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UFC 207 Odds: Rousey Returns; Cruz Defends

Don Aguero

by Don Aguero in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:39 AM PST

With UFC 206 behind us, the next big show in MMA will take place on Dec. 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, as Ronda Rousey returns to the octagon at UFC 207. 

As it stands, the official card contains two title fights: Rousey v. Nunes (women’s bantamweight) and Cruz v. Garbrandt (men’s bantamweight). But there are some other very interesting match-ups as well, including a heavyweight slugfest between Fabrício Werdum and Cain Velasquez, as well as a potential bantamweight title eliminator between T.J. Dillashaw and John Lineker.

As we saw from UFC 206, injuries can happen and cards can change. But let’s take an early look at the odds on the two title fights.


Ronda Rousey (-170) v Amanda Nunes (+140)

Before being obliterated by Holly Holm at UFC 193, Rousey (13-1) was the undefeated women’s bantamweight champion. She seemed unbeatable, ending her last few title defenses in mere seconds. But when she lost, she went off the deep end, mentally, and hasn’t fought since. Holm exposed some glaring flaws in her striking game and showed the world that Rousey is definitely not unbeatable.

The title has shifted hands a couple of times since Rousey left. Holm was easily submitted in the first round by Miesha Tate, who was then submitted in the first round by Amanda Nunes (13-4). The Brazilian is a striker by trade (nine KO wins), starting as a karateka and boxer, but she’s no slouch on the ground (like most Brazilians), holding three submission victories, as well. Only one of her fights has ever gone to the judges (a 2013 loss to Sarah D’Alelio). 

Rousey is favored to reclaim her title and pick up where she left off. But the women’s bantamweight division has taken significant strides since she left and there’s value on the champ at +140.

Pick: Amanda Nunes (+140)


Dominick Cruz (-220) vs Cody Garbrandt (+180)

Dominick Cruz (22-1) is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. His last fight was at UFC 199 against Urijah Faber and he beat him convincingly. But that fight was over a year ago, and Cruz has been inactive since due to injury. He’ll have to shake off the ring rust quickly against Cody Garbrandt if he’s going to keep his belt.

Garbrandt may only be the fifth-ranked bantamweight fighter, but he boasts an undefeated record with ten wins, including nine by knockout. His last three fights ended via first-round KOs. That said, Garbrandt has never had to deal with an opponent like Cruz. The 25-year-old will be making a big step up in competition. 

I expect Garbrandt to give Cruz a solid test, but the champ hasn’t lost in nearly a decade (at WEB 34 versus Faber in 2007) and has never lost in the UFC.

Pick: Dominick Cruz (-220)


Photo credit: “help us ronda” by darrell A, CC BY-SA 2.0 [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0], via Flickr. [Cropped]

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