Heavyweight knockout artist Mark Hunt (13-12, 10 KOs) meets grappling guru Aleksei Oleinik (56-11, 8 KOs, 44 SUBs) at UFC Fight Night 136 on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the Olimpiysky Arena in Moscow, Russia. The card airs live on UFC Fight Pass at 2pm ET.
Mark Hunt better watch his neck. Literally, because he’s meeting Aleksei Oleinik, the master of the neck crank and a wizard of the elusive ezekiel choke. Two of Oleinik last three wins have come by way of ezekiel choke, and they are the only times in UFC history that anybody’s won by that submission.
The 41-year old Oleinik will fight in his hometown of Moscow for the UFC’s inaugural Russian event, so he’ll have tons of crowd support in the main event. However, “The Boa Constrictor” will have to wade through a minefield to sink his teeths into Mark Hunt, one of the division’s most prolific knockout artists. While Hunt has always had a weakness in grappling, he’s also knocked out plenty of guys who have tried to force the issue with him.
This is a true striker vs. grappler matchup, and both guys happen to be damn good at what they do. That makes this an interesting scrap to bet on, so let’s break it all down based on the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu.
UFC Fight Night 136 Betting at BookMaker.eu
Mark Hunt -190
Aleksei Oleinik +160
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: sign in for odds!
Striking Stats
Significant strikes landed per minute: Hunt 2.91 / Oleinik 3.51
Accuracy: Hunt 44.19% / Olenik 52.73%
Significant strikes absorbed per minute: Hunt 2.87 / Oleinik 3.49
Defense: Hunt 51.31% / Oleinik 50.87%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Hunt 0.54 / Oleinik 2.95
Takedown accuracy: Hunt 55.56% / Oleinik 44.44%
Takedowns defended: Hunt 63.37% / Oleinik 11.11%
Submission average: Hunt 0.22 / Oleinik 2.58%
Bet on Hunt vs. Oleinik Odds
It seems simple enough: if this fight stays standing, Hunt wins. If it goes to the mat, Oleinik taps the Kiwi. So it all boils down to whether Oleinik has the goods to bring down The Super Samoan, right?
Not quite. While Oleinik’s standup isn’t quite on the level of Hunt (a former K-1 champion), he’s no scrub when it comes to banging. A solid pressure fighter, the Russian has a sharp 3-2 combination and fight-changing power in his right hand. Typically, the striking is just a setup to move things into the clinch, where he can start setting up his takedowns.
Because Hunt has perpetually been labelled a weak grappler, he’s had to develop stellar takedown defense over the years. On top of that, he’s also grown when it comes to defending submissions, waiting for the right moment to pop back to his feet. In space, Hunt is a terror, bringing down big game with his leaping left hook and showing the timing of a former kickboxing champion when it comes to landing fight-ending blows.
Both men struggle against bigger, athletic fighters, and neither can be considered that. That should make this contest a lot more competitive than the odds would suggest. Hunt was dominated with takedowns by Stipe Miocic, Brock Lesnar and Curtis Blaydes, and Oleinik obviously isn’t in that same old. But it’s hard to see a veteran of 67 fights get shredded either.
UFC Fight Night 136 Odds: Oleinik to win at +160
While Hunt should definitely be the favorite, the price on the Russian is too good to pass up. Oleinik gets a breather from fighting giant guys like Curtis Blaydes and should be able to outsmart the slower, smaller Hunt in this matchup. Hunt is always a threat for a walkoff knockout, but the Russian hasn’t been finished since 2011. Five rounds is enough time for Oleinik to figure out a gameplan to beat a one-dimensional striker.
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 Night 136 takes place on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the Olimpiysky Arena in Moscow, Russia. The card airs live on UFC Fight Pass at 2pm ET.
