UFC 226 Betting Preview 

On Saturday, UFC 226 gets underway at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, with the main event featuring heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier for the heavyweight title. The card also features featherweight champion Max Holloway squaring off against lead contender Brian Ortega, as well as several other intriguing bouts, both for fans of MMA and for sports betting enthusiasts. Take a look at some of our thoughts about several of the most interesting tilts to come on Saturday night.

UFC 226 Betting Preview 

Main Card (10pm ET, PPV)

• Stipe Miocic (-255) vs Daniel Cormier (+210)
• Max Holloway (-146) vs Brian Ortega (+122)
• Derrick Lewis (+290) vs Francis Ngannou (-365)
• Michael Chiesa (-160) vs Anthony Pettis (+130)
• Gokhan Saki (-147) vs Khalil Rountree (+126)

Preliminary Card (8:00pm ET, FS1)

• Uriah Hall (+355) vs Paulo Henrique Costa (-465)
• Paul Felder (-145) vs Mike Perry (+130)
• Raphael Assuncao (-180) vs Rob Font (+145)
• Max Griffin (+140) vs Curtis MIllender (-170)

Preliminary Card (6:30pm ET, Fight Pass)

• Daniel Hooker (-135) vs Gilbert Burns (+115)
• Drakkar Klose (+140) vs Lando Vannata (-170)
• Jamie Moyle (-200) vs Emily Whitmire (+170)

In Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier, we see a perennial runner-up in Daniel Cormier trying finally to turn the corner and take top billing in his sport. MMA always saw him settle for second best against Jon Jones, and Cael Anderson was always able to top him in wrestling. Now he’s trying to get a different outcome against Stipe Miocic, who many consider UFC’s greatest heavyweight of all time. He has mounted three successful title defenses since he took the belt from Fabricio Werdum in 2016, taking down Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos and Francis Ngannou. He combines efficient boxing, considerable athleticism and a competent wrestling base. Cormier brings a unique challenge to Miocic thanks to his background in wrestling. There aren’t many MMA fighters who can bring what Cormier brings in wrestling, which is how he’s been able to establish himself as a contender. Cormier is looking to hold two UFC belts at the same time and would be just the second UFC fighter ever to do so. Whoever wins this bout could be looking at a bout with Brock Lesnar. Miocic is the favorite, but I’d give Cormier a long look because of that moneyline and because of his wrestling background. UFC 226 Betting Prediction: Cormier wins via decision Max Holloway vs Brian Ortega gives us a true contender in Ortega, which is an unusual thing in UFC at this point in time. He enters with a 14-0 (1) record and has finished every fight he has started in the promotion. His last win featured a vivid knockout of the former UFC champ Frankie Edgar. The fact that he keeps taking apart veterans who have been around the sport forever makes me wonder who will stop him. Holloway is a classic champion in the sense that he will meet all comers. He has won twelve bouts in a row and is working on defeating all of the featherweight fighters in UFC, and he has more skill than anyone in his division right now. Can skill overcome raw power, or will Ortega have his day? I like Holloway’s skill, but I’m going with Ortega’s intensity and striking power. UFC 226 Betting Prediction: Ortega wins via knockout Francis Ngannou vs Derrick Lewis should feature a striking war as two heavyweights look to go toe to toe and beat each other into submission. Lewis is a longstanding contender in the heavyweight top 10, while Ngannou has risen swiftly in UFC, gaining a reputation as one of the most athletic fighters in the division. Ngannou has more fighting skill, but Lewis is right there with him as far as striking power and physical presence. UFC 226 Betting Prediction: Ngannou wins via knockout