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Picks for UFC 236: Krylov Poised to Tie Up OSP Series

Dylan Bowker

by Dylan Bowker in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Apr 6, 2020 · 11:03 AM PDT

Nikita Krylov
Nikita Krylov is out for revenge. Photo by @KrylovUFC(Twitter)
  • UFC 236 goes down on Saturday April 13th
  • Look for Krylov to go 1-1 in his series with OSP
  • See my picks for the UFC 236: Gastelum vs Adesanya fight card below

UFC 236: Holloway vs Poirier 2 goes live from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia this coming Saturday. Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum go at it in the co-main event for Middleweight gold in one of two interim title fights set for UFC 236.

UFC 236 also features a pivotal rematch between Dustin Poirier and reigning Featherweight Champion Max Holloway with the UFC interim Lightweight Championship up for grabs. The rematch theme is at play in a number of fights throughout the event though. Peep my picks for UFC 236: Holloway vs Poirier 2 below!

Krylov Gets Revenge in the Rematch

Nikita Krylov and Ovince Saint Preux run it back once again in the octagon. Their first meeting took place over five years ago at UFC 171 with OSP scoring the first round submission win. Half a decade has gone by and much has changed for the two combatants as UFC 236 looms closer.

Krylov vs OSP Odds

Fighter Odds
Nikita Krylov -115
Ovince Saint Preux -115

*All Odds taken on 04/07/19

Krylov has gone 9-2 since the initial fight whereas OSP has logged a record of 8-7. Nikita Krylov is coming off a disappointing loss in his first Octagon foray since returning to UFC when he dropped a decision to Jan Blachowicz.

Krylov notched some impressive finishes on the European circuit though and I think this OSP fight can get Nikita back on track.

I’m going with Nikita Krylov in this rematch. Perhaps this will set up the rubber match years down the line.

Pick: Krylov (-115/ -113)

Grant Overwhelms Jouban

Grant vs Jouban is a bit of a crossroads fight for the tenured Jouban as Grant takes on his biggest step up in competition to date. The competitive merit/parity is reflected in how tight the odds are ahead of UFC 236.

Grant vs Jouban Odds

Fighter Odds
Alan Jouban -120
Dwight Grant -110

Jouban has significant wins over fighters like Ben Saunders, Mike Perry, and Belal Muhammad. Dwight Grant has garnered big time attention through efforts in Bellator and on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Grant lost a contentious split decision to Zak Ottow but immediately got back on track with a first round KO win in his next outing. Jouban also got back on the winning track last time out. All things considered, I have Grant all day at UFC 236.

Pick: Grant (-110/ -101)

Muhammad Mauls Millender

Both men are coming off losses earlier in 2019 and look to get their respective careers back on track for the remainder of the calendar year.

The career arcs of these pugilists are quite similar with both having Bellator experience, both cutting their teeth on the regional circuit, and both having bested a similar quality of competition prior to UFC 236.

Muhammad vs Millender Odds

Fighter Odds
Belal Muhammad -135
Curtis Millender +105

Belal has an edge in terms of Octagon experience though, and fighters speak ad nauseum about how those UFC lights just weigh on you in a different way. Muhammad’s track record performing under that pressure is just a bit deeper than Millender’s.

There’s definitely value in betting Millender but I’m leaning towards Muhammad in this bout. The way these styles match, Muhammad will notch another one into the win column. I’m picking Belal in this Welterweight prize fight at UFC 236.

Pick: Muhammad (-135/ -130)

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