UFC Vegas 47 Opening Odds (Hermansson vs. Strickland)

The UFC is back after their first pay-per-view of 2022 with UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland on ESPN+.

The main event is between two top 10 Middleweight fighters in Jack Hermansson and Sean Strickland. Hermansson has been the closest to fighting for the belt, losing at the end of 2020 to Marvin Vettori in a potential title eliminator fight. However, he bounced back to knock off Edmen Shahbazyan with a convincing decision victory this past May.

However, "The Joker" will have his hands full with Strickland, who is on an incredible run up the Middleweight ranks. He is 24-3 in his MMA career, winning his last five fights dating back to 2018.

This is a high level main event, but this is a loaded card featuring 13 fights, here are the full odds from WynnBET Sportsbook.

• Malcolm Gordon (+195) vs. Denys Bondar (-245)
• Jason Witt (+130) vs. Philip Rowe (-150)
• Jailton Almeida (-390) vs. Danilo Marques (+295)
• Alexis Davis (-220) vs. Julija Stoliarenko (+175)
• Chidi Njokuani (-120) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (+100)
• Hakeem Dawodu (-185) vs. Michael Trizano (+155)
• Miles Johns (-220) vs. John Castaneda (+175)
• Julian Erosa (-300) vs. Steven Peterson (+238)
• Tresean Gore (-165) vs. Bryan Battle (+140)
• Sam Alvey (+275) vs. Phillip Hawes (-360)
• Shavkat Rakhmonov (-235) vs. Carlston Harris (+185)
• Punahele Soriano (-190) vs. Nick Maximov (+160)
• Jack Hermansson (+175) vs. Sean Strickland (-220)

Hermansson vs. Strickland Prediction and Pick

The prop market isn't available for this fight just yet, but my initial thought for this main event is that Strickland is in line to win by decision.

While "The Joker" possesses a one inch reach advantage on Strickland, his most defining trait is his grappling game, averaging more than two takedowns per 15 minutes in his UFC career, per UFCStats.com. However, Strickland is a strong grappler himself, able to control clinch situations and flaunts an 82% takedown defense.

Strickland is the far better striker, averaging more than half a significant strike per minute in the UFC more than his opponent and also has a strong 66% defensive striking mark, a stark contrast from Hermansson who has been prone to getting touched up by his opponents. The Swedish fighter has a striking defense of 54%.

I see Strickland stuffing multiple takedown defenses and winning this one with relative ease against Hermansson as he continues his ascent up the Middleweight ranks.

LEAN: Strickland by Decision

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