Welterweight (170)
[#5] Rafael dos Anjos (29-11-0, +106) vs. [#13] Leon Edwards (17-3-0, -131)
Rafael dos Anjos is the All-Time #24 ranked Welterweight and #31 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Rafael dos Anjos (1-2-0)
2019-05-18: W vs. [#33WW] Kevin Lee (17-5-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 3:47 of round 4
2018-11-30: L vs. [#1WW/#5DD/#5P4P] Kamaru Usman (15-1-0) via UD (49-45, 50-43, 48-47)
2018-06-09: L vs. [#3WW] Colby Covington (14-1-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)

Last 3 Fights: Leon Edwards (3-0-0)
2019-03-16: W vs. [#18WW] Gunnar Nelson (17-4-1) via SD (29-28, 29-27, 28-29)
2018-06-23: W vs. [#4LW] Donald Cerrone (36-12-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
2018-03-17: W vs. [*] Peter Sobotta (17-6-1) via TKO (Punches) in 4:59 of round 3

Odds Favorite (Implied): Leon Edwards – Win%: 53.88
Elo Favorite (Standard): Rafael dos Anjos (2119.56) [+26.40] – Win%: 53.01
Elo Favorite (Modified): Rafael dos Anjos (2085.70) [+65.62] – Win%: 57.13
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Rafael dos Anjos 63, Leon Edwards 126
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Rafael dos Anjos leads 2-1
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Heavyweight (265)
[#11] Alexey Oleynik (59-12-1, +128) vs. [#45] Walt Harris (12-7-0, -154)

Last 3 Fights: Alexey Oleynik (2-1-0)
2019-04-20: L vs. [#7HW+] Alistair Overeem (45-17-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:45 of round 1
2018-09-15: W vs. [#15HW+] Mark Hunt (13-14-1) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:26 of round 1
2018-05-12: W vs. [#65HW+] Junior Albini (14-6-0) via Submission (Ezekiel Choke) in 1:45 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Walt Harris (2-0-0, 1 NC)
2019-05-04: W vs. [#88HW+] Sergey Spivak (9-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:50 of round 1
2018-12-29: NC vs. [#35HW+] Andrei Arlovski (27-18-0)
2018-06-01: W vs. [#120HW+] Daniel Spitz (6-2-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:59 of round 2

Odds Favorite (Implied): Walt Harris – Win%: 58.02
Elo Favorite (Standard): Alexey Oleynik (1756.64) [+162.34] – Win%: 67.74
Elo Favorite (Modified): Alexey Oleynik (1789.45) [+83.42] – Win%: 59.03
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alexey Oleynik 91, Walt Harris 77
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Alexey Oleynik leads 2-1
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Heavyweight (265)
[#125] Juan Adams (5-1-0, -114) vs. [#144] Greg Hardy (4-1-0, -109)

Last 3 Fights: Juan Adams (2-1-0)
2019-05-04: L vs. [#84HW+] Arjan Singh Bhullar (9-1-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2018-12-15: W vs. [#205HW+] Chris de la Rocha (5-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:58 of round 3
2018-07-31: W vs. [#264HW+] Shawn Teed (5-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:17 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Greg Hardy (2-1-0)
2019-04-27: W vs. [#317HW+] Dmitry Smoliakov (9-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:15 of round 1
2019-01-19: L vs. [#134HW+] Allen Crowder (10-4-0) via DQ (Illegal Knee to Grounded Fighter) in 2:28 of round 2
2018-09-29: W vs. [NA] Ray Jones (0-1-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:53 of round 1

