This Saturday, two of the UFC’s most exciting bantamweight women will go to war at UFC 279 in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena for the chance to fight Amanda Nunes in a title fight further down the line.
With each woman 3-2 across their last five fights and seeking to solidify themselves as real title contenders, expect this matchup to be entertaining between two tough UFC women fighters.
We look at the best odds for Aldana vs. Chiasson betting and break down each fighter’s chances in this matchup.
Fighters’ Previous Fight Performance
Both women are entering this fight off the back of a win, having dropped their previous fight. Irene Aldana fought this time last year, walking away with a first-round technical knockout over Yana Kunitskaya.
Since then, her fights have all been canceled last minute, meaning she’s been out of the ring for longer than hoped.
Macy Chiasson, however, was in the ring in May of 2022, where she won a tough split decision over Norma Dumont to bounce back from her earlier loss.
Aldana vs. Chiasson Betting Analysis
Irene Aldana
In a division where most fighters have been bashed around by Amanda Nunes at least once, Irene Aldana is one of the few female bantamweights that hasn’t been subjected to this.
The American has a patchy professional fighting record, making her debut a decade ago in 2012. Since then, she has amassed a record of 13-6-0, with her wins coming by a healthy mix of knockouts and submissions.
Aldana’s Debut
Aldana made her UFC debut six years ago in 2016 against Leslie Smith, where she was beaten by unanimous decision.
Months later, she made it 0/2 in the UFC through another decision loss, this time a split decision against Katlyn Chookagian.
Since then, however, she went 5-1 in her UFC fights schedule and was looking well placed for a title fight before losing to Holly Holm on Fight Island in late 2020.
She bounced back by beating Yana Kunitskaya a year ago and is again back in contention for a title fight—an impressive win over Chiasson this weekend may be what’s required to get it across the line.
What Would Help Aldana in this Fight?
Key for Aldana this Saturday will be her left hook, one of the most vicious weapons in the game.
The Mexican will want to maintain her good takedown defense from recent fights, manage the distance between herself and Chiasson, and seek to pick up points and hurt her opponent through her reach advantage.
If she can do this, chances are an opportunity will open up for that left hook to be utilized to devastating effect.
Macy Chiasson
As the younger and less experienced fighter of the two, Chiasson will be looking to punch above her weight and score a big win against Aldana.
Making her professional debut in 2017, the 31-year-old transitioned into the UFC soon after and has fought seven of her professional fights within the organization, putting together a 5-2 record to go with her overall professional record of 8-2-0.
Chiasson Latest Wins
Chiasson’s last three wins have come by way of decision, though she did score four knockouts and two submissions earlier in her professional career.
Her most recent loss was to Raquel Pennington through a second-round guillotine choke in December 2021, following which she got back in the winning circle by claiming a split decision over Norma Dumont.
Should Chiasson win over Aldana, she also becomes part of the title fight conversation. However, lose again, and she risks slipping into stagnation in her career, as 8-3-0 isn’t title fight material.
For the American, she’ll want to get in close to Aldana, to minimize her speed and knockout power.
Chiasson’s Path to Victory
Getting tight and hurting her opponent in the clinch is the best path to victory for Chiasson, who can turn this fight into an ugly dog fight and wear her opponent down with elbows and knees, plus plenty of strikes to the body.
Aldana vs. Chiasson Betting Preview
Looking at the bookmakers’ odds ahead of this fight, Irene Aldana is favored with a moneyline of -170, compared to Macy Chiasson’s +145.
Clearly, there’s little between these women, but the bookies are favoring Aldana’s slightly better record, as well as the danger of her knockout power.
The fact that Chiasson’s return to the Octagon was less than convincing, while Aldana has bounced back comprehensively from her loss to Holly Holm, will also help in the making of these odds.
Aldana vs. Chiasson Betting Prediction
We see this one ending with an Aldana win, most likely by knockout. Chiasson is going to try to get in close and outwork Aldana in the clinch.
However, though she may find some success here, Aldana is too fast and too skilled to allow this to happen repeatedly.
Look for Chiasson to get hurt on the way in, and this to end by way of knockout to Aldana in the late second round.
UFC 279 Pick: Chiasson (+145)
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