UFC 266 Will Feature Two Title Fights And The Return Of Nick Diaz – Sep 25
MMA fans have been waiting for UFC 266, not just because it features two exciting title fights. One of the main reasons this pay-per-view card is going to create a buzz is because it features the return of Nick Diaz, the elder brother of Nate Diaz.
UFC 266 will take place on Sep 25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Main Event will feature a UFC featherweight title fight between champ AlexanderVolkanovski and jiu-jitsu specialist Brian Ortega. The co-main event will see ValentinaShevchenko defend her UFC flyweight title against Lauren Murphy. Robbie Lawler will rematch Nick Diaz in a 5 round fight.
Let’s take a look at the betting odds and predictions for these three fights.
Volkanovski vs. Ortega
AlexanderVolkanovski and Brian Ortega were part of the Ultimate Fighter reality TV show, and during this time, there was a little tension between the two fighters. While some of it was part of the show, there is enough to suggest that these two don’t really like each other.
Volkanovski has beaten former champ, Max Holloway, twice and that speaks volumes as the MMA community believes that Holloway is arguably the greatest featherweight fighter in the division. Volkanovski had two close decision wins against Holloway but is confident that he will have a dominant win over Ortega.
The bookmakers seem to think so as they have Volkanovski as the betting favorite with odds of 4/7, while Ortega is the betting underdog with odds of 6/4. Ortega is the most dangerous when he is on the ground as he is a BJJ specialist. However, he showed in his last fight against the Korean Zombie that his striking improved greatly after being taught a bloody lesson in the Octagon by Max Holloway.
Volkanovski did well against Holloway because he could take him down and score points with the judges. If Volkanovski tries to take Ortega down, he isn’t going to mind because that’s where he thrives. This will be an interesting matchup stylistically, but we think Volkanovski might be able to walk off with another decision win.
Shevchenko vs. Murphy
Valentina Shevchenko has dominated all her opponents at featherweight, and her latest challenger comes in the form of the experienced Lauren Murphy. No surprise to see Shevchenko as a massive betting favorite for this fight as she goes in with odds of 1/12. The bookmakers are giving Murphy a puncher’s chance with odds of 7/1.
The truth is Valentina Shevchenko is better in all departments. She is the better striker, has the better ground game, and has the experience of fighting tougher opponents than Murphy. We will have to side with the sportsbooks and back Shevchenko to defend her championship again successfully.
Diaz vs. Lawler
Nick Diaz has been out of the fight game for the last 6 years, but his fan following has only grown bigger with each passing year. Nick has teased fans for the last few years about returning to the UFC, but nothing materialized as Nick kept posting videos of him smoking pot and parting in Vegas.
Well, the Stockton gangster will make his much-awaited return to the Octagon as he takes on Robbie Lawler again. The last time these two fighters faced each other was back at UFC 47 in 2004.
A young Nick Diaz surprised both Robbie Lawler and MMA fans when he taunted Lawler in the ring with his word and actions. A visibly upset Lawler was caught off-guard and ended up being KO’d in the second round. The UFC has posted this fight on their YouTube channel, and it has already got over 1.2 million views.
Bookmakers have given both fighters odds of 10/11 as they believe this fight is too close to call as of now. This speaks volumes for Nick Diaz as he hasn’t had a professional MMA fight for the last 6 years, but Lawler has been fighting in the UFC. Robbie Lawler has lost his last four fights in the UFC, with his last loss coming at the hands of Neil Magny in August 2020.
Other Exciting Fights
The UFC has stacked this card with several big names and exciting fights, apart from these three big fights. Some of the fights we think you should watch out for include a heavyweight clash between Curtis Blaydes (1/3) and JairzinhoRozenstruik (12/5), Dan Hooker (8/15) and NasratHaqparast (13/8), and Karl Roberson (10/11) vs. NickMaximov (10/11).
We are going to put our money on Curtis Blaydes, Dan Hooker, and NickMaximov to win!
