UFC 280 is this weekend, with two title fights headlining the main card. In the co-main event slot, the UFC bantamweight belt will be on the line when Aljamain Sterling (21-3) attempts to defend his belt against former champion TJ Dillashaw (18-4).
Sterling vs Dillashaw betting picks come from breaking down and analyzing the styles these two fighters bring to the cage.
Styles make fights and that is all we can control from the outside when we know MMA is the most unpredictable sport there is.
Aljamain Sterling vs. TJ Dillashaw Information
- October 22, 2022
- Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- ESPN+
- 2 PM ET Main Card start time
Last Fight Records
Aljamain Sterling is on a 7-fight winning streak, including two championship victories over Petr Yan in the last two.
TJ Dillashaw is coming off an impressive victory over Cory Sandhagen after a long layoff from competing in the UFC.
Sterling vs. Dillashaw Analysis
The Sterling vs Dillashaw betting analysis can’t get started without pointing out Dillashaw’s past. He was popped a couple of years ago for PED’s and was disciplined for 2 years.
Dillashaw’s Performance Recap
There were a lot of question marks about how his body would perform after the years off… It turned out to be the same Dillashaw as before.
Dillashaw proved that he still has that dog inside of him, and he was able to win a 5-round war over one of the most skilled fighters in the division, Cory Sandhagen.
Dillashaw tore his knee up in the first round and still found a way to come away with a victory to earn himself a quick title shot.
Sterling’s Performance Recap
Sterling brings an unorthodox style of movement and striking, much like Dillashaw. This will be an interesting little chess match between these two high-level fighters trying to get to the distance they are comfortable in and implement their own game plan upon each other.
It will come down to the wrestling. Sterling is going to look to take the fight to the ground and ride Dillashaw until he gives up a limb or his neck.
This is no secret, and Dillashaw is supremely confident in his wrestling skills to keep Sterling at bay.
Odds Breakdown
Aljamain Sterling
Sterling proved a lot of haters wrong in his last fight against Yan, and he is finally getting respect from the oddsmakers being a -180 betting favorite in this one over the former champion.
Sterling was supposed to be ragdolled by Petr Yan, and he arguably won that fight dominantly, dismantling Yan on the ground and taking his back for many minutes in multiple rounds.
This is something that is probably in the plans for what Sterling wants to do to Dillashaw.
TJ Dillashaw
UFC odds have Dillashaw as the betting underdog at +158 as of right now in fight week. Dillashaw was once one of the most dominant rising superstars the UFC had on the roster.
Now is his chance to regain the throne of the bantamweight division and achieve that respected champion status back for his legacy.
Sterling vs. Dillashaw Betting Pick and Prediction
While breaking past UFC events with these two involved in it and making UFC predictions this weekend as easy as possible, you need to go with Sterling in this one.
Dillashaw seems like the easier pick, especially with the odds the way they are and his past success in the UFC. But you need to remember he is coming off major knee surgery, which Sterling is certainly going to go for.
Leg Attacks
Look out for a lot of leg attacks coming in the form of kicks or even leg-lock submissions in wrestling scrambles.
Sterling is really on a high level with his grappling and ability to use his pressure to get himself into great positions.
The way he mauled Sandhagen and took his back within seconds is something that Dillashaw needs to be worried about. That threat will be there at every moment of the fight.
This fight gets interesting if it lasts more than the first 3 rounds. Sterling has shown himself get tired in there, but if he can manage his gas tank well early, he should be able to compete hard for all of the 25 minutes.
Who to Bet On?
Sterling vs Dillashaw betting is something that can’t be overlooked just because you don’t like one or the other.
Sterling is ready to prove that he is the best in the world and is ready to take Dillashaw’s head off. Also, Dillashaw seems to be overlooking Sterling a little bit. My two best bets are going to be for Sterling to win, and I am going to ride with them all week.
Sterling is going to get this fight to the floor, maybe even compromise the leg of Dillashaw after a pretty quick turnaround after a major knee injury, and ride him to the last bell. Decision victory.
UFC Pick: Sterling (-180)
UFC Pick: Sterling winning by decision (+130)
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