Odds Favorite (Implied): Juan Adams – Win%: 50.53
Elo Favorite (Standard): Juan Adams (1371.43) [+66.20] – Win%: 57.50
Elo Favorite (Modified): Greg Hardy (1502.08) [+34.06] – Win%: 53.72
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Juan Adams 77, Greg Hardy 84
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Women Bantamweight (135)
[#2/#7DD/#8P4P] Germaine de Randamie (8-3-0, +142) vs. [#4] Aspen Ladd (8-0-0, -170)
Germaine de Randamie is the All-Time #33 ranked Women’s fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Germaine de Randamie (3-0-0)
2018-11-10: W vs. [#5BW] Raquel Pennington (9-7-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2017-02-11: W vs. [#3BW] Holly Holm (12-5-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
2016-05-08: W vs. [*] Anna Elmose (3-2-0) via KO (Knee to the Body) in 3:46 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Aspen Ladd (3-0-0)
2019-05-18: W vs. [#12BW] Sijara Eubanks (4-3-0) via UD (29-27, 30-26, 29-28)
2018-10-06: W vs. [#19BW] Tonya Evinger (19-9-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:26 of round 1
2017-10-21: W vs. [#11BW] Lina Lansberg (9-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:33 of round 2

Odds Favorite (Implied): Aspen Ladd – Win%: 60.37
Elo Favorite (Standard): Aspen Ladd (1648.70) [+30.39] – Win%: 53.46
Elo Favorite (Modified): Aspen Ladd (1700.58) [+66.11] – Win%: 57.19
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Germaine de Randamie 245, Aspen Ladd 56
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Bantamweight (135)
[#15] Ricky Simon (16-1-0, -329) vs. [*] Urijah Faber (34-10-0, +261)
Urijah Faber is the All-Time #6 ranked Bantamweight and #14 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Ricky Simon (3-0-0)
2019-02-09: W vs. [#29BW] Rani Yahya (26-10-0) via UD (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
2018-08-04: W vs. [#18BW] Montel Jackson (8-1-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2018-04-21: W vs. [#31BW] Merab Dvalishvili (9-4-0) via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 5:00 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Urijah Faber (1-2-0)
2016-12-17: W vs. [*] Brad Pickett (25-14-0) via UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
2016-09-10: L vs. [#13BW] Jimmie Rivera (22-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2016-06-04: L vs. [*] Dominick Cruz (22-2-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)

Odds Favorite (Implied): Ricky Simon – Win%: 73.46
Elo Favorite (Standard): Ricky Simon (1833.17) [+0.43] – Win%: 50.05
Elo Favorite (Modified): Ricky Simon (1809.50) [+10.41] – Win%: 51.14
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ricky Simon 154, Urijah Faber 938
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Featherweight (145)
[#7] Josh Emmett (14-2-0, +141) vs. [#14] Mirsad Bektic (13-1-0, -168)

Last 3 Fights: Josh Emmett (2-1-0)
2019-03-30: W vs. [#22FW] Michael Johnson (19-14-0) via KO (Punch) in 4:14 of round 3
2018-02-24: L vs. [#8FW] Jeremy Stephens (28-16-0) via KO (Elbows) in 1:35 of round 2
2017-12-16: W vs. [#15FW] Ricardo Lamas (19-8-0) via KO (Punch) in 4:33 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Mirsad Bektic (2-1-0)
2018-06-09: W vs. [#15FW] Ricardo Lamas (19-8-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
2018-01-27: W vs. [#244LW] Godofredo Castro (14-6-0) via KO (Punch to the Body) in 2:47 of round 1
2017-03-04: L vs. [#19FW] Darren Elkins (24-7-0) via KO (Punches) in 3:19 of round 3

Odds Favorite (Implied): Mirsad Bektic – Win%: 60.17
Elo Favorite (Standard): Josh Emmett (1870.60) [+5.47] – Win%: 50.63
Elo Favorite (Modified): Josh Emmett (1862.54) [+70.67] – Win%: 57.67
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Josh Emmett 105, Mirsad Bektic 399
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is a hugely popular sport, and it seems to be gaining momentum all the time. Just what is it, though, that makes it so well loved the world over? Why do people love to watch – and participate in – this kind of sport? There are many different reasons; read on to find out what just some of them are.

Skilled Fighters

The fighters who take part in MMA are highly skilled. Of course, the same could be said of boxers, or other types of martial artists, but there is something special and certainly unique about the fighters in MMA. These are people who have mastered, as the name suggests, many different types of martial arts, and they know exactly how to use their skills to good effect.

It’s fun to find a favorite fighter and follow their career. You might even go to watch their matches when you can, and you can use Unibet to see what the odds are of them winning. That makes the fight even more exciting, and it is a thrill to watch.

