UFC 268 Odds and Predictions – Usman vs. Covington on Nov 6
The UFC hosts two back-to-back pay-per-view cards, with UFC 267 taking place in Abu-Dhabi on Oct 30 and then following it up with UFC 268 in Madison Square Garden in New York.
UFC 268 will also feature two title fights that feature a rematch between UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington II and another rematch between UFC strawweight champ Rose Namanajunas and Weili Zhang II.
While the two title fights can produce a fight of the night or performance of the night, there are also several other exciting fights on the prelims and early prelims. We look at the betting odds and predictions for both title fights and a couple of bangers on the card.
Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington II
The first fight between these two elite welterweights occurred in December 2019 and was an all-out war which the champ Usman ended up winning by TKO at 4.10 seconds in the 5th round. Covington was livid with the stoppage and felt the referee Marc Goddard should not have stopped the fight.
Covington suffered a broken jaw during the fight but showed amazing heart and gave Usman the toughest fight in his career to date. Since then, Usman has defended his belt twice against Masvidal and once against Burns and finished all three fights. He goes in as the heavy betting favorite with odds of 1.33, while Covington is the underdog with odds of 3.40.
Usman has more KO power in his hands, is the stronger fighter in the clinch, and has great takedown defence. Covington does well because he puts on a pace that is hard to keep up with and is known for his cardio. However, we don’t think he has the tools to beat Usman and claim the title, and hence we will back the champ to retain the title.
Rose Namanajunas and Weili Zhang II
Rose challenged Zhang for the strawweight title in April 2021 and surprised many people when she ended up finishing the champ in the first round. The UFC has decided to give Zhang an immediate rematch, and it will be up to Thug Rose to show the world that she can beat Zhang again.
It’s not going to be easy for Rose as Zhang has been training like a beast and looks to be in tremendous shape. The Chinese MMA star said that she wasn’t as focused as she should have been in their first fight as she was distracted by things out of the cage. She isn’t making that mistake again and is confident she can reclaim her title.
The bookmakers have Rose as the betting favorite with odds of 1.80, while Zhang is not far behind with odds of 2.0.
Rose has great striking skills, excellent reach, and also has a good takedown defense. It’s hard to tell who will be the stronger fighter overall as they spent less than 2 minutes in the Octagon during the first fight. We will back Zhang to reclaim her title as we feel that she is going to prove a point and establish the fact that Rose got lucky in the first fight.
Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler
This fight has a performance bonus written all over it as Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje is a crowd favorite as he goes in with an attitude of kill or be killed. Gaethje and Chandler have had some back and forth leading into this fight, so there is a lot of tension going into this fight.
Gaethje is the betting favorite with odds of 1.57, while Chandler is the underdog with odds of 2.50. There is a lot on the line in this fight as the winner is likely to get a title shot against the winner of Oliveira vs. Poirier on Dec 11. We are going to stick with the bookmakers’ choice and back Gaethje to win.
Frankie Edgar vs. Marlon Vera
UFC veteran Frankie Edgar will take on Marlon Vera in an exciting bantamweight fight. Vera is looking to get a couple of big wins under his belt and make a run for a title fight. He goes in as the betting favorite with odds of 1.61, while Edgar is the underdog with odds of 2.37.
If the fight stays in the feet, Vera should win, but if Edgar can get a few takedowns, he could win by decision. We are going to back Edgar to win.
Al Iaquinta vs. Bobby Green
This is another fight that can finish as the fight of the night as both fighters have no quit in them. If it’s a striking match, Green might be able to edge out Raging Al, but if Al does get a few takedowns, he will finish with a win. Green is the favorite with odds of 1.62, but we back Iaquinta win even though he is the underdog with odds of 2.30.
