Valentina Shevchenko vs. Taila Santa UFC 275 Prediction and Odds (Shevchenko Biggest Favorite on Card)
By Reed Wallach
Arguably the most dominant fighter in the UFC takes the stage once again to make her seventh title defense.
Valentina Shevchenko is on a dominant run since moving to flyweight, winning all eight of her fights in the UFC in the weight class, typically lined as a massive favorite and making it look even easier. She steps foot in the octagon for the first time in 2022 to face 19-1 Taila Santos at UFC 275 in Singapore.
Here are the odds for the Flyweight clash, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook:
Taila Santos vs. Valentina Shevchenko Odds, Total
Moneyline:
- Santos: +450
- Shevchenko: -625
Total:
- 3.5 (Over -155/Under +130)
Taila Santos vs. Valentina Shevchenko Prediction and Pick
This is the third shortest line of Shevchenko's career at Flyweight, meaning that oddsmakers are giving Santos a better chance than most at pulling an upset. However, Santos hasn't done enough to impress me over her UFC tenure to back her pulling the upset.
Santos has wins over over the hill fighters such as Joanne Wood and Roxane Modafferi as well as an undersized grapple specialist like Gillian Robertson. She has never seen a fighter that can combine her striking with grappling like Shevchenko can.
The challenger has 10 of 19 wins by knockout, but she has a minimal reach advantage (2 inches, per UFCStats.com) against Shevchenko and only has one win inside the distance in her six UFC fights. I expect this to be too big of a jump in class for Santos and for 'Bullet' to roll to another early finish.
It's worth noting that Santos has never fought in championship roads before while Shevchenko has shown the capability of pushing the pace and the cardio to hold up late, securing a 4th round KO over the overmatched Lauren Murphy in her last title defense. However, I'll be looking for violence early and another easy defense for the Russian champion, but if Santos is able to take Round 1, the champ is worthy of a live bet.
LEAN: Shevchenko by KO
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!