UFC Fight Night Best Bets: Saturday February 26th

The UFC is back this weekend with more fighting action with Islam Makhachev and Bobby Green headlining the main event in the Lightweight division. We have 2 very enticing Best Bets for this event, but only one of them is on the main card. I’m backing Hannah Goldy to beat Jihn Yu Frey, and Yoel Alvarez to get the job done against Arman Tsarukyan.

UFC Fight Night Best Bets:

• Arman Tsarukyan vs Yoel Alvarez: Alvarez to Win (2.82)
• Jinh Yu Frey vs Hannah Goldy: Goldy to Win (2.53)

Odds as at 4pm February 23rd 2022. Odds may now differ.

Arman Tsarukyan vs Yoel Alvarez Best Bet

Arman Tsarukyan is a young up-and-comer in the UFC lightweight division looking to continue his winning streak to 5 wins in a row after taking down Christos Giagos in September 2021. Tsarukyan lost his UFC debut against Islam Makhachev but bounced back nicely with this winning streak with 3 of these wins coming by decision. He is primarily a wrestler who absorbs very few strikes and likes to dominate his opponents on the ground. He is also a solid striker with good technique and nice kicks, but he isn’t exactly a knockout artist. Unfortunately, he is facing an opponent that has the physical advantage in this one, and I don’t see him as the favourite as the 1.47 odds to his name suggest.

Yoel Alvarez is also riding a 4-fight winning streak at the moment and coming off a TKO victory over Thiago Moises. But with a 16-centimetre height advantage, a 13-centimetre reach advantage and 16 career submission victories, Alvarez is a very dangerous opponent in this one. The bookmakers have him as the underdog, but he is coming in with a huge physical advantage that is very difficult to overcome. He is also a very capable striker with a lot of knockout power, and his recent victory against a very durable Moises is a testament to his power in the division. One point of concern for him against Lightweights is his durability, I don’t believe Tsarukyan will be able to put him away. Alvarez has a very dangerous guillotine, which is going to be a threat for his opponents when attempting takedowns, and I just see a lot of upside for backing him in this one. The odds are perfect at 2.82 and Alvarez provides a lot of betting value in this fight.

• Selection: Alvarez to Win
• Best Odds: 2.82 (Marathonbet)
• Stakes: 7/10

More Arman Tsarukyan vs Yoel Alvarez tips

Jinh Yu Frey vs Hannah Goldy Best Bet

Jinh Yu Frey started her UFC career on the wrong foot, losing her first two fights, but bounced back nicely with two decision victories in her last two. She is primarily a grappler who rarely keeps the range but absorbs 4.06 significant strikes per minute. Her takedown defence is excellent at 90%, but she only lands 37% of her own takedowns. Frey is the more experienced fighter in this one, but with 6 careers losses, 2 by KO/TKO and 1 by submission, it’s not an advantage. And despite having a slight reach advantage, her subpar striking ability and power will prevent her from coming out on top. Despite this, she is the heavy favourite at 1.57 odds.

At 29 years of age, Hannah Goldy is the younger fighter by a 7-year margin, but has only 1 fewer UFC fight under her belt.  Goldy absorbs 4.85 strikes per minute, but she also lands 6.05 and she is very durable, having never suffered a TKO/KO defeat in her career so far. Goldy is extremely strong for the Strawweight division and has a height advantage. I’m expecting a very close and physical fight here, and it such situations physical dominance is a huge advantage. What’s more, as the younger fighter, you know Goldy is hungry to make a name for herslef in the UFC and earn the big money. I see a lot of upside in backing her this weekend, and the best part is she is a heavy underdog. Goldy provides excellent value in this fight, and I have no problem backing her to get the job done this Saturday night.

• Selection: Goldy to Win
• Best Odds: 2.53 (Unibet)
• Stakes: 6/10

More Jinh Yu Frey vs Hannah Goldy tips

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