Jamahal Hill will face Khalil Rountree Jr. in the Main Event of UFC Baku. Both fighters are looking to get back to winning ways after losing their previous bouts.
The Prelims start at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the Main Card beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET on ABC. Here are my two best bets for UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree Jr.
Khalil Rountree Jr. To Win By KO/TKO/DQ (+120)
Hill averages over three more significant strikes per minute than Rountree, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Rountree has the power advantage as he has one-punch knockout power.
Rountree has won five of his last six fights, with four coming by knockout. He has the most knockouts and knockdowns in UFC light heavyweight history. Even though Rountree and Hill are both -110 on DraftKings Sportsbook, getting Rountree to win by KO/TKO/DQ is the better play.
Hill has struggled a ton lately, as he has been knocked out in his two previous fights. Even though Rountree was finished in his last fight as well, he seems fresher. Hill hasn’t won a fight since January 2023, and it is unknown if he can still compete with the best light heavyweights in the world. Seven of Rountree’s nine victories in the UFC Octagon have come by knockout, and another one seems near for the former title challenger.
Oban Elliott to Win by KO/TKO/DQ or Submission (+150)
The Welsh Gangster has modeled his UFC career after his idol, Chael Sonnen, and so far, he has lived up to the hype and more. He is 3-0 in the UFC and has won eight straight fights. Elliott hasn’t suffered a loss since December 2021.
He is coming off his third knockout of his career and first in nearly four years. Elliott continues to put it all together and is becoming a more complete fighter as his career progresses. He is facing Seokhyeon Ko, who most recently won on Dana White’s Contender Series.
In this matchup, Elliott is two inches taller (6’0″ vs. 5’10”) while having a slightly larger standing reach (72″ vs. 71″). This fight will most likely take place on the feet, favoring Elliott. If Elliott wants to keep climbing the welterweight rankings, he will not only have to win but do so in impressive fashion. Elliott hasn’t had back-to-back finishes since 2019, but the Welsh Gangster seems focused and primed to beat Ko in impressive fashion. You can get Elliott at +150 on DraftKings Sportsbook to win this bout by KO/TKO/DQ.
