UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt betting odds and picks
Source: UFC
After an action-packed Pay-Per-View event last weekend, UFC returns with a Fight Night headlined by No. 3 contender Rob Font and No. 4 Cody Garbrandt. This Bantamweight bout is set to feature a high pace, quick action, and the potential for a statement finish.
Although not star-studded like UFC 262, this card has some really important contender fights on deck. Here are the betting odds and Fightlete staff picks for UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt!
All odds are via Fanduel Sportsbook.
NOTE: All picks and predictions are for entertainment purposes only. Fightlete does not facilitate gambling activities. Please gamble responsibly if you so choose.
Results from the last event:
Kirien, 4-1, +2.14 units
Drew: 3-2, +0.29 units
Mike: 3-2, +0.27 units
Abraham: 3-2, +0.32 units
Sean: 3-2, -0.14 units
Results for 2021:
Mike: 39-31, -5.88 units
Drew: 38-38, -5.68 units
Abraham: 12-12, -4.30 units
Sean: 33-38, -14.80 units
Kirien: 36-38, -15.80 units
Rob Font (-118) vs. Cody Garbrandt (-104)
O/U 2.5 rounds (-112/-112)
Kirien’s Pick: Font
I think this fight is a coin flip. Both fighters are equally talented and are at similar parts to their careers. I like Font simply because I think he will be the more aggressive fighter, which will be enough to earn him a victory.
Drew’s Pick: Under
This is an awesome fight because I really believe that it could go either way. Font has been dominating for the past couple of years, and Garbrandt is at a point where his career could be taking a turn for the better. I am predicting a frantic pace as both will be hunting for a knockout. I am taking the under.
Mike’s Pick: Garbrandt
I think this will be a great fight but I see it going to Garbrandt. Rob Font has looked incredible lately but this is a really big step up in competition. Garbrandt is insanely fast and powerful and since he started working with coach Mark Henry, he has looked that much better.
Abraham’s Pick: Under
In this fight, it's almost impossible to choose a winner. Cody Garbrandt has one of the most powerful right hands in the history of not just the UFC’s bantamweight division but the entire existence of all bantamweights. But, his chin has been questioned before and against a striker such as Rob Font, it’s hard to see this fight going the distance or even three rounds for that matter. Either one can finish this fight at any given moment so expect a quick finish from the one-punch knockout artist in “No Love”, or the slick combination striker from Boston.
Sean’s Pick: When Cody Garbrandt steps into the Octagon many fans know it will be nothing short of a thriller. We’ve seen Rob Font climb up the ranks at 135lbs now being featured in his first Main Event. Garbrandt’s striking can erupt in a major KO win when he’s on point or being finished when he’s not. However, he can’t look past Font who has looked great racking up a KO win over Moraes in his last outing and making a statement that he’s arrived. I feel once Cody got the taste of winning again it has propelled him to make every outing a Championship like one and this one will be no exception. “No Love” Garbrandt by KO.
Carla Esparza (+102) vs. Yan Xiaonan (-124)
O/U 2.5 rounds (-350/+250)
Kirien’s Pick: Over
I respect both of these fighters, but I think both of them are content with this going the distance. The over may come into jeopardy when Xiaonan tries to grapple with Esparza, who is an astute wrestler, but I still believe both fighters end the fight on their feet.
Drew’s Pick: Xiaonan
This is going to be a banger. Xiaonan has not lost an MMA bout since 2010 and is on a blistering hot run. Although Esparza has faced some better names, this one will be close. I would take the over, but those odds aren’t worth my time. I’ll take Xiaonan in a close decision.
Abraham’s Pick: Yan Xiaonan
Carla Esparza tends to be an underdog a lot but she also tends to beat the odds. Well, not this time. Yan Xiaonan has been on a roll coming off two wins against former title contenders. However, a big problem she has is her wrestling defense but if she uses her striking power quickly and early she can stun Esparza before she has the chance to lock in for a good takedown opportunity. Xiaonan’s striking should be the difference.
Mike’s Pick: Xiaonan
Carla Esparza has been a staple of this division’s elite for a long time, but I think it’s Yan Xiaonan’a time now. Xiaonan has looked amazing recently, winning 11 fights straight, including being 6-0 in the UFC against some very stiff competition. Esparza is a tough night for anyone in the division, but I got Xiaonan in this one.
Sean’s Pick: Over
Carla has quietly risen in the rankings of 125 women’s division, with her last two fights being won by split decision. Xioaonan has defeated many staples of this division, including Claudia Gadelha, and I have a feeling she’s going to be tough for Carla to finish on the ground. Carla, who’s never been finished by submission, has been to decision in 7 of her last 8 and has experience in staying in long enough to go the distance. Xiaonan will keep it standing if possible is why I don’t see it ending by stoppage.
Felicia Spencer (-162) vs. Norma Dumont Viana (+132)
O/U 2.5 rounds (-200/+154)
Kirien’s Pick: Spencer
I like Spencer’s experience in this one. Viana has shown flashes in her six career pro fights, but her competition takes a step up with Spencer, an eight-year veteran, up next.
