card airs live on FS1 starting 10 pm ET.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Blagoy Ivanov +160
Junior Dos Santos -185
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: +165 / -185
TALE OF THE TAPE
Junior Dos Santos
(18-5, 12 KOs, 2 SUBs)
Age: 34
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 238 punds
Reach: 77 inches
KO Ratio: 72%
Submission Ratio: 6%
Decision Win Ratio: 22%
Blagoy Ivanov
(16-1, 6 KOs, 6 SUBs)
Age: 31
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 251 pounds
Reach: 73 inches
KO Ratio: 38%
Submission Ratio: 38%
Decision Win Ratio: 25%
Matchup Preview
Who is Blagoy Ivanov? The Bulgarian’s combat base in Sambo, and he also represented his country in international judo tournaments. The 31-year old has some history with the legendary Fedor Emelianenko, going 1-1 against the Russian in the World Sambo Championships. He spent time in Bellator, with his only loss for the promotion coming against Alexander Volkov in the Bellator Season 10 Heavyweight Tournament Final. Following that loss, he jumped right into a WSOF title shot, took the strap and defended it four times before getting signed to the big show.
Ivanov long been considered one of the top 3 heavyweights not fighting in the UFC. He’s a well-rounded fighter who belongs inside the octagon, with knockout power and solid submission skills. But like many other heavyweights who fought outside the UFC, Ivanov will not only have to deal with a higher level of skill, but fight true heavyweights for the first time.
A lot of the dudes Ivanov was fighting in WSOF were burly 6-footers with some pudge on their frame. That’s not a knock on those guys, but how does a hefty, 5’11” heavyweight stack up against true heavyweights like Junior Dos Santos, who is 6’4” and a lean 240 pounds. Can you imagine Ivanov standing across the cage from Francis Ngannou, who is a shredded 265 pounds and explosive as hell?
However, JDS hasn’t ever been the same fighter since he got thrashed twice by Cain Velasquez. Those scraps probably took a few years off his life - his chin hasn’t been the same, nor has he ever been the aggressive power puncher he was earlier in his UFC career. If Ivanov can pressure early and hurt Dos Santos, he could knock Dos Santos off the rails.
UFC Odds Pick: Dos Santos to win at -185
In the heavyweight division, size and athleticism matters more than in any other division. We have a hard time seeing Ivanov outbox an excellent boxer - expecially one who is bigger, stronger and longer. Ivanov might be an excellent sambo fighter, but the only person who was able to consistently take Dos Santos down was Cain Velasquez, a huge wrestling phenom himself. The price on Dos Santos is a bit expensive, but it’s still a good return for a safe bet.
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 Fight UFC Fight Night 133 takes place on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at the CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho. The card airs live on FS1 starting 10 pm ET.
