Curtis Blaydes and Alexander Volkov were supposed to meet in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the match to be rescheduled to this month. The long wait is soon to be over, as the two are finally going to square off this coming Saturday in Las Vegas, as the main event of UFC Fight Night. That and four other excellent fights make up the main card. Read on for a brief preview of each of those bouts below.
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Betting Preview for UFC Fight Night at Apex Las Vegas Featuring Curtis Blaydes vs. Alexander Volkov and the Other Big Cards on June 20 2020
Where: UFC APEX, Las Vegas
When: Saturday, June 20, 2020
TV Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Odds: View UFC Fight Night Odds
Curtis Blaydes (-300) vs. Alexander Volkov (+220)
Heavyweight
Blaydes and Volkov are all set to put on a show, which MMA fans should be excited for, especially to those who like battles between strikers and grapplers. Blaydes has won all his last three fights, the latest being a TKO victory over former heavyweight king Junior Dos Santos back in January. Blaydes (13-2-0) is averaging 6.63 takedowns per 15 minutes. He is also the current record owner for the most takedowns among active heavyweights with 45 — 20 more than any other heavyweight. Volkov, however, is not easy to bring to the mat. His takedowns defense (82.8 percent) is the best among all active heavyweights in the UFC. Volkov is 7-1 in his last eight fights.
Writer’s prediction:
Blaydes knocks Volkov out in the second round.
Josh Emmett (+110) vs. Shane Burgos (-140)
Featherweight
Emmett (15-2-0) will enter Saturday’s date with Burgos well-rested. His last fight occurred way back in July of 2019 against Mirsad Bektic, whom Emmett took just 35 seconds to demolish in a TKO win. Prior to that, Emmett defeated Michael Johnson in March of the same year. Emmett has a 6-1 KO record. Burgos is riding a three-fight win streak. His most recent fight ended in a TKO win over Makwan Amirkhani last November. Burgos (13-1-0) is a dangerous striker with a 5-1 KO record, 7.09 significant strikes per minute, and 50.34 percent significant strikes accuracy.
Writer’s prediction:
Burgos wins via KO.
Raquel Pennington (-140) vs. Marion Reneau (+110)
Women’s Bantamweight
At 42 years old, Reneau (9-5-1) is not going to stop her age from continuing his MMA career. Reneau has lost his last two fights against Yana Kunitskaya and Cat Zingano, but both were via unanimous decisions, which means she makes her opponents work hard for victories. If anything, Reneau, 31, has yet to be knocked out or submitted in her career. Pennington (10-9-0) has gone 1-2 in three fights since losing to Amanda Nunes in a title fight two years ago. She lost her last fight against Holly Holm in January.
Writer’s prediction:
Pennington wins via split decision.
Lyman Good (+115) vs. Belal Muhammad (-145)
Welterweight
This fight was originally expected to happen in April, but had to be rescheduled after Good tested positive for COVID-19. Good is good now, though, and he’ll be meeting Muhammad after all. Good (21-5-0) is always ready to exchange blows, as he is averaging 5.32 significant strikes per minute. Of his 21 wins, 11 are via knockouts. He also possesses a strong chin, as he’s never been knocked out so far in his MMA career. Muhammad (16-3-0) is also a striker, who’s averaging a not-too-shabby 4.37 significant strikes per minute. Good is 6-1 in his last seven fights, with five of those victories coming via decisions.
Writer’s prediction:
Good wins via knockout.
Jim Miller (+190) vs. Roosevelt Roberts (-250)
Catchweight (160 lbs)
Miller (31-14-0) is one of the oldest faces in the UFC, and he’ll add more to his experience fighting in the company this coming Saturday. Miller, 36, is coming off a unanimous decision loss at the hands of Scott Holtzman back in February, which interrupted his two-fight win streak. Miller will be banking on his extensive experience when he takes on Roberts, who’s only turned pro in 2016. Roberts (10-1-0) is four inches taller than Miller. His only loss so far in his career was dealt by Vinc Pinchel last year via unanimous decision.
Writer’s prediction:
Roberts wins via decision.
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