Former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (14-2, 12 KOs) will meet former title challenger Francis Ngannou (12-3, 8 KOs, 4 SUBs) at UFC on ESPN 1 on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card airs live on ESPN starting 9 pm ET.
The man many consider the most talented heavyweight of all time will finally make his long-awaited return this Saturday. Yes, Cain Velasquez is back. But at 36 years old, coming off another major injury and a long break for good measure, what does the former champion have to offer? Has the division passed him by? Has his physical gifts declined?
We’re about to find out a lot about where Velasquez stands. Francis Ngannou, the No. 3 heavyweight, will make sure of that. Armed with nuclear punching power and springy athleticism, Ngannou possesses the most feared fists in all of MMA. At 32, Ngannou is still in his physical prime and has been in far less wars as a pro fighter - only 2 of his 15 fights have reached a third round.
Though Velasquez isn’t that much older than Ngannou, it’s almost like he comes from another era. In fact, of his 14 UFC fights, only two of his past opponents are still actively fighting in the UFC. By the time he steps into the cage on this Saturday, it will have been two and a half years since his last fight. But in a division where Derrick Lewis fought for the title, it only takes a few wins to get back into title contention.
Let’s take a look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu and break down your best online betting options. Live UFC betting is also available on fight night to hedge any of your bets.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cain Velasquez -215
Francis Ngannou +170
Fight goes/doesn’t go to decision: +450 / -750
Significant Striking Stats
Landed per minute: Velasquez 6.38 / Ngannou 1.97
Accuracy: Velasquez 57% / Ngannou 36%
Absorbed per minute: Velasquez 2.29 / Ngannou 1.94
Defense: Velasquez 57% / Ngannou 48%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Velasquez 5.15 / Ngannou 0
Takedown accuracy: Velasquez 45% / Ngannou 0%
Takedown defense: Velasquez 85% / Ngannou 70%
Submission average: Velasquez 0.4 / Ngannou 0.5
Bet this fight at BookMaker.eu
Everybody know how easily Ngannou can steal somebody’s consciousness. But against wrestlers, the results are mixed. Against Stipe Miocic - a former NCAA D1 wrestler - Ngannou was badly exposed. After blowing his load in the first, Ngannou was easily taken down, controlled and pounded for good measure. The loss was so debilitating that it carried over into the next fight, where Ngannou simply would not pull the trigger against Lewis.
But in his most recent fight against Curtis Blaydes, another juco national champion, Ngannou laid out his opponent before the fight even got started. The fight didn’t tell us much about whether his grappling has evolved, only reiterating the fact that this is a man you do not want to stand with.
If Velasquez is operating anywhere close to where he was in 2016 when he dominated Travis Browne, he shouldn’t have much of a problem draining the Frenchman’s gas tank and brutalizing the life out of him. That’s a huge if, and a dangerous assumption to make when you’re hitting the online sportsbooks. Then again, if you’re betting Ngannou, you have to assume that he can handle the pressure coming his way.
UFC Odds Pick: Fight doesn’t go to decision at -750
This seems like a copout, but it’s the safe pick. This is a five round fight, and if Velasquez is back in relentless demon form, Ngannou simply will not hold up. But there’s also the very real chance that he lands another hellshot that floors Cain, and this UFC prop bet protects you from the upset.
Bet Online: Ngannou to win at +170
Fine, we’ll make a pick. Based on the prices, we’ll go with the younger knockout artist. Velasquez will force the issue, and Ngannou does his best work when he’s reacting against fighters. At this price, we’ll take a small 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 on ESPN 1 takes place on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card airs live on ESPN starting 9 pm ET.
