UFC on ESPN 11: Blaydes vs. Volkov takes place Saturday, June 20 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The offshore sportsbooks recently opened up the betting odds for the full card, and here they are.
UFC on ESPN 11: Blaydes vs. Volkov Odds
Curtis Blaydes -235
Alexander Volkov +200
Shane Burgos -155
Josh Emmett +115
Raquel Pennington -175
Marion Reneau +135
Belal Muhammad -130
Lyman Good -110
Roosevelt Roberts -175
Jim Miller +150
Bobby Green -275
Clay Guida +235
Brianna Van Buren -162
Tecia Torres +142
Oskar Peichota -115
Marc-Andre Barriault -115
Cortney Casey -125
Gillian Robertson -105
Matt Frevola -150
Frank Camacho +130
Roxanne Modafferi -165
Lauren Murphy +125
Austin Hubbard -140
Max Rohskopf +120
Here are my initial thoughts on the UFC on ESPN 11 Opening Odds:
- The main event is an important heavyweight fight between top contenders Blaydes and Volkov. Blaydes has been ultra-impressive in the UFC with an 8-2, 1 NC record inside the Octagon, and he’s coming off perhaps the biggest win of his career, a TKO over former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos. With his elite wrestling game, Blaydes has been able to beat everyone in his path save for Francis Ngannou. As for Volkov, he’s coming off of a decision win over Greg Hardy to bounce back from a last-second loss to Derrick Lewis. Overall Volkov is 5-1 in the UFC. Due to his wrestling advantage, you have to favor Blaydes here, but Volkov is arguably the superior striker, so if he can keep the fight standing he has a chance to win. It will be interesting to see how this fight plays out once the two men step inside the cage.
- In the co-main event, two of the best featherweights in the UFC meet when Burgos takes on Emmett. Burgos has won three straight fights while Emmett has won his last two. Burgos is more of a volume striker while Emmett is a KO artist, so once again this will be an intriguing fight to see how it plays out inside the cage.
- Also on the main card, there’s a very interesting catchweight (160lbs) fight between the hot prospect Roberts and the veteran Miller. Roberts is coming off of a submission nice win over Brok Weaver a few weeks ago while Miller recently lost to Scott Holtzman. With Roberts being the younger fighter you have to favor him here, but Miller is far more experienced and he has pulled off many upsets throughout his career. It could be a dog-or-pass situation.
- Delving deeper into the prelims, a pair of women’s strawweights meet as Van Buren takes on Torres. Van Buren had a brilliant UFC debut last year over Livia Renata Souza, while Torres has struggled badly the last few years, losing four straight fights. Van Buren is on a roll while Torres is on a skid, but you have to keep in mind Torres has far more experience.
- One other fight I’m particularly interested in is Hubbard vs. Rohskopf, who is taking the fight on one week’s notice for Joe Solecki. Although Hubbard opened as a small favorite, Rohskopf has gained the early respect from bettors and the line has flipped with him now the favorite.
