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After spending a couple of weeks at Fight Island in the United Arab Emirates last month, the UFC is back at the APEX facility in Las Vegas for its first event of 2021. The event starts at 5 p.m. with seven preliminary bouts, followed by a main card starting at 8 p.m. and featuring five bouts. The event will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.
The main card is topped by a main event between Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov. Overeem enters the octagon ranked fifth in the heavyweight rankings, while Volkov is ranked sixth. We are here to breakdown the odds on that fight and a couple others on Saturday’s card that may be of interest. As always, odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov
There’s not a better way to end the UFC Fight Night on Saturday night than a main event match between two of the best in the heavyweight division. Overeem enters the Apex with a professional fighting record of 47-18 (1 NC) and as the underdog (+160). But don’t let the odds fool you as the skilled veteran is receiving 74% of the handle and 63% of bets.
“Demolition Man” Overeem last fought in September at UFC Fight Night 176, where he defeated Augusto Sakai in the main event by TKO in the fifth round. Overeem has won two-straight bouts and four of his last five fights, dating back to 2018.
As for Volkov, he walks into the octagon as the favorite (-190), but is only receiving 26% of the handle and 37% of bets. The 32-year-old fighter has a professional fighting record of 32-8.
The Russian mixed martial artist has gone 2-2 in his last four games, going back to 2018. At UFC 254 in October, “Drago” Volkov defeated Walt Harris by TKO in the second round. Out of Volkov’s 32 wins, he has recorded 21 winning decisions by TKO/KO.
Corey Sandhagen vs. Frankie Edgar
Sandhagen v. Edgar is the co-main event for UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov on Saturday night. The 28-year-old Sandhagen enters as the favorite (-435). He is receiving a majority (54%) of the bets, but is only receiving 27% of the handle. He has a professional fighting record of 13-2 and is ranked second in the bantamweight division. The “Sandman” last fought in October at UFC Fight Night 179, where he defeated Marlon Moraes by TKO in the second round.
Before that match, Sandhagen suffered his first loss in the UFC in June and only second in the last four years. At UFC 250, the Colorado native lost to Aljamain Sterling by submission in round 1.
As for Edgar, he walks into the co-main event as the underdog (+320), but is seeing a lot of action on the betting lines. The 39-year-old is receiving 73% of the handle on 46% of bets. “The Answer” Edgar has a professional fighting record of 12-5 and ranked fourth in the bantamweight rankings. The New Jersey native snapped his two-match losing streak last year at UFC on ESPN 15 in August. In that respective bout, Edgar defeated Pedro Muhnoz by split decision. But in those two losses, he lost by TKO in round 1 and unanimous decision.
Karol Rosa vs. Joselyne Edwards
In the only women’s bantamweight bout on the card, Karol Rosa will fight Joselyne Edwards. Rosa enters as the overwhelming favorite with the odds currently set at -225. She is receiving 80% of the handle and 69% of the bets. Rosa has a professional fighting record of 13-3 and won three-straight matches. This will be her third UFC bout after competing at UFC 251 in July, where she won a unanimous decision over Vanessa Melo. Rosa made her UFC debut a year prior in August 2019. At UFC Fight Night 157, the Brazilian mixed martial artist secured a split decision over Lara Fritzen Procopio.
Edwards walks into the octagon with a professional fighting record of 10-2. She made her UFC debut at UFC on ABC 1 in January. “La Pantera” defeated Yanan Wu by unanimous decision. Unlike her opponent, Edwards is the massive underdog (+175) only receiving 20% of the handle and 31% of bets.
Despite the odds being stacked against her, do not count Edwards as most of Rosa’s fights have gone the distance. Before joining the UFC, she fought at UWC (Mexico), LFA, KOTC, TFS, Panama Fight League, and Ultimate Combat Challenge.
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov betting splits
| Fights | Odds | % Handle | % Bets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fights | Odds | % Handle | % Bets |
| Jerome Rivera | 160 | 18% | 27% |
| Ode Osbourn | -200 | 82% | 73% |
| Seung Woo Choi | 175 | 30% | 32% |
| Youssef Zalal | -230 | 70% | 68% |
| Molly McCann | -162 | 48% | 56% |
| Lara Fritzen Procopio | 130 | 52% | 44% |
| Devonte Smith | -335 | 89% | 82% |
| Justin Jaynes | 255 | 11% | 18% |
| Karol Rosa | -225 | 80% | 69% |
| Joselyne Edwards | 175 | 20% | 31% |
| Timur Valiev | -360 | 95% | 93% |
| Martin Day | 275 | 5% | 7% |
| Danilo Marques | 188 | 22% | 20% |
| Mike Rodriguez | -240 | 78% | 80% |
| Michael Johnson | -225 | 67% | 72% |
| Clay Guida | 175 | 33% | 28% |
| Diego Ferreira | -117 | 22% | 25% |
| Beneil Dariush | -107 | 78% | 75% |
| Askar Askar | 365 | 51% | 23% |
| Cody Stamann | -500 | 49% | 77% |
| Alexandre Pantoja | -122 | 77% | 62% |
| Manel Kape | 100 | 23% | 38% |
| Frankie Edgar | 320 | 73% | 46% |
| Cory Sandhagen | -435 | 27% | 54% |
| Alexander Volkov | -190 | 26% | 37% |
| Alistair Overeem | 160 | 74% | 63% |
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