It’s For Everyone

The great thing about MMA is that it really is for everyone. Men and women alike enjoy this particular sport, and can watch it together, all enjoying the fight for the skill and the fun they are experiencing.

Even more interestingly, MMA is for all participants too. Again, men and women can both take part – although in separate fights – making it a much more inclusive sport than many others. There are many famous female MMA fighters, such as Ronda Rousey.

Notable Info

• Men’s Lightweight expanded to Top 750 (from 700).
• Men’s Bantamweight expanded to Top 550 (from 500).
• Men’s Strawweight expanded to Top 35 (from 30).

Light Heavyweight Championship (205)
[#1/#4DD/#1P4P] Jon Jones (24-1-0, -669) vs. [#6] Thiago Santos (21-6-0, +466)
Jon Jones is the All-Time #1 ranked Light Heavyweight and #2 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Jon Jones (2-0-0, 1 NC)
2019-03-02: W vs. [#2LHW] Anthony Smith (32-14-0) via UD (48-44, 48-44, 48-44)
2018-12-29: W vs. [*] Alexander Gustafsson (18-6-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:02 of round 3
2017-07-29: NC vs. [#1HW+/#2DD/#2P4P] Daniel Cormier (22-1-0)

Last 3 Fights: Thiago Santos (3-0-0)
2019-02-23: W vs. [#13LHW] Jan Blachowicz (23-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:39 of round 3
2018-12-08: W vs. [#28LHW] Jimi Manuwa (17-6-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:41 of round 2
2018-09-22: W vs. [#38LHW] Eryk Anders (12-4-0) via TKO (Elbows) in 5:00 of round 3

Odds Favorite (Implied): Jon Jones – Win%: 83.11
Elo Favorite (Standard): Jon Jones (2406.65) [+357.14] – Win%: 83.64
Elo Favorite (Modified): Jon Jones (2407.56) [+355.16] – Win%: 82.56
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jon Jones 126, Thiago Santos 133
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Women Bantamweight Championship (135)
[#1/#1DD/#1P4P] Amanda Nunes (17-4-0, -353) vs. [#3/#10DD] Holly Holm (12-4-0, +278)
Amanda Nunes is the All-Time #3 ranked Women’s fighter.
Holly Holm is the All-Time #18 ranked Women’s fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Amanda Nunes (3-0-0)
2018-12-29: W vs. [#1FW/#4DD/#4P4P] Cristiane Justino (20-2-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:51 of round 1
2018-05-12: W vs. [#5BW] Raquel Pennington (9-7-0) via TKO (Elbows and Punches) in 2:36 of round 5
2017-09-09: W vs. [#1FLY/#2DD/#3P4P] Valentina Shevchenko (17-3-0) via SD (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)

Last 3 Fights: Holly Holm (2-1-0)
2018-06-09: W vs. [#5FW] Megan Anderson (9-4-0) via UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
2017-12-30: L vs. [#1FW/#4DD/#4P4P] Cristiane Justino (20-2-0) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
2017-06-17: W vs. [#18BW] Bethe Correia (10-4-1) via KO (Head Kick and Punch) in 1:09 of round 3

Odds Favorite (Implied): Amanda Nunes – Win%: 74.65
Elo Favorite (Standard): Amanda Nunes (1984.89) [+442.75] – Win%: 88.32
Elo Favorite (Modified): Amanda Nunes (1938.10) [+373.22] – Win%: 83.67
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Amanda Nunes 189, Holly Holm 392
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Amanda Nunes leads 7-2
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Welterweight (170)
[#4] Jorge Masvidal (33-13-0, +187) vs. [#12] Ben Askren (19-0-0, -232)
Jorge Masvidal is the All-Time #32 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Ben Askren is the All-Time #33 ranked Welterweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Jorge Masvidal (1-2-0)
2019-03-16: W vs. [#7WW] Darren Till (17-2-1) via KO (Punches) in 3:05 of round 2
2017-11-04: L vs. [#9WW] Stephen Thompson (14-4-1) via UD (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
2017-05-13: L vs. [#13WW] Demian Maia (27-9-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Ben Askren (3-0-0)
2019-03-02: W vs. [#17WW] Robbie Lawler (28-13-0) via Technical Submission (Bulldog Choke) in 3:20 of round 1
2017-11-24: W vs. [#111WW] Shinya Aoki (43-9-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:57 of round 1
2017-09-02: W vs. [#37MW] Zebaztian Kadestam (12-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:09 of round 2

