UFC on ESPN 2: Barboza vs Gaethje Odds and Predictions

• The UFC heads to Philadelphia on March 30
• Will Edson Barboza vs Justin Gaethje be the Fight of the Year?
• See the odds for all fights at UFC on ESPN 2

UFC on ESPN 2, scheduled for Saturday, Mach 30th, will be the first time the UFC heads back to Philadelphia since UFC 133, which came back in 2011.

In the main event, top lightweights square off as Edson Barboza is set to take on Justin Gaethje. While in the co-main event, David Branch is back to take on unranked Jack Hermansson.

The main card is live on ESPN at 7 pm EST.

Edson Barboza vs Justin Gaethje Odds

*All odds taken March 24 updated March 29

Fight Record and Recent History

Barboza (20-6)  is back after putting on a dominant performance against Daniel Hooker back in December.

He simply outclassed Hooker and used his famous leg kicks and body punches all fight long. Before that, however, Barboza lost to Kevin Lee and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

He was simply outclassed by two wrestlers. But he does hold wins over the likes of Anthony Pettis, Gilbert Melendez, and Paul Felder among several others.

Barboza has been in there with some of the best in the sport and can add Gaethje’s name come fight night.

Gaethje (19-2) also snapped his two-fight losing streak in his last fight. The fan favorite knocked out James Vick in the first round.

Before that, he had absolute wars against the likes of Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez, while beating Michael Johnson in his UFC debut. The former World Series of Fighting champion also holds a win over Nick Newell.

Barboza vs Gaethje Tale of the Tape

Four legs will enter the Octagon and most likely about two will leave.

Both fighters have arguably the best leg kicks in the entire UFC and both leave serious damage on their opponents.

Look at Poirier after his fight with Gaethje. He was needing crutches and could barely walk after the fight. On top of that, the two both like to stand and trade which should make it an exciting fight.

Both Barboza and Gaethje have shown they have knockout power and both have shown they can take several punches. In the striking department, Barboza will no doubt have the advantage, but the power advantage will go to Gaethje.

If Gaethje can finally implement his world-class wrestling he should have an easy night, as Barboza has struggled with wrestlers his entire career. However, Gaethje has said before he is here to put on a show and will no doubt stand and trade with Barboza.

Ultimately, the judges will not be needed in this one as Gaethje knocks out Barboza to get the win as the underdog.

Pick: Justin Gaethje (+140)

David Branch vs Jack Hermansson Odds

Fight Record and Recent History

Branch (22-5) is looking to get back into the win column after he got knocked out by Jared Cannonier at UFC 230 in the second round.

At times, Branch has looked like a top middleweight but he can never get over the hump.

But in the fight before Cannonier, Branch did knockout Thiago Santos, which not many fighters can say they have done.

Branch also lost to Luke Rockhold, but was the former World Series of Fighting middleweight champion with wins over the likes of Louis Taylor, Krzystof Jotko among others.

Hermansson (18-4) is riding a two-fight winning streak after getting knocked out to Thiago Santos back in 2017. Since the loss, Hermansson had a TKO win over Thales Leites and a submission win over Gerald Meerschaert.

Hermansson is a former middleweight champion in smaller promotions before entering the UFC.

Branch vs Hermansson Tale of the Tape

There is no question Branch has fought the better fighters in his career.

However, the question is, can Branch’s chin hold up against Hermansson’s power, as it did not against Cannonier.

Ultimately, this fight is a close one, as the oddsmakers agree, but in the end I see Hermansson scoring a knockout win in the second round.

Pick: Jack Hermansson (-120)

The Rest of UFC on ESPN 2 Main Card Odds