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UFC 270 best bets: Ngannou hard to refuse as underdog

Chris Unger / UFC / Getty

Saturday's UFC 270 features a heavyweight title fight between champion Francis Ngannou and interim champ Ciryl Gane, as well as a trilogy bout pitting flyweight titleholder Brandon Moreno against ex-champ Deiveson Figueiredo.

Before the action gets underway at the Honda Center in Anaheim, here's a look at the two best bets for the event.

Francis Ngannou by knockout (+145) vs. Ciryl Gane

Ngannou at plus money is an offer that cannot be refused.

It's true that Gane is Ngannou's biggest challenge in the heavyweight division. It's also true that Gane has the skill set that could allow him to pick apart Ngannou. But more importantly, Ngannou is arguably the hardest puncher the sport has ever seen. One shot can change everything - and 25 minutes is a long time for anyone to survive against Ngannou in his current form.

"The Predator" looked much improved in his title win over Stipe Miocic last March. He was patient in the striking department, and his takedown defense - which was lacking in his 2018 loss to Miocic - was on point.

If he doesn't get sucked into a low-output, kickboxing match with the more technical Gane, there's a good chance Ngannou will connect with at least one power shot - and that might be all it takes to defend the title.

So, while this is basically a coin-flip fight, Ngannou should never be the underdog against anyone because of his ability to change a fight's trajectory in the blink of an eye. Don't bet big on him, but Ngannou by knockout - because there's no way he beats Gane by submission or decision - is definitely worth a sprinkle.

Said Nurmagomedov by decision (+110) vs. Cody Stamann

Chris Unger / UFC / Getty

Nurmagomedov shouldn't have much issue getting past Stamann in their bantamweight tilt on Saturday's main card.

However, Stamann will prove to be tough enough to go three rounds with the up-and-comer.

Nurmagomedov is a much craftier striker - he uses a variety of approaches, including his elbows, to batter his opponents. Stamann's best path to victory will be scoring takedowns, but expect Nurmagomedov's defense to mostly hold up.

Stamann does mark a significant step up in competition for Nurmagomedov, so even though the latter's last two wins came by finish, this fight will most likely go three rounds. Plus, Stamann has only been finished once in his professional career - against current UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling in 2018.

Nurmagomedov is a sizable favorite to win the fight outright, but you can get him at plus money with the decision prop. That's the wager to make.

Here are the full odds from theScore Bet for UFC 270 on Jan. 22:

Main card

  • Ciryl Gane (-155) vs. Francis Ngannou (+125)
  • Brandon Moreno (-180) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (+150)
  • Michel Pereira (-280) vs. Andre Fialho (+230)
  • Said Nurmagomedov (-200) vs. Cody Stamann (+165)
  • Michael Morales (-125) vs. Trevin Giles (-105)

Preliminary card

  • Raoni Barcelos (-525) vs. Victor Henry (+375)
  • Jack Della Maddalena (-360) vs. Pete Rodriguez (+280)
  • Tony Gravely (-250) vs. Saimon Oliveira (+200)
  • Matt Frevola (-200) vs. Genaro Valdez (+165)

Early preliminary card

  • Vanessa Demopoulos (-140) vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez (+110)
  • Kay Hansen (-230) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (+185)

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