UFC 260 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview – Miocic vs Ngannou 2

• Heavyweight title rematch headlines UFC 260 with Stipe Miocic vs Francis Ngannou
• Sean O’Malley returns against Thomas Almeida
• See the odds, picks, and betting preview for the full UFC 260 main card, below

The UFC remains at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC 260, which goes down on Saturday, March 27, 2021. In the main event, heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic looks to defend his belt against knockout artist Francis Ngannou. The fight also serves as their rematch at UFC 220, where Miocic dominated the fight. The co-main event sees former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley take on rising contender Vicente Luque.

UFC 260 airs live on pay-per-view on March 27, 2021, at 10 PM EST in Las Vegas. The table below shows odds for the main card at DraftKings, followed by best bets for the event.

UFC 260 Odds

All odds as of March 22

Does Ngannou Finally Become Heavyweight Champion?

Francis Ngannou was too young and inexperienced when he fought Stipe Miocic at UFC 220 as the champ used his wrestling to dominate and control the fight and win all five rounds. However, Ngannou switched camps and appears to be more mentally ready for the title fight this time around.

Miocic & Ngannou Recent Fights

Since losing to Miocic back in January of 2018, Ngannou was hesitant in his next fight and lost a decision to Curtis Blaydes. He has followed that up with four first-round knockout wins, and the longest he has gone is 1:11, as his KO’s have come just 20, 26, and 45 seconds into the fight.

The big question entering the rematch is whether or not Ngannou has gotten better at takedown defense. Miocic dominated the fight by avoiding the power shots and using his wrestling to gas out the challenger. However, since that fight, Ngannou hasn’t been able to prove if his takedown defense is any better. The two wrestlers he most recently fought in Blaydes and Velasquez, he knocked them out in 26 and 45 seconds.

Miocic vs Ngannou Stats

Ultimately, I do trust the coaching of Eric Nicksick, and everything I have heard has pointed to Ngannou’s wrestling and mindset being much better. Although Stipe Miocic is the greatest heavyweight of all-time, he is now 38-years-old and is slowing down.

Since they first met, Miocic was KO’d by Cormier and then rocked in the other two fights by Cormier. This time around, I expect Ngannou to get the first or second-round KO to become the new champ.

Pick: Francis Ngannou (-130)

Can Woodley Snap His Losing Skid?

UFC 260 could very well be do-or-die for Tyron Woodley and his UFC career.

Woodley & Luque Recent Fights

This fight really comes down to, is Tyron Woodley past his prime, or was he just fighting the best three welterweights? There is no question his last three losses were to the best three welterweights, however, he was gun-shy in the fight as he was barely throwing punches. He has lost 15 consecutive rounds and hasn’t been competitive in any of them, and his coaches have been screaming at him to throw his hands, but for whatever reason, he hasn’t.

Against Luque, if Woodley goes back to his roots and wrestles he could very well win this fight. However, I just can’t trust Woodley who can’t get going for whatever reason. I expect the Brazilian, who is the better striker, to piece up Woodley for three rounds and win a clear-cut decision. It could also be the final time Woodley competes in the UFC.

Pick: Vicente Luque (-265)

Other UFC 260 Picks:

1. Sean O’Malley (-305): O’Malley is the better striker and will likely KO Almeida early in this fight to get some hype back behind him.
2. Khama Worthy (-152): Worthy is the better striker, and that is where this fight will take place. The question is, does he finish him or get the decision? I lean decision as Mullarkey has proven to be very durable.