Odds Favorite (Implied): Ben Askren – Win%: 66.73
Elo Favorite (Standard): Ben Askren (2200.38) [+173.66] – Win%: 68.86
Elo Favorite (Modified): Ben Askren (2158.83) [+100.22] – Win%: 60.79
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jorge Masvidal 112, Ben Askren 126
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Notable Info

• Men’s Featherweight rankings expanded to 650 (from 600).
• Women’s Flyweight rankings expanded to 75 (from 60).
• Women’s Atomweight rankings expanded to 20 (from 15).

It’s been almost a year since I’ve done a UFC event preview blog. We are now halfway through 2019 – which will be remembered in MMA history as the start of the UFC & ESPN partnership – and quickly coming up on what is shaping up to be the biggest card of the year so far, assuming all the fighters make it to the opening bell without suffering injuries, failing USADA tests, or any other mishaps.

As UFC 239 approaches, the odds for the two champions on the card, Jon Jones and Amanda Nunes, are getting longer. Jones opened as roughly a -900 favorite against the aging Thiago Santos, but is now closer to -650. Nunes’ dip is less pronounced, going from about -375 to -330 in her bout with dangerous striker Holly Holm. Once fight night rolls round and you want to know a trusted source based on first-hand experiences for UFC betting, look no further than my top sportsbooks lists of sites which are given ratings from users and editors.

The appetizer to the main events, Ben Askren, has seen his odds improve. Initially a -215 favorite against Jorge Masvidal, Askren’s been bet up to -350. Bettors likely see Masvidal, who was taken down four times by Demian Maia, having a huge problem staying off the mat against Askren’s Olympic-level wrestling.

With all that in mind, here is a brief preview of the UFC 239 main card:

(C) [#1 LHW] Jon Jones vs [#6 LHW] Thiago Santos for the UFC Light Heavyweight title

While Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is unarguably one of, if not the greatest fighter in the history of the sport, he is just as unarguably one of the most controversial. Whatever trouble Jones manages to get himself into seems to always roll off him like water off a duck’s back – whether it be PED failures, lawsuits or running afoul of the law, he comes out of every scandal virtually unscathed – only to soon become entangled again in a new set of shenanigans.  While his troubles have not been an overall significant detriment to his career, they forced him to take an occasional break from action. Because of this Jones has only fought once a year dating back to 2014.  This trend has now been turned around, as he will be defending his title for the second time this year and taking his third fight overall in seven months since regaining the title in a rematch with Alexander Gustaffson at the end of 2018.

Jon’s slated opponent Thiago “Marreta” Santos,  much like his previous opponent Anthony Smith, started out his UFC career as a middleweight and had a somewhat spotty record prior to moving up to 205 lbs and winning three in a row before getting a shot at Jones. There, the similarities end.  While Anthony Smith is a well rounded fighter who is equally adept at taking his opponents out with strikes as he is at making them tap out, the Brazilian Hammer Santos focuses almost exclusively on destroying his opposition with a wide array of strikes thrown with the most damaging intentions. And while Smith was very passive and almost timid in his fight with Jones, which allowed Jon to effectively neutralize Anthony and cruise to a one-sided decision, I don’t feel that Santos will change his ultra-aggressive style for anyone. Unfortunately for Thiago, his aggression may very well play right into Jon’s hand. Marreta’s path to victory is clear: throw everything including the kitchen sink at Bones in hopes of dealing concussive damage. The longer this fight goes on, the less likely are the odds that Santos lands a knockout strike. And I just can’t pick someone whose best chance is a striker’s chance, to beat Jon Jones. Nor have I seen the type of takedown defense or ground skill from Santos that would allow him to survive until the final bell without Bones choking him out or destroying his face with brutal elbows from the top position as he’s done to many of his past opponents.

The real burning question headed into this fight is how many picograms of Turinabol will show up in Jon’s bloodstream this time around. I wonder if there are any sportsbooks taking prop bets on this action.

