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UFC 197 takes place on Saturday, April 23rd with a headlining fight for the UFC Interim Light Heavyweight Championship.
Initially scheduled as Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier, Cormier pulled out due to injury and Ovince St. Preux is the replacement for this main event.
It’s also the return of Jon Jones after all his issues which caused UFC to take the title off him, and it’s going to be a very interesting show. From the first media meet-up Jones looked extremely confident and relaxed, while OSP came off rather nerdy to be honest.
It’s going to be an interesting fight that’s for sure.
UFC 197 Betting Tips:
Jon Jones vs Ovince St. Preux Betting Tips:
OSP has his issues in the octagon. Many, many issues. You’d think after so many fights we’d see a much more solid fighter but while he has his explosiveness he also has many technical issues which has seen him lose to the likes of Ryan Bader. Of course it’s an interesting match-up as OSP has some sensational power and a very fast counter punch.
Jones should take this no problem but honestly there are enough question marks. Jone has had a fairly long lay off, and he seems to have came into this with a different style of training. I’m well prepared to lose this one but I’m going to take OSP to win by KO. You can get the odds of +650 on that one and that’s a great price.
Demetrious Johnson vs Henry Cejudo Betting Tips:
Mighty Mouse is a heavy favourite – no surprise here. Cejudo is an interesting battle for him with his wrestling pedigree but Johnson is just too damn good. I can’t see Cejudo slipping enough to allow DJ to get a submission. If you think Cejuo has a good chance then you can bet a decision win for either at -195 odds, but to me I like Johnson win by decision which is just -110 odds at the below sportsbook:
Anthony Pettis vs Edson Barboza Betting Tips:
Man – I gotta take Barboza here.
Pettis is coming off this on the back of two losses in a row – one to Alvarez and one to RDA – the latter where he lost his UFC Lightweight Championship. THat’s got to be tough for Pettis. Barboza had a great fight against Tony Ferguson back in December but lost to the D’Arce Choke. It’s a tricky one but I think Barboza just has enough in his arsenal to win – especially with Pettis and the mental aspects possibly not being up to par.
Robert Whittaker vs Rafael Natal Betting Tips:
I get so excited every time I see Robert Whittaker fighting. I mentioned earlier how OSPs game really hasn’t improved and he has so many technical issues still – but it’s the opposite for Whittaker. Especially after his move up to 185. He just looks so much sharper out there and is on a 4 fight win streak with 3 of the wins at Middleweight.
I’d go for the extra odds here and take Whittaker by KO/TKO. We saw how he fights against the likes of Tavares and Hester and we think Natal is in for a short night tonight.
