Ahead of UFC 282: Jan Blachowicz vs Magomed Ankalaev, we take a look at the odds, and predictions for the main card
One of the most anticipated PPV events of the 2022 calendar is just a few days away. The main event features a light heavyweight clash between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant throne. The stacked card features some edge-of-the-seat fights between some of the most exciting talents in the sport and some of the most established names in the game.
Jan Blachowicz vs Magomed Ankalaev
Blachowicz participated in KSW’s first 95 kg (209 lb) Tournament at KSW 9. By defeating three opponents in a single evening, Blachowicz was able to win the tournament. His first opponent was Martin Zawada, whom he decisively defeated. Blachowicz was able to submit his next two opponents, including the notable Antoni Chmielewski, with an armbar.
After compiling a 17–3 record on the European scene in January 2014, Blachowicz signed a contract to compete in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. On October 4, 2014, Blachowicz made his UFC debut against Ilir Latifi at UFC Fight Night 53. He won by knockout in the first round.
Blachowicz fought Jimi Manuwa at UFC Fight Night 64 on April 11, 2015. He was defeated by unanimous decision in the fight. Blachowicz was scheduled to face Anthony Johnson at UFC 191 on September 5, 2015. However, Johnson was removed from the fight on July 30 in favour of a bout with Jimi Manuwa. Blachowicz subsequently faced Corey Anderson on the same card. He was defeated by unanimous decision in the fight.
On April 10, 2016, Blachowicz fought Igor Pokrajac at UFC Fight Night 86. The fight was decided unanimously in his favor.
On September 27, 2020, at UFC 253, Blachowicz faced Dominick Reyes for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Second round technical knockout victory. This victory earned him the award for Performance of the Night.
On March 6, 2021, at UFC 259, Blachowicz faced current UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya for his first title defense. The unanimous decision victory made him the first person to defeat Adesanya in mixed martial arts.
On September 25, 2021, Blachowicz was expected to defend his title against Glover Teixeira at UFC 266. However, the fight was postponed and moved to UFC 267 on October 30, 2021. Blachowicz lost the fight and the championship due to a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
Magomed Ankalaev made his promotional debut against Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov in March 2018. Ankalaev dominated the fight for the majority of two rounds, winning with clean striking, takedowns, and top control; Ankalaev even severely injured Craig in the first round with a body kick. Craig caught Ankalaev with a triangle choke in the final five seconds of the third round, giving him his first professional loss at exactly 4:59 of the third round.
Ankalaev was scheduled to compete against Marcin Prachnio on September 15, 2018, as part of UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik. After a slow start, Ankalaev countered with a right hook that knocked down Prachnio, who then got up, only to be knocked out by a head kick and a follow-up punch. The knockout gave Ankalaev his first UFC victory and the award for Performance of the Night.
Ankalaev was scheduled to face Darko Stoi at UFC Fight Night 145 on February 23, 2019. However, Stoi withdrew from the match on January 23, citing an injury. Ankalaev instead faced the newly promoted Kliston Abreu. Ankalaev was declared the winner by unanimous decision.
Odds: Magomed Ankalaev is the favorite at -275. Jan Blachowicz is the underdog at +210
Our Prediction: Jan Blachowicz possesses the famed Polish power that can put out opponents at will. He is also the more experienced fighter between the two combatants when it comes to championship experience. Having said that, Blachwoicz hasn’t looked very sharp in his previous few fights. Ankalaev is riding on a nine-fight win steak and clearly has momentum on his side.
With all that in mind, we pick Ankalaev to emerge victorious given his well-rounded style and recent run of good form.
UFC 282 Preliminary Card Odds preview
Edmen Shahbazyan is currently priced at 3/10 (-330) to win against Dalcha Lungiambula, while Lungiambula’s current odds of winning are 5/2 (+250).
Alexander Hernandez’s odds of winning a fight against Billy Quarantillo are currently 7/5 (+140), while Quarantillo’s odds of winning are 11/20 (-180).
In his fight against TJ Brown, Erik Silva has a probability of winning of 5/6 (-120), while TJ Brown’s odds of winning are currently 10/11 (-110).
Chris Daukaus is currently the underdog with odds of 7/5 (+140) to win against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, who has odds of 11/20 (-180) to win the fight against Chris Daukaus. Jairzinho Rozenstruik has odds of 11/20 (-180) to win against Chris Daukaus.
In the fight between Joaquin Buckley and Chris Curtis, the former is currently favoured to win with odds of 4/6 (-150), while the latter has odds of 59/50 (+120) to pull off the minor upset.
Vinicius Salvador is currently favoured to win the match against Daniel Lacerda with odds of 4/9 (-230), whereas Lacerda’s odds of winning are currently 8/5 (+160) if you favour a more surprising outcome.
A fight between Raul Rosas Jr. and Jay Perrin has odds of 2/5 (-250) in favour of Rosas Jr. coming out on top, while Perrin’s odds are currently 39/20 (+200) to win.
In his fight against Ovince St. Preux, Antonio Trocoli has a current odds of 5/6 (-120) of winning, while St. Preux has a current odds of 5/6 (-120) of winning.
In the fight between Cameron Saaiman and Steven Koslow, the former is given odds of 7/20 (-290) to emerge victorious, while the latter’s chances of pulling off an upset are currently listed at 43/20 (+220).
UFC 282 Main Card Odds preview
In the matchup between Dricus Du Plessis and Darren Till, Dricus Du Plessis is currently favoured to win with odds of 4/7 (-180), whereas Darren Till’s odds of winning are currently 7/5 (+140).
Ilia Topuria’s odds of winning are currently at 16/25 (-160), while Bryce Mitchell’s odds of winning are currently at 5/4 (+130).
In a fight between Paddy Pimblett and Jared Gordon, Paddy Pimblett is favoured to win with odds of 2/5 (-250), while Jared Gordon’s odds of winning are currently 19/10 (+190). If you think Gordon will pull off the upset, bet on him.
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