Explosive Bout Awaits
Thiago Santos (light-heavyweight) and Magomed Anakalaev (light-heavyweight) are two of the less well-known and more soft-spoken fighters in the UFC Light Heavyweight Division. However, if you put them together, it’s sure to be explosive.
Santos (22-9 MMA; 14-8 UFC) and Ankalaev (16-1 MMA; 7-1 UFC) are scheduled to meet in a five-round main fight on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 203. The event takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and is streamed on ESPN+.
This is a familiar situation for Santos. It’s his sixth UFC headliner and 11th fight in a row against an opponent ranked.
Last Fights Records
Santos
Santos is coming off a win from last October. Across his last 10 bouts, he has scored five wins, for an even 50% win ratio.
Santos had difficulty with takedowns and was able to defend 66% of his attempts. He was also taken down four times by Glover Teixeira during his 2020 submission loss.
Ankalaev
Ankalaev has had more success lately. He, too, won his last match, on October 30 last year, but has also won seven in a row. He has only lost one bout in his last eight.
Ankalaev’s game has one remarkable aspect: he will often throw multiple shots at once, rather than just one. His counters are precise and his kicks can be devastating and lightning-fast.
Matchup Information:
- Saturday, March 12
- Las Vegas, NV
- UFC Apex
Santos vs. Ankalaev Betting Analysis
Santos Betting Analysis
Johnny Walker was defeated by Santos in a unanimous decision in October. He is now back after three straight losses. The skid began with Jon Jones’ July 2019 fight against Santos.
Ankalaev Betting Analysis
Ankalaev (16-1) has won seven fights consecutively since his UFC debut. His most recent win was in October when he won unanimously over Volkan Ottemir.
Two Strong Contenders
Ankalaev is enjoying the moment. This is his first appearance at the top of UFC’s billing and he is eager to enjoy it with a “violent victory.”
A UFC main event is usually a good sign for the future. Both men are believed in by the promotion. Santos is a well-known contender who has fought for the belt and Ankalaev is a promising contender with the potential to fight for the belt.
Ankalaev is aware that this is his chance to communicate. He is currently on a seven-fight winning streak at the UFC but his names don’t stack up against Santos. He knows that if he can defeat the Brazilian and does it well, he will be in contention for a title shot.
Santos knows he’s in for a battle. In speaking to reporters this week, he stated, “Ankalaev is a tough guy; there’s no question about that. But I’m here to fight against the best fighters of the world, the best of this division. It’s just one more fight for me and I’m excited.”
Santos stated that he expected a “chess match” with Ankalaev this week. Santos, tied for second in UFC history with Derrick Lewis’s most knockouts, is capable of taking out any opponent. He is also aware that there are no guarantees for a finish.
Santos vs. Ankalaev Betting Preview
Sportsbooks like Ankalaev as the large -550 favorite and Santos is the +375 underdog. To make a $100 profit on Ankalaev wins, you will need to stake $550. A $100 winning bet on Santos will net you $375.
Ankalaev’s odds of winning translate to an implied win probability at 84.62%. Santos’ odds, on the other hand, have an implied win probability of 21.05%.
Ankalaev’s achievements have been impressive, but he has zero recognizable wins on his resume. A KO/TKO win is possible if Santos can keep this fight going for as long as possible.
Santos vs. Ankalaev Betting Prediction
- Because of Ankalaev’s recent performances and his strength, he deserves his spot as the favorite.
- Magomed Ankalaev Inside The Distance
How to Bet on Santos vs. Ankalaev
Ankalaev won his last three fights against Ion Cutelaba (knockout), Nikita Kralov (unanimous decision), and Volkan Oezdemir (unanimous decision). As a result, back him to win inside the distance in this bout.
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