Best Underdog Picks for UFC 239: Holly Holm Is Ready to Shock the World Again

• UFC 239 goes down Saturday, July 6th at 10:00 p.m. ET
• Can Holly Holm shock the world and reclaim the Bantamweight title once again?
• Can Gilbert Melendez snap his losing streak?

UFC 239 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, July 6th. The event’s card is topped with two title bouts as Jon Jones defends against Thiago Santos, and double champ Amanda Nunes defends her bantamweight gold against former champion Holly Holm. The annual international fight week card always delivers, and this event certainly has some gems.

There are also a few compelling underdog bets to look forward to, which I’ll break down below.

Pannie Kianzad vs Julia Avila Odds

*Odds taken 07/04/19

Kianzad Wins in UFC Return

The bantamweight bout between Pannie Kianzad and Julia Avila goes on the preliminary portion of UFC 239. Avila has finished the majority of her fights and has experience on the Invicta circuit. I just think Kianzad has had a stronger schedule and her experience will give her the advantage.

UFC 239 marks Kianzad’s UFC return after losing to Macy Chiasson at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. I think Avila will have some octagon jitters making her UFC debut and Kianzad will be able to exploit that.

Lina Lansberg got stopped by Pannie Kianzad w/ GNP from Mount w/ about 16 seconds left in R3 in her Pro debut (2012) #ufcpoland #UFCGdansk pic.twitter.com/S7vpyNJ9LA

— HONKY EXTRAORDINAIRE (@Mr_Honky) October 8, 2017

I have Kianzad securing the win at UFC 239.

Pick: Kianzad (+180)

Holly Holm vs Amanda Nunes Odds

Holm Shocks the World Again

Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes lock horns in the co-main event at UFC 239. Amanda Nunes has been getting hyped up now more than ever on the heels of her emphatic KO of the monolithic Cris Cyborg. The perceived air of invincibility surrounding Nunes is something Holm has encountered in the past.

Amanda Nunes has been getting hyped up now more than ever on the heels of her emphatic KO of the monolithic Cris Cyborg.

Heading into her respective bouts against Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg, Holly was faced with similar foreboding rhetoric surrounding her opponent. We all know what happened in that Ronda fight though.

It's been more than three years since @HollyHolm was the UFC women's bantamweight champ! Can she reclaim it by dethroning Amanda Nunes at #UFC239? #HollyHolm #AmandaNunes @Amanda_Leoa @HollyHolm #WMMA

via: @wmmajunkie (IG) pic.twitter.com/3xJN3IZPFF

— Brawl in the Cage (@BrawlintheCage) June 26, 2019

I think Holly is an intriguing underdog bet heading into this fight. Holm is used to thriving in high pressure situations through multiple world title bouts in both boxing and MMA. Holly’s cardio over five rounds, her footwork, and her ability to work well at a kickboxing range are all hugely beneficial tools. Especially for a foe like Nunes who has a power centric style that doesn’t always translate to a sustained effort over multiple rounds. I see Holly Holm becoming  a two-time UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion at UFC 239.

Pick: Holm (+350)

Gilbert Melendez vs Arnold Allen Odds

Gilbert Gets Back in the Win Column

Gilbert Melendez returns after close to two years away from competition. El Nino looks to snap a losing streak, but Melendez doesn’t have a pushover in front of him. Arnold Allen has tasted defeat only once, is riding a seven fight win streak, and five of those were UFC victories.

The former Strikeforce and WEC Lightweight Champion has his back against the wall as Melendez has lost his last four. Gilbert switched divisions in his last bout, and is looking to notch his first UFC win at featherweight. Arnold Allen has the youth advantage and the momentum, but he hasn’t encountered the same murderer’s row of opponents as Melendez.

"I've fought all of the greats. I don't think he's fought a great fighter yet." — @GilbertMelendez breaks down the experience differential between he and Arnold Allen and why he accepted the bout in the first place@MieshaTate @RyanMcKinnell #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/HTCYcjQ0ru

— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) July 4, 2019

Melendez has victories over names like Shinya Aoki, Diego Sanchez, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Josh Thomson, Clay Guida, and Jorge Masvidal (who competes in a possible welterweight title number one contender’s bout against Ben Askren this Saturday). The two were supposed to fight at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. Allen vs Melendez will finally come to fruition, and I see Gilbert winning at UFC 239.

Pick: Melendez (+300)