Drew’s Pick: Spencer
Even at these odds, -162 is a great value for Spencer. She has only lost twice in her career and they came from Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes, two of the baddest women on the planet. This will probably go to decision, but I think Spencer will have a significant experience and talent edge.
Abraham’s Pick: Felicia Spencer
Norma Dumont has been back and forth between the bantamweight division and the featherweight division. In her last appearance as a featherweight, she lost to now free agent Megan Anderson in the first round. While Felicia Spencer has been swimming with the sharks of the Featherweight division. She didn’t beat Cyborg or Nunes but she proved she’s as durable as they come. She’s a much better overall fighter than Dumont who has yet to fight elite competition.
Mike’s Pick: Over
I see this one being a tough competitive scrap between two of the better women’s Featherweights in the world. I could see either one getting their hand raised, but with neither of them being prolific finishers and both having demonstrated good durability in the past, I see this one likely going the distance.
Sean’s Pick: Spencer
Felicia is the former 145 lb Invicta FC Women’s Champion. She’s faced the best UFC has offered in Nunes and Cyborg losing to them but still wasn't finished. Dumont defeated Ashlee Evans-Smith in her first UFC victory and although she’s game we know her plan isn’t to stay at 145lbs. Spencer, a more natural 145lber has an array of wild strikes in her arsenal as well, her grappling skills are impressive while Dumonts’ is average. After this layoff, I’ll look for her to make a statement winning this one by submission if you’re looking for a prop bet.
David Dvorak (-162) vs. Rualian Paiva (+132)
O/U 2.5 rounds (-200/+154)
Kirien’s Pick: Dvorak
Pavia has the youth, height, and reach advantage over Dvorak, but he has also lost two of his last five fights. I think Paiva has the skills to succeed, but he still needs a little work to refine his skills. I think this is an ultra-competitive fight, with Dvorak doing just enough to earn the victory.
Drew’s Pick: Under
Flyweights are known for their incredible face and super-fast attacks. This is why I am taking the under. Both fighters have gone to a few decisions, especially lately, but they can get a first or second round finish. I am looking for a quick pace and a quick finish, especially at this value.
Abraham’s pick: David Dvorak
David Dvorak has looked very impressive in his short UFC run. He has yet to gain a finish in the UFC but don’t let that fool you, he is a finisher having finished 15 of his 19 wins. While Paiva is very durable, he has also proven to be inconsistent and hittable in his UFC run. Dvorak will go in with all the confidence in the world. He will be hitting on all cylinders on his way to a third UFC win.
Mike’s Pick: Dvorak
To say David Dvorak is on fire right now would be an understatement. He may only be 2-0 in the UFC, but he has faced pretty tough competition for someone with only 2 fights in the company. In addition to that, Dvorak is riding a wild 15 fight winning streak which is impressive no matter where the fights take place. Paiva has looked great and is a very solid young prospect, but I lean Dvorak all day here.
Sean’s Pick: Under
I feel both these fighters have the potential to make a great fight, Dvorak has wins over Jordan Espinosa and Bruno Silva who were established at 125lbs. Paiva has shown his power with a KO win in the UFC, I see this picking up in the 2nd Round and both exchanging with rapid speed until one of them bites the dust.
Jack Hermansson (-150) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (+122)
Kirien’s Pick: Shahbazyan
Shahbazyan may have been knocked out by Derek Brunson in his last matchup, but in my opinion, he was winning the fight before a mental mistake left him susceptible to the knockout. This is my only underdog on the guard, but I feel like Shahbazyan knows where he slipped up vs. Brunson and is ready to remedy his mistake against Hermansson.
Drew’s Pick: Hermansson
Both of these guys are coming off of a loss, so the redemption path is there for each of them. I also think that the lines should be tighter because this is very close to a toss-up in my eyes. I will go with Hermansson because he has faced some better talent and has been slightly more active.
Abraham’s Pick: Jack Hermansson
Edmen Shahbazyan showed a major weakness with his grappling against Derek Brunson in his last fight. I’m sure he’s worked on his wrestling defense but I would say Hermansson is a better overall grappler than Brunson. We saw him submit Gastelum, who is no slouch on the ground, in mere minutes. Expect Hermansson to put the pressure on and get the fight to the ground quickly where he will dominate the younger inexperienced grappler.
Mike’s Pick: Hermansson
I think this booking was a little bit ambitious for Edmen. After looking quite impressive in his first few UFC fights, he had a big step up in competition against Derek Brunson in August where he gassed out and got finished early in the third round. Jack Hermansson is without question an elite Middleweight with serious title aspirations, and I haven’t seen any evidence to suggest he won’t be able to do to Edmen what Derek Brunson did.
Sean’s Pick: Hermansson
Shahbazyan shines the most is in the first round, especially after he collected three out of his last four UFC victories by the finish. Hermansson however won’t go down easily; with his resume, “The Joker” has shown that he not only finishes fights but can hold his own against credible opponents like a former contender in Gastelum. If Hermansson will be able to outwrestle Shahbazyan in the first round, He’ll take advantage of his fatigued opponent with a submission in the late 2nd Round!