The UFC heads to Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC 282 which is headlined by Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev. Due to an injury to now former champion Jiri Prochazka the pair will fight for Light Heavyweight gold this weekend. In the co-main UK sensation Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett faces his toughest test yet, when he meets Jared Gordon, and Bryce Mitchell goes toe to toe with Ilia Topuria in a fight bound to have fans glued to the edge of their seats. We take a look at my three best bets on this weekend’s card below.
UFC 282 Preview & Betting Picks
Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev
After Jiri Prochazka vacated the title due to injury, many assumed former champion Glover Teixeira would get a title shot against Jan Blachowicz but after Dana White said he turned down the opportunity, up steps surging Russian Magomed Ankalaev. Jan Blachowicz carries the long overstated Polish power, which was on show once again when he bounced back from his title defeat, finishing Aleksander Rakic. However, he meets Ankalaev riding high on a nine-fight winning streak. The Pole has also never been tough to take down as shown when Rakic took him to the mat. I expect Ankalaev to take Blachowicz down, control him and stop him in the championship rounds. We will have another Russian champion come the end of this weekend.
Paddy Pimblett vs Jared Gordon
I am honestly waiting to capitalise on a bad match up for Paddy Pimblett where I can bank good cash but Jared Gordon doesn’t fit that bill. Paddy ‘The Baddy’ relies heavily on athleticism and opportunistic grappling but that will be more than enough to beat Gordon. I expect Paddy to just outwork a scrappy and gritty Gordon on route to a late stoppage. The Englishman’s stock looks set to rise again and expect a ranked opponent next for ‘The Baddy’.
Billy Quarantillo vs. Alexander Hernandez
Billy Quarantillo returns to the Octagon for the first time in thirteen months, having lost two of his last three. His opponent Alexander Hernandez makes his first Featherweight appearance since 2013 here, a move I do not like. Billy Q is notorious for his gas tank and Hernandez in his UFC tenure is known for his fast starts before fading as the fight progresses. This is a perfect recipe here for Quarantillo to get a statement win. He will be in Hernandez’s face from the start and will swamp him late. Back Billy Q to register a win in what will be a fun fight to watch.
