Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 Odds & UFC 318 Predictions

Expect fireworks when reigning UFC Light Heavyweight king Magomed Ankalaev and former champion Alex Pereira renew their heated rivalry this Saturday at UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 in the packed T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

Also competing at UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 is defending bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili, who will take on Cory Sandhagen, while former champ Jiri Prochazka battles Khalil Rountree Jr. With so many exciting fights on tap, there are plenty of ways to join the action this weekend. In this article, we’ll talk about the latest betting odds and our predictions for the fights.

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Latest betting odds for Ankalaev vs Pereira 2

Ankalaev opens as a massive 1.32 favorite across top UFC betting sites in his rematch versus Pereira. This is no surprise, given his dominant performance in their first encounter, where he secured a convincing unanimous decision victory. Pereira, on the other hand, comes in as the underdog, although it is worth noting that the Brazilian was able to stop most of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts in their initial encounter.

Best betting picks for UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2

There are so many things to be excited for at UFC 320 besides the blockbuster matchup between Ankalaev and Pereira. Here are some of the best betting picks that could be worth a couple of units this weekend.

Over 2.5 Rounds for Patchy Mix vs Jakub Wiklacz – 1.84

I am honestly surprised that you can still get the over 2.5 rounds for the Mix-Wiklacz bout at 1.84. While both fighters are well-rounded and possess strong grappling and striking skills, I expect Mix and Wiklacz to approach the fight cautiously and feel each other out in the early rounds. Mix will likely focus on re-establishing his rhythm after a tough UFC debut, while Wiklacz may pace himself to avoid taking unnecessary risks, especially since he is making his first appearance in the Octagon. Of course, there is always a possibility of a finish considering that they are both submission specialists, but I like to think that both fighters will focus more on implementing their game plan instead of throwing caution to the wind.

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Khalil Rountree Jr to win – 2.47

Rountree Jr. to win at 2.47 is another sports betting play I am looking at in this card. As a matter of fact, I might even sprinkle a little on the Rountree Jr. KO/TKO prop bet once they are available. While Prochazka does really well in chaotic exchanges, that aggression can usually be neutralized by a good counter striker, and that’s exactly who Rountree is. As we’ve seen in his previous fights, Rountree Jr. has the timing and power to capitalize on openings. If he can weather the early storm and land clean and heavy strikes, he could stop Prochazka inside the distance. My only worry for Rountree Jr. here is that he tends to let his emotions get the better of him at times, which could be costly against an unpredictable fighter like Prochazka. However, if Rountree stays composed and sticks to his strategy, his striking and knockout power make him a very real threat to end the fight early and secure a statement victory.

Alex Pereira to win – 3.32

I might ruffle someone’s feathers with this pick, considering how Ankalaev dominated Pereira in their previous encounter, but the value here is on the Brazilian. While Ankalaev is the more well-rounded fighter of the two, I just think Pereira’s power and finishing ability are enough to reclaim the title he lost earlier this year. In their first matchup, the 38-year-old Brazilian striker was too busy defending takedowns that he wasn’t able to generate his own offense. If Pereira can dictate the pace and keep the fight standing, where he is most dangerous, he could force Ankalaev to react recklessly, which could potentially leave openings for strikes and counters. Of course, that is easier said than done, especially with how Ankalaev was able to control range and mix in takedown attempts in their first fight, but the 3.32 price is just too hard to pass up considering the knockout power of Pereira.

Conclusion – Taking advantage of value plays ahead of UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2

There are so many value betting angles in UFC 320 from Rountree Jr to win and Pereira to reclaim the title to prop bets like over 2.5 rounds on the Mix-Wiklacz fight. In fact, I like to think that this is one of the cards where you just bet the dog or pass. Either way, don’t wait before the odds tighten and click on the banners to sign up at your favorite sportsbooks right now to make your plays ahead of UFC 320.

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