UFC 251: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway odds, picks and best bets

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UFC 251: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway odds, picks and best bets

(Editor’s note: This post first appeared on Sportsbook Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network.)

Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway tangle in a rematch for the featherweight title on the main card Saturday at UFC 251 at the UFC’s Fight Island facility on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 10 p.m. ET on Pay-Per-View.

Volkanovski (21-1) has what Holloway (21-5) wants, and what was once his – the featherweight championship. The Australian defeated Holloway last time out at UFC 245 by unanimous decision in a co-main event last December at UFC 245. In fact, Volkanovski’s last loss was seven years ago, falling to Corey Nelson via TKO (punches) on May 9, 2013. Since arriving on the UFC scene, Volkanovski has won each of his eight fights, with three KO/TKO and five unanimous decision victories.

Holloway (21-5) lost an interim lightweight title fight to Dustin Poirier at UFC 236 but bounced back with a win over Frankie Edgar at UFC 240 to defend his 145-pound title. However, as mentioned above, Holloway was edged by Volkanovski at UFC 245 in his most recent bout. Each of Holloway’s past three events have ended in unanimous decision, two being losses. He has fought into the third round in each of his past nine events, so don’t expect a quick finish to this one.

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Volkanovski vs. Holloway betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, July 10 at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Volkanovski (-223) is heavily favored vs. Holloway (+180) in the rematch, but keep in mind that the former champ from Hawaii hasn’t dropped back-to-back fights since setbacks against Conor McGregor and Dennis Bermudez back in the summer of 2013.

Holloway has a lot of mileage on his body, as this will be his 21st fight, tops in the featherweight class. He leads all feathers with 16 wins, three more than runner-up Darren Elkins. Holloway also has eight KO/TKO wins with seven total fight night bonuses. I can see Holloway pulling the upset in the rematch to get his title back, but I’d rather suggest a generic KO/TKO/DQ (+210) finish to this one rather than a specific winner.

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In addition, taking NO (+180): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a tremendous value, and makes the Under 4.5 (+180) Rounds wager make little to no sense. Give yourself a little more wiggle room with the distance wager.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Volkanovski (-223) returns a net profit of just $4.48. A $10 wager on this fight ending via KO/TKO/DQ (+210) fetches a profit of $21, while a $10 play on No (+180) for the fight going the distance returns a net profit of $18.

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UFC 251: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway odds, picks and best bets