Jared Cannonierlooks out over the gang earlier than the beginning of his middleweight foremost bout in opposition to Nassourdine Imavov on the UFC Struggle Evening combined martial arts occasion Saturday, June 8, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. UFC on ESPN 62 on the Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night time is headlined by a middleweight struggle between former title challenger Jared Cannonier and rising Brazilian Caio Borralho.
That is the fourth consecutive foremost occasion for Cannonier (17-7-0), who’s coming off a fourth-round stoppage loss to Nassourdine Imavov in June. Nonetheless, he has gained seven of his first 10 fights within the 185-pound class, highlighted by a win over Sean Strickland.
Borralho (16-1-0) has reeled off 5 consecutive wins and is now inside the highest 15 middleweight contenders. The 31-year-old’s most up-to-date triumph was a stoppage in opposition to Paul Craig.
“In my final struggle, my mantra was, ‘I’ll KO Paul Craig,’ and I did it,” Borralho advised ESPN MMA this week. “On this struggle, my mantra is, ‘I’ll present that the brand new champion has arrived.’ That is my mantra proper now.”
Cannonier has misplaced consecutive fights simply as soon as in his profession, and this is a crucial struggle to retain his standing among the many high contenders.
He’s a +220 underdog at BetMGM, the place he has been backed by 59 p.c of the entire bets however solely 31 p.c of the cash since opening at +145. Borralho has gone within the different course, shifting from a -175 favourite to -275.
OTHER MAIN CARD MATCHES
ANGELA HILL (17-13-0) vs. TABATHA RICCI (10-2-0)
The co-main occasion is a strawweight battle. Hill, 39, is looking for her third consecutive victory after scoring a submission win over Luana Pinheiro in her most up-to-date struggle. On Saturday, she’ll be part of Jessica Andrade as the one girls to struggle 25 instances within the UFC. Ricci is seeking to bounce again from consecutive losses following a four-fight win streak to start her tenure within the division.
Thought of one of many closest fights on the cardboard, Ricci has acquired lopsided motion with 96 p.c of the cash backing her at +105 to beat Hill (-125).
RYAN LODER (6-1-0) vs. ROBERT VALENTIN (3-0-0)
That is the TUF 32 middleweight event finale. Valentin reached the finale with wins over Giannis Bachar and Paddy McCorry, and the 29-year-old Swiss is using a five-fight win streak. Loder, a former All-American wrestler at Northern Iowa, submitted Tommy Theocharis earlier than scoring a unanimous win over Omran Chaaban.
Already 33, this can be a important struggle for Loder’s UFC ambitions. He has drawn 72 p.c of the bets and 83 p.c of the cash because the +135 underdog, whereas Valentin’s odds as the favourite have shifted to -165 since opening at -175.
KAAN OFLI (11-2-1) vs. MAIRON SANTOS (12-1-0)
That is the TUF 32 featherweight event finale. Ofli, a 31-year-old from Australia, gained eight consecutive fights earlier than the event and is attempting to joined Robert Whittaker as the one Aussies to win the fact TV competitors.
Santos has held regular because the -185 favourite, whereas Ofli has been barely extra fashionable with the general public, drawing 54 p.c of the bets at +150.
NEIL MAGNY (29-11-0) vs. MICHAEL MORALES (16-0-0)
Magny, 37, beat Mike Malott in January and now faces an undefeated welterweight prospect within the 25-year-old Morales. Morales, a graduate from the Contender Collection, has run his document to 16-0 and is looking for one other bounce up the rankings.
Morales is the largest favourite on the cardboard, drawing 74 p.c of the cash at -900 to beat Magny (+600).
EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN (13-4-0) vs. GERALD MEERSCHAERT (36-17-0)
That is the primary of three middleweight fights on the primary card. Shahbazyan, 26, has dropped 4 of his previous 5 fights, however did knock out AJ Dobson earlier this yr. Meerschaert is a decade aside from his opponent and is coming off a submission win over Bryan Barberena in March.
Shahbazyan is a strong favourite, shifting from -275 to -300 whereas receiving 60 p.c of the cash. Nonetheless, Meerschaert has been supported by 67 p.c of the entire bets at +240.
–Subject Degree Media
