Saturday brings MMA fans and gamblers two for the price of one. To be exact, UFC 266 offers a loaded main card of five bouts. Two of those fights are for championships. From the featherweight class, defending champion Alexander Volkanovski meets Brian Ortega. And then Valentina Shevchenko faces Lauren Murphy in the flyweight class. Volkanovski has an impeccable UFC betting Reputation as a champion. And he is ranked #4 in the UFC pound for pound rankings. Volkanovski is a past champion from Australia. In like manner, Brian Ortega is a past RFA featherweight champion.
UFC 266 – Volkanovski vs. Ortega Main Card
| Date and Time: | Saturday, September 25, 2021, 10 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| UFC Fight Night Main Card TV Coverage: | ESPN+ |
Featherweight Title Bout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | -170 |
| Brian Ortega | +150 |
On the whole, Alexander Volkanovski has a sports betting record of 22-1. Brian Ortega brings a ledger of 15-1.
The last time out for Brian Ortega was a unanimous decision win over Chan Sung Jung on October 18, 2020. UFC Fight Night from Abu Dhabi was the event. Previously, Ortega lost a technical knockout to Max Holloway on December 8, 2018. The loss to Holloway was for the UFC featherweight championship. UFC 231 took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The last time for an Alexander Volkanovski loss was on May 10, 2013. Late on, Volkanovski is coming off back-to-back wins over Max Holloway. On December 14, 2019, Volkanovski scored a unanimous decision win over Holloway. UFC 245 from Las Vegas, Nevada, was the venue. As a result, Volkanovski won the UFC featherweight championship. Following that was a rematch at UFC 251 from Abu Dhabi. Volkanovski scored a split decision win to retain his title belt.
Women’s Flyweight Title Bout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Valentina Shevchenko | -1250 |
| Lauren Murphy | +750 |
To begin with, Valentina Shevchenko has a career record of 21-3. Lauren Murphy enters this championship bout at 15-4.
In sum, Valentina Shevchenko is riding a seven-bout winning streak. She is a former UFC women’s bantamweight champion. Since December 8, 2018, Shevchenko has been the UFC women’s flyweight champion. Late on, Shevchenko has five consecutive title defense wins of that belt. On April 24, 2021, she scored a technical knockout victory over Jessica Andrade. UFC 261 from Jacksonville, Florida, was the event.
Lauren Murphy is a former Invicta FC bantamweight champion. Also, Murphy is riding a five-bout winning streak. Last time out on June 12, 2021, Murphy scored a split decision against Joanne Calderwood. UFC 263 from Glendale, Arizona, was the venue.
Welterweight Bout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Nick Diaz | +100 |
| Robbie Lawler | -120 |
Nick Diaz has a career UFC Betting odds record of 26-10. And then Robbie Lawler is at 28-14 for his career.
Heavyweight Bout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Curtis Blaydes | -210 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | +245 |
In sum, Curtis Blaydes owns a career ledger of 14-3. Jairzinho Rozenstruik checks into the octagon at 12-2.
Women’s Flyweight Bout
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jessica Andrade | -280 |
| Cynthia Calvillo | +225 |
Jessica Andrade has a career record of 21-9. By contrast, Cynthia Calvillo brings a mark of 9-1-1.
UFC 266 SBG Free Picks
In this situation, Alexander Volkanovski has a record that can’t be ignored. Most important of all, the price is not bad, considering his reputation. Meanwhile, the prohibitive cost on Shevchenko makes Murphy an attractive alternative.
UFC 266 SBG Best Bets: Alexander Volkanovski and Lauren Murphy