UFC Future Picks
Ready for Future UFC picks and betting odds & predictions? With the current pandemic that has sent the sports world into a frenzy, the UFC postponed/cancelled their next three events. Hopeful to return in mid April, there are a number of fights that will be enticing to bettors.
Amanda Nunes (-390) vs. Felicia Spencer (+310)
Free UFC Picks – Nunes is the greatest female combat athlete of all-time and her next title defense will be against Felicia Spencer. It is booked for the second weekend of May and the UFC is hopeful that it will go on as planned. Nunes has gained all-time great status after her depletion of Cris Cyborg at UFC 232, where she was a massive underdog. Her next title defense plotted herself against Holly Holm, who she knocked out in the first round. That marked history as Nunes has now beaten every lady who held a UFC belt at 135 or 145 pounds. Her most recent win was a decision win against Germaine de Randamie where she implemented a heavy ground game and proved just how good her jiu-jitsu is.
Felicia Spencer enjoyed a juiced stock in her loss against Cris Cyborg at UFC 240. Most fighters don’t get great press after a loss, but Spencer proved how durable she is after suffering some damaging blows, but still going the distance. Her last fight was in February where she won by 1st round TKO. It earned her a title shot against Amanda Nunes. As good as Spencer is, I think she is just another casual for Nunes.
MMA Betting Prediction: Amanda Nunes
Henry Cejudo (-170) vs. Jose Aldo (+145)
Free UFC Picks – Cejudo will look to make his first title defense at 135 pounds on the same card as Nunes/Spencer. He will face UFC legend Jose Aldo. Cejudo’s last fight won him the 135 pound belt after a dominant win over Marlon Moraes. Most people thought he should defend his flyweight belt against Joe Benavidez or defend his 135 pound belt against Aljamain Sterling or Petr Yan. Instead, he wanted to fight someone with more name value such as Dominick Cruz.
Jose Aldo moved down to 135 pounds in his last bout against Marlon Moraes. Before that, he lost against Alexander Volkanovski in his home country of Brazil. Aldo lost to Moraes, but it was a controversial split decision as many had Aldo winning. The UFC now gives title shots to people riding a two fight losing streak instead of those most deserving (satire aside), Cejudo wanted to fight Aldo and the fight was booked.
Many people are making the point that Cejudo is a natural flyweight and Aldo is natural at 145, but I don’t think that matters here. Aldo hasn’t impressed me in either of his last two fights and I think he loses here.
MMA Betting Prediction: Henry Cejudo
Valentina Shevchenko (-800) vs. Joanne Calderwood (+550)
Free UFC Picks – Shevchenko, like Nunes, has been a dominant champion for so long and it does not look like anyone can stop her. Her next title defense will be against Joanne Calderwood in June. Shevchenko won the vacant title in December of 2018 and has won three bouts since then, two of which by stoppage. Her most recent victory was at UFC 247 in February when she ended Katlyn Chookagian in the third round. Many are pegging a trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes a must at this point due to lack of options, but Calderwood will be the next one to get a crack at the champ.
Calderwood won her last fight via split decision and lost the fight before that via unanimous decision. Not a blazing resume for a challenger, but it will have to do. Her kickboxing may present small problems, but nothing Shevchenko is unable to roll through. Take Shevchenko by stoppage as there will be value there.
MMA Betting Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko by TKO/KO or SUB
Robert Whittaker (-120) vs. Darren Till (+100)
Free UFC Picks – Whittaker and Till were booked yesterday to headline UFC Dublin in August. Whittaker will be making his first appearance in the octagon since losing his belt to Israel Adesanya. Till won his last bout against Kelvin Gastelum in his 185 pound debut. Both fighters were rumored to fight before this, but nothing materialized.
My pick here lies with Robert Whittaker. The determination he will have after the incident with his daughter combined with his lateral quickness are enough to beat Darren TIll.
MMA Betting Prediction: Robert Whittaker