Prediction: Jon Jones by submission or TKO (ground and pound).

Heavyweight (265)
[#3] Francis Ngannou (13-3-0, -260) vs. [#4] Junior dos Santos (21-5-0, +209)
Francis Ngannou is the All-Time #29 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Junior dos Santos is the All-Time #5 ranked Heavyweight and #27 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Francis Ngannou (2-1-0)
2019-02-17: W vs. [#10HW+] Cain Velasquez (14-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:26 of round 1
2018-11-24: W vs. [#8HW+] Curtis Blaydes (11-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:45 of round 1
2018-07-07: L vs. [#6HW+] Derrick Lewis (21-7-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Junior dos Santos (3-0-0)
2019-03-09: W vs. [#6HW+] Derrick Lewis (21-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:58 of round 2
2018-12-01: W vs. [#26HW+] Tai Tuivasa (8-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:30 of round 2
2018-07-14: W vs. [#14HW+] Blagoy Ivanov (18-2-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

Odds Favorite (Implied): Francis Ngannou – Win%: 69.05
Elo Favorite (Standard): Junior dos Santos (2119.78) [+73.54] – Win%: 58.32
Elo Favorite (Modified): Junior dos Santos (2127.20) [+90.78] – Win%: 59.81
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Francis Ngannou 132, Junior dos Santos 112
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Junior dos Santos leads 3-2
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Flyweight (125)
[#1] Jussier Formiga (23-5-0, +152) vs. [#2] Joseph Benavidez (27-5-0, -182)
Jussier Formiga is the All-Time #7 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Joseph Benavidez is the All-Time #6 ranked Flyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Jussier Formiga (3-0-0)
2019-03-23: W vs. [#5FLY] Deiveson Figueiredo (15-1-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2018-10-06: W vs. [#57BW] Sergio Pettis (17-5-0) via UD (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
2018-02-10: W vs. [#121BW] Ben Nguyen (16-9-0) via Technical Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:43 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Joseph Benavidez (2-1-0)
2019-01-19: W vs. [#4FLY] Dustin Ortiz (19-8-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2018-11-30: W vs. [#44BW] Alex Perez (22-5-0) via TKO (Strikes) in 4:19 of round 1
2018-06-09: L vs. [#57BW] Sergio Pettis (17-5-0) via SD (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

Odds Favorite (Implied): Joseph Benavidez – Win%: 61.92
Elo Favorite (Standard): Joseph Benavidez (1983.70) [+9.59] – Win%: 51.10
Elo Favorite (Modified): Joseph Benavidez (1978.27) [+22.41] – Win%: 52.45
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jussier Formiga 98, Joseph Benavidez 161
Previous Match-up Record: Joseph Benavidez leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Joseph Benavidez leads 6-4
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Welterweight (170)
[#16] Demian Maia (26-9-0, -198) vs. [#22] Anthony Rocco Martin (16-4-0, +164)
Demian Maia is the All-Time #16 ranked Welterweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Demian Maia (1-2-0)
2019-02-02: W vs. [#64WW] Lyman Good (20-5-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:38 of round 1
2018-05-19: L vs. [#1WW/#6DD/#5P4P] Kamaru Usman (15-1-0) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
2017-10-28: L vs. [#3WW] Colby Covington (14-1-0) via UD (30-27, 30-26, 29-27)

Last 3 Fights: Anthony Rocco Martin (3-0-0)
2019-03-09: W vs. [#62WW] Sergio Moraes (14-5-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2018-12-01: W vs. [#78WW] Jake Matthews (14-4-0) via Technical Submission (Anaconda Choke) in 1:19 of round 3
2018-10-06: W vs. [#49WW] Ryan LaFlare (14-3-0) via KO (Head Kick and Punches) in 3:59 of round 3

Odds Favorite (Implied): Demian Maia – Win%: 63.68
Elo Favorite (Standard): Anthony Rocco Martin (1999.61) [+19.58] – Win%: 52.24
Elo Favorite (Modified): Anthony Rocco Martin (1995.08) [+34.50] – Win%: 53.77
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Demian Maia 147, Anthony Rocco Martin 112
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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