MMA
UFC 258 odds, prediction, betting trends for Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns
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The next major MMA event takes place on Saturday night, with UFC 258 live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The main event features welterweight champion Kamaru Usman battling No. 2-ranked Gilbert Burns.
As always with a UFC event, there are certainly plenty of bets to be made. Let's take a look at some of them.
UFC 258 odds for Usman vs. Burns
Kamaru Usman: -275
Gilbert Burns: +210
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM has Usman installed as a sizable favorite — as of Thursday, he comes in at -275, meaning you'd need to bet $275 to win $100. Meanwhile, Burns is a +210, meaning if you pluck down $100, you'd win $210.
Usman (17-1) looks to make his third title defense after dominating Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision at UFC 235 to capture the 170-pound belt. Since then, he stopped Colby Covington at UFC 245 and then beat Jorge Masvidal via decision at UFC 251.
Standing in Usman's way of becoming an all-time great welterweight is Burns (19-3). After struggling to make weight at 155 pounds, Burns ventured up to 170 and has plowed through the competition by winning all four fights, including stopping Demian Maia and beating Woodley to earn his first UFC title shot.
On paper, this fight is as even as it gets. These guys are former training partners and have sparred over 200 rounds before the welterweight titlist moved to Colorado last year when they were scheduled to face off. Usman is a two-time Division II national wrestling champion and has vastly improved on the feet, evidenced by how he finished Covington and held his own against Masvidal. Burns is no slouch on the ground, as he's a black belt in Brazilian Ji-Jitsu, and possesses power in both hands.
I feel this fight is going down to the championship rounds. Who is going to want it more? Usman's been in those wars when it's all on the line while Burns has only gone five rounds once. Usman's pressure game will be too much and will wear Burns down to the point of exhaustion and retain the championship.
Usman vs. Burns prediction
Muehlhausen pick: Kamaru Usman
Best odds: Kamaru Usman to win by decision: +135
More Usman vs. Burns odds
Total number or rounds: over/under
Over 1.5: -450
Under 1.5: +340
Will the fight go the distance?
Yes: -140
No: +115
Method of victory
Burns by KO/TKO/DQ or submission: +360
Volkov by decision: +650
Tie/technical tie: +5000
Overeem by KO/TKO/DQ or submission: +200
Overeem by decision: +135
