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UFC 238: Cejudo vs Moraes Odds

Cole Shelton

by Cole Shelton in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Mar 30, 2020 · 6:42 AM PDT

Henry Cejudo
Photo by MMAnytt.se Wikimedia Commons) [CC License].
  • UFC 238 goes down on Saturday, June 8th in Chicago
  • Two title fights headline the card
  • See the odds for all the main card fights below

The Octagon returns to Chicago, Illinois for UFC 238. The event promises to be one of UFC’s top pay-per-views of the year. In the main event, flyweight champion Henry Cejudo is moving up in weight to fight Marlon Moraes for the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship. While in the co-main event, women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is looking to defend her belt for the first time against Jessica Eye. Also on the card is arguably the best fight of the year in Tony Ferguson taking on Donald Cerrone.

The main card airs live on pay-per-view at 10:00 p.m. ET, with the prelims on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. ET and the early prelims on ESPN+ at 6:15 p.m. ET.

UFC 238: Henry Cejudo vs Marlon Moraes Odds

Fighter Book 1 Odds Book 2 Odds
Henry Cejudo +105 +108
Marlon Moraes -135 -128

*All odds taken 06/02/19

Fight Record and Recent History

Cejudo (14-2) is coming off of two shocking wins. First, at UFC 227, he ended the dominant reign of Demetrious Johnson and won the flyweight belt by unanimous decision. Then, at UFC Brooklyn in January, bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw was moving down in weight to take on Cejudo. Ultimately, the flyweight champion knocked Dillashaw out in just 32 seconds to defend his title. The Olympic gold medalist also has notable wins over the likes of Sergio Pettis, Jussier Formiga, and Wilson Reis, among others.

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Moraes (22-5-1) is riding a four-fight winning streak with wins over Raphael Assuncao, Jimmie Rivera, Aljamain Sterling, and John Dodson. He has also beaten Sheymon Moraes back in World Series of Fighting when he was champion. His only loss in the UFC was his debut against Assuncao, but he got the win back earlier this year.

Cejudo vs Moraes Tale of the Tape

Cejudo
VS
Moraes
32 Age 31
5’4″ Height 5’6″
64″ Reach 67″
3 UFC title fights 0
2 UFC finishes 3

There is a clear path to victory for both Cejudo and Moraes in this fight. If the flyweight champion can use his Olympic wrestling as he did against Johnson then he will grind out a decision win. For Moraes, he needs to use his explosiveness to stuff the takedowns and keep Cejudo at a range where he can pick him apart with his jab.

Ultimately, this is a close fight just like the oddsmakers think, but I have to favor the champion and the underdog in this one. Cejudo has proven everyone wrong time and time again, and he truly is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. I see him being able to out-wrestle Moraes and win on the scorecards to become a champ-champ.

Pick: Henry Cejudo (+108)

Valentina Shevchenko vs Jessica Eye Odds

Fighter Book 1 Odds Book 2 Odds
Valentina Shevchenko -1400 -1750
Jessica Eye +750 +1050

Fight Record and Recent History

Shevchenko (16-3) is coming off winning the vacant flyweight title against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231. Before that, she dominated Priscila Cachoeira and won by submission in her UFC flyweight debut. There is no question 125-pounds is her weight class but she has had success at bantamweight. She lost a split-decision to Amanda Nunes at UFC 215 for the title, where many believe Shevchenko won. She has notable wins over Holly Holm, Julianna Pena, and Sarah Kaufman, among others.

YouTube video

Eye (14-6 and one no-contest) is undefeated since going to flyweight, which is her natural weight class. At bantamweight, she was on a four-fight losing streak but has now won three in a row. She is coming off of wins over Kalindra Faria, Jessica Rose-Clark, and most recently, Katlyn Chookagian, at UFC 231.

Shevchenko vs Eye Tale of the Tape

Shevchenko
VS
Eye
31 Age 32
5’5″ Height 5’6″
67″ Reach 66″
2 UFC title fights 0
2 UFC finishes 1

 

First off, the odds are way too high for this fight. Although I believe Shevchenko will win this fight, I may be in the minority who think it will be a closer fight than many expect. Eye is a scrappy fighter, who if she can make it a dirty-style of fight, like get in close, she could have success against the champion. And, the fact that she is hard to finish at flyweight and has the cardio to go the distance it will be a tougher fight for Shevchenko than most expect. So, if you are betting this is a dog or pass scenario.

Ultimately, Shevchenko by decision or late finish is my pick.

Pick: Shevchenko (-1400)

The Rest of UFC 238 Main Card

Fighter  Odds
Tony Ferguson -170
Donald Cerrone +140
Fighter  Odds
Jimmie Rivera +260
Petr Yan -340
Fighter  Odds
Tai Tuivasa -175
Blagoy Ivanov +145
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