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February 22, 2022UFC Fight Night 202 Prop Picks
February 22, 2022UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green will kick off this Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada. This weekend’s action-packed card sees a dozen different matchups taking place, all culminating with the main event. Each of these combats can be can be wagered on at SugarHouse sportsbook.
UFC Fight Night: Islam Makhachev vs. Bobby Green
Date and Time: Saturday, February, 26, 2022, Action begins at 4 PM ET
Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, NV
Opening UFC Fight Night Odds: Islam Makhachev (-835) vs. Bobby Green (+550)
UFC Fight Night TV Coverage: ESPN+
The main card begins at 7:00 PM EST and will be held at the UFC Apex in Sin City. The preliminary card gets underway at 4:00 PM EST. Check out BetMaker’s preview and prediction before placing your UFC bets.
All odds courtesy of SugarHouse online sportsbook.
UFC Fight Night Preview
Originally, this matchup was supposed to be a faceoff between highly ranked fighters Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush. Both hold top five contender status for the lightweight belt, and the winner likely would’ve gotten a shot at a potential title match.
Unfortunately, Dariush went down last week with a broken fibula, leaving Bobby Green to replace him on short notice. While Green is a veteran with 29 career wins, the 35-year-old doesn’t provide the same challenge for Makhachev.
Makhachev is the No. 4 ranked contender in the UFC standings, boasting 20-1-0 all-time record. That includes a 10-1-0 mark in UFC fights, where he’s won each of his last nine bouts. Most recently, Makhachev took down top 10 fighter Dan Hooker last October.
The superb wrestler will look to get this fight to the ground where he can force his opponent into submission. Half of Makhachev’s UFC wins have ended by way of submission compared to just one coming via knockout.
Green, on the other hand, doesn’t boast the same grappling skills as his opponent. He doesn’t have the finishing power either, landing just two knockouts in his 17 UFC bouts. The majority of his fights go the distance, with 13 ending by decision.
He may not be able to count on a long fight with Makhachev, who won his last fight midway through the first round.
Who is favored in UFC Fight Night?
This isn’t a good matchup for Green. He is far outmatched in wrestling skill. He doesn’t possess knockout power. He hasn’t had the luxury of preparing for a matchup versus a top five foe.
To make things more difficult, he’s fighting on just two weeks rest after beating Nasrat Haqparast on February 12.
Green is a longshot to win and the odds reflect that.
Makhachev is the overwhelming favorite, boasting -835 odds at SugarHouse. Green’s UFC odds currently sit at +550. If he can pull the upset, a Green win could provide a huge payout though it’s highly unlikely.
With the odds so skewed, it may be best to avoid the money line and look for a more valuable bet.
As far as length of fight goes, an early ending appears to be in the cards. Chances of the bout ending in the first round sit at +225, the best odds of any round. If you look further, Makhachev’s chances of ending the fight before round three sit at +110.
When looking at method of victory, the obvious choice has to be a Makhachev submission. As of now, that is the most likely method with odds at -112 according to SugarHouse.
Green’s chances are much slimmer. He has +1200 odds of a KO, +2600 odds of a submission, and +1400 odds of a win by decision.
UFC Fight Night Prediction
As we mentioned before, it may be best to avoid the money line. We’ll take Makhachev to win by submission as the best bet on the board. A $112 bet would yield a $100 profit.
Makhachev has posted submission wins in five of his 10 victories. With Green fighting on short rest, he lacks the preparation and defense to stop his opponent’s ground attack.
Look for this one to end relatively early with Makhachev landing his 10th straight win.
UFC Picks: Makhachev wins via submission (-112); Makhachev to win in rounds 1-2 (+110)