UFC 239: Jones vs. Santos Odds and Predictions

• The Octagon returns to Las Vegas for a stacked UFC 239
• Two titles are on the line
• See the odds for the entire main card here

UFC 239 goes down on Saturday, July 6, 2019 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, Jon Jones will look to defend his light heavyweight title against Thiago Santos. In the co-main event, Amanda Nunes looks to defend her bantamweight title against former champion, Holly Holm.

UFC 239 airs live on Pay-Per-View with the main card starting at 10:00 pm EST.

Jon Jones vs. Thiago Santos Odds

*All Odds Taken 06/30/19

Fight Record and Recent History

Jones (24-1-1) is coming off of a decision win over Anthony Smith to defend his title back in March. Before that, he beat Alexander Gustafsson, again, to win the light heavyweight title back at UFC 232. The champion is arguably the greatest fighter of all-time and has beaten the likes of Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, Shogun Rua, Lyoto Machida, and Rashad Evans among others.

Santos (21-6) meanwhile, is undefeated since moving up to light heavyweight. All three of his light heavyweight wins in the UFC have come by TKO/KO, where he beat Eryk Anders, Jimi Manuwa, and Jan Blachowicz on the path to the title shot. In his career, he has beaten some notable names like Anthony Smith, Jack Hermansson, and Elias Theodorou among others.

Jones vs Santos Tale of the Tape

Jon Jones is a big favorite for a reason. The champion has looked unbeatable in the Octagon and appears he will easily get through Thiago Santos. Although some people are buying that Santos will be able to knock Jones out, I am not one of those people. Personally, I think Anthony Smith was a harder fight than Thiago Santos is for Jon Jones. The only chance Santos has is to catch Jones, which is unlikely.

The 31-year-old is one of the best fighters to adapt mid-fight and figure their opponent out. And, Jones is not dumb and will not stand in the pocket and trade with Santos. Rather, he will use his wrestling and jiu-jitsu to get the fight to the mat and submit Santos is my pick.

Eryk Anders went 6/10 on takedowns on the Brazilian, and he even admitted to me that Jones is twice the wrestler he is. And, given the fact that Santos has been submitted twice in his career before, it seems like that is how the champ will defend his title.

Pick: Jon Jones (-575)

Amanda Nunes vs. Holly Holm Odds

Fight Record and Recent History

Nunes (17-4) is coming off of a shocking knockout win over Cris Cyborg in just 51 seconds to become the first-ever female fighter in UFC history to become a champ-champ. The Brazilian has beaten the likes of Raquel Pennington, Valentina Shevchenko, twice, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Germaine de Randamie, and Sara McMann among others.

Holm (12-4) is coming off of a decision win over Megan Anderson at UFC 225 over a year ago at featherweight. Before that, she lost to Cyborg for the featherweight title. At bantamweight, she is coming off of a knockout win over Bethe Correia. She has beaten the likes of Ronda Rousey, and Raquel Pennington among others but has lost to Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, Germaine de Randamie, and Miesha Tate, all girls who Nunes beat.

 Nunes vs Holm Tale of the Tape

Like the main event, the champion is a big favorite for a reason. Amanda Nunes is the best women’s fighter ever, while many are questioning why Holm even got the title shot. She was supposed to fight Aspen Ladd, but that fight was canceled to make this one, and being 2-5 in her last seven now gets her the title shot.

In this fight, I am not sure where Holm as an advantage. Nunes has more power, and better striking, even with Holm having a kickboxing record.

Ultimately, I see Nune beating Holm by decision to defend her bantamweight title and cement herself as the GOAT of women’s MMA.

Pick: Amanda Nunes (-325)

The Rest of UFC 239 Main Card