UFC 226 Predictions and Betting Odds

Written by: on November 27, 2019.

International Fight Week culminates in UFC 226, among the best cards on paper we’ve seen in a while. This card is stacked top to bottom — I would seriously advise watching nearly all of the bouts with this card — but that doesn’t always lend itself nicely to bettors. Don’t worry, I am here to bring you an in-depth breakdown and prediction for every fight on the primary card of UFC 226.
2018 Prediction Record To Date
Straight Up Selecting Notifications Picking Underdogs
27-19 23-13 4-6
Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier
Miocic (-250) has assembled his game around his world-class boxing abilities. He always probes with his long jab as he waits for his opportunity to cancel. That having been said, Miocic might be better if he’s fighting in a phone booth with much more power in his short punches than most humans have, period. Additionally, the reigning winner is a former D1 wrestler that has adapted his style excellently to MMA. Ordinarily, these skills are used defensively but Miocic will also use them offensively to wear down opponents — view his latest bout vs Francis Ngannou. If he’s one big drawback, it is his defense. He’s got a bad tendency to take a hit to provide a hit.
Cormier (+195) is first and foremost a chain wrestling pro. The former Olympian is at his finest when he could get his opponent’s back against the cage and start working his vast array of takedowns. If he gets on top, DC is a master at making his opponent work when giving them go. His striking is not the sexiest however, the meat-and-potatoes approach is getting an superb secondary skill set for Cormier. Though he is proven as a heavyweight — 13-0 at the weight class — his height and reach disadvantage is going to probably be announced in this one.
Contrary to the betting odds, I wouldn’t be shocked if Cormier won this struggle. The only man to ever beat him is Jon Jones. However, Miocic is a great fighter that will utilize his reach advantage over the smaller Cormier along with the heavyweight champion’s wrestling background means that he will not be steamrolled from the former Olympian.