UFC 237: Brazil's biggest stars in the City of God

It's no secret that Brazil is one of the world's MMA hotbeds. It's also no secret that online betting for UFC Odds is at an all time high as the sport remains as popular as ever. As such, the UFC makes a point of often holding a big event in the world's fifth largest country, by population and geographical size.

On Saturday May 11th, from Rio de Janeiro, the City of God, UFC 237 will feature some of the greatest mixed martial artists to ever come out of Brazil.

UFC 237 Picks and Predictions

So when examining UFC 237 Betting Odds being that the card is in Brazil, what has this meant in the past for Brazilian UFC fighters?

In the last 3 UFC events held in Brazil, Brazilian born fighters, competing on the main card against non Brazilian born fighters are 10-2.

Some of you may see where I'm going with this.

Jose Aldo vs Alexander Volkanovski

Since Jose Aldo (28-4) lost back to back fights vs Max Holloway, the best 145 lb fighter in the world, he has rebounded with not only two wins by TKO, but two Performances of the Night bonuses against Jeremy Stephens and Renato Moicano. 

At UFC 237, Aldo gets to continue his career resurgence against Alexander Volkanovski (19-1), a kickboxer for whom stylewise, matches up perfectly as an opponent for Aldo. This will be by far the biggest fight of Volkanovski's life against his toughest opponent to date. At the price we're being given this actually feels like a gift. Not that Aldo is invincible, but he will have the momentum and will of an entire nation of 200 million people behind him. The stage may be a little too big for his opponent.

PICK: JOSE ALDO -138 on William Hill 

See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:

Anderson Silva vs Jason Cannonier

I inaccurately predicted that Anderson "Spider" Silva (34-9) would get knocked out in his last fight against now Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. But clearly in the twilight of his career, the 44 year old now gets another shot to post a win in a UFC Octagon and perhaps retire on his terms with a victory. 

Enter his opponent Jason "Tha Killa Gorilla" Cannonier who is 35 and did not have his first professional fight until age 27, and who thus far in 8 UFC fights is 4-4, finally did something of note, by earning a Performance of the Night bonus in his last fight, a TKO victory over journeyman David Branch.

This just feels like the UFC is throwing Silva the easiest opponent they possibly could and still justify it as a main card fight. This doesn't mean that Silva is a sure bet to win, as the UFC Vegas Odds have him listed as an underdog.

But he is getting extra value considering Anderson Silva is 9-1 in his career fighting in Brazil with his only loss coming to another Brazilian all the way back in 2000.

PICK: A very small wager on ANDERSON SILVA +140.

Jessica Andrade vs Rose Namajunas

Standing at 5'1", 115 lbs it won't take long for casual fans to realize why Jessica Andrade (19-6) is headlining UFC 237. She absolutley brawls. This will be her second shot at the UFC women's strawweight title having lost a unanimous decision to then Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, back in 2017. Since then, Andrade has won three straight fights to vault back into the number 1 contender spot and get another title shot in her home nation.

It was Rose Namajunas (9-3) who eventually dethroned JJ. Namajunas then went on to cement the title victory by winning the rematch back in April 2018 and has since not fought. But the great Champion that she is, Thug Rose accepted this fight in enemy territory where she is the slightest betting underdog.

I'm going to break the trend of backing Brazilians by electing to take the value of the underdog Champion. I can't blame you if you choose to steer clear of this one however...it really is a toss up.

PICK: ROSE NAMAJUNAS +110 on William Hill 

You can follow me on twitter @zahir_gilani

Category : Online Betting News

Tag : mma odds , UFC , UFC 229 , UFC 237 , UFC 237 Picks , UFC Odds , UFC Picks

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