UFC Rio Rancho: Anderson vs Blachowicz 2 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview
- Corey Anderson and Jan Blachowicz run things back after their 2015 meeting
- Does the winner get the next title shot against Jon Jones?
- See the betting preview for the main and co-main event and odds for the main card below
The Ulitmate Fighting Championship (UFC) is in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, this Saturday, February 15 for UFC Rio Rancho where a potential number one contender bout at light heavyweight headlines the card.
In the main event, Corey Anderson and Jan Blachowicz run things back following their UFC 191 fight in 2015 where Anderson won by decision. The co-main event sees Diego Sanchez take on fan-favorite Michel Pereira at welterweight.
The main card airs live at 8:00 pm EST. The table below displays odds for the main card.
UFC Rio Rancho Odds
| Fighter | Odds | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Corey Anderson | -210 | -220 |
| Jan Blachowicz | +170 | +185 |
| Fighter | Odds | Odds |
| Diego Sanchez | +130 | +140 |
| Michael Pereira | -160 | -160 |
| Fighter | Odds | Odds |
| Devin Clark | -175 | -175 |
| Dequan Townsend | +230 | +245 |
| Fighter | Odds | Odds |
| Montana De La Rosa | -175 | -160 |
| Mara Romero Borella | +145 | +140 |
| Fighter | Odds | Odds |
| Brok Weaver | -280 | -280 |
| Rodrigo Vargas | +220 | +240 |
| Fighter | Odds | Odds |
| Lando Vannata | -110 | +100 |
| Yancy Medeiros | -120 | -120 |
*All odds taken Feb. 10
Does the Winner Earn a Title Shot?
Corey Anderson (13-4) is riding a four-fight winning streak and coming off a very impressive knockout win over Johnny Walker at UFC 244, where many thought the Brazilian would be too much for him. It was his first finish win since 2016. Before that, he earned decision wins over Ilir Latifi, Glover Teixeira and Pat Cummins. He also holds wins over the likes of Jan Blachowicz, Sean O’Connell and Fabio Maldonado.
Corey Anderson knocks out Johnny Walker then talks mad shit to his face
(via @espnmma) pic.twitter.com/7qA7o0eLxk— BroBible (@BroBible) November 3, 2019
Jan Blachowicz (25-8) has been a middleweight killer in his last two fights as he beat Jacare Souza by decision at UFC Sao Paulo, and before that, he knocked out Luke Rockhold. The Pole is the former KSW light heavyweight champion and has notable wins over Jimi Manuwa, Jared Cannonier, Nikita Krylov, Ilir Latifi and Devin Clark.
In this fight, it will come down to whether or not Jan Blachowicz can stuff Corey Anderson’s takedowns.
When they fought back in 2015, Anderson utilized his wrestling as he landed four takedowns, and was a perfect four for four on takedowns. With him taking the fight on the ground, he was able to neutralize Blachowicz’s power, which was the key to his win.
There is no doubt Blachowicz is a better wrestler and has better takedown defense as evident by the Souza and Rockhold fight where he was able to keep it standing. He also proved against Rockhold that he only needs one punch to knock someone out, and we’ve seen Anderson be knocked out before.
Yet, I think Anderson will be able to avoid the power right hand and use his wrestling to grind out a decision or perhaps a ground and pound TKO win. Should he get his hand raised, he may very well get the next shot against Jon Jones.
Pick: Corey Anderson (-210)
Anderson vs Blachowicz Matchup Table
| 30 | Age | 36 |
| 6’3″ | Height | 6’2″ |
| 79″ | Reach | 78″ |
| 2 | UFC finishes | 4 |
Who Will Return to the Win Column?
Diego Sanchez and Michel Pereira is a fantastic matchup that should be the early favorite for Fight of the Night honors.
Pereira is just 1-1 in the UFC but is known for his crazy entrance to the Octagon and doing somersaults and frontflips and backflips inside the Octagon. In his debut, he used kicks off the cage and weird movement to land a flying knee that knocked out Danny Robert. Yet, in his second fight, Tristan Connelly let the Brazilian gas himself out with his flips and scored a decision win.
? Backflips
? Somersaults
? Flying KneesMichel Pereira was a wildman at #UFCVancouver last night! pic.twitter.com/2yuD0GqFoe
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 15, 2019
In this fight, Sanchez needs to be smart and can’t let Pereira land something flashy on him. Even if the Brazilian does, Sanchez is a tough guy to finish, so I think Sanchez can avoid the power shots in the first round and use his wrestling and striking to grind out a decision win.
Pick: Diego Sanchez (+140)
Other UFC Rio Rancho Picks:
- Devin Clark (–175): Townsend is taking this fight on short notice and a natural middleweight, Clark will use his size and striking to win by decision.
- Montana De La Rosa (-160): De La Rosa is phenomenal on the ground and has shown improved striking, she’ll earn a submission win here.
- Brok Weaver (-280): Weaver has solid submissions and striking and will take the fight to the mat and earn a submission win.
- Yancy Medeiros (-120): Vannata is too inconsistent for my liking and I believe Medeiros is the better striker and will earn a decision win.
Cole graduated from Sheridan College in April of 2019 with a diploma in journalism. He now is a full-time freelance writer, focusing on MMA for sites like BJPENN, while also covering the Toronto Blue Jays as a credentialed media member. At SBD, Cole covers the four major sports and MMA.
