UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier Odds, Predictions and Pre-Weigh-In Hype
The finesse of Israel Adesanya collides with the pure power of Jared Cannonier with the middleweight title on the line in the main event of UFC 276.
The organization comes to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with a card that not only has two belts on the line but has good matchups from top to bottom.
In the co-main event, Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway will do battle with the featherweight crown on the line. The pair have already put on two epic fights. Now Holloway gets a third crack at beating the champion.
Other notable names on the card include Robbie Lawler, Sean O'Malley, Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller.
Here's a look at the entire card with early odds and other latest buzz from the biggest fights.
UFC 276 Fight Card, Schedule and Odds
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)
Israel Adesanya (c) -425 vs. Jared Cannonier +340 - middleweight title fight
Alexander Volkanovski (c) -195 vs. Max Holloway +165 - featherweight title fight
Sean Strickland -110 vs. Alex Pereira -110
Pedro Munhoz +245 vs. Sean O’Malley -295
Robbie Lawler -120 vs. Bryan Barberena +100
Preliminary Card (ABC, ESPN at 8 p.m. ET)
Brad Riddell +130 vs. Jalin Turner -150
Ian Garry -175 vs. Gabe Green +150
Donald Cerrone +170 vs. Jim Miller -200
Brad Tavares +120 vs. Dricus Du Plessis -140
Early Prelims (UFC Fight Pass at 6 p.m. ET)
Andre Muniz -285 vs. Uriah Hall +240
Maycee Barber -260 vs. Jessica Eye +220
Jessica-Rose Clark -175 vs. Julija Stoliarenko +150
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Adesanya Looking Forward to "Showing Off"
UFC 276 is shaping up to be one of the best events of the year. The card has plenty of depth, and Israel Adesanya's presence at the top is an easy selling point.
The Last Stylebender is a unique talent and one that draws plenty of attention. The middleweight champion knows how to sell a fight but also knows how to make it worth it for the fans.
His striking style is fun to watch and pairing it against Cannonier's raw power is bound to be a fun show to watch. Adesanya knows this and is looking forward to giving the fans what they want.
“This is the biggest fight card of the year. We have to show out. That’s what it is. We have to show out, and you know me, when it’s time to show up, I show off," the champ said, per Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
The champion is a sizable favorite, but there's still some danger in the matchup. Cannonier is an explosive athlete and has wins as a heavyweight, light heavyweight and middleweight in his career.
Still, as long as this remains a kickboxing match, Adesanya's precision and quickness should carry him to another win.
Prediction: Adesanya via decision
Volkanovski Ready to Test Holloway's Chin Again
Alexander Volkanovski is 2-0 against Max Holloway, but through 10 rounds, the combined scores of their fights sits at 287-283. In other words, it's roughly six rounds to four.
It's rare that there's a market for a third fight between two fighters when it's been the same result in the last two fights. However, these two have put on awesome fights both times around so the repetition isn't the worst thing in the world.
Thus far, both fights have gone to the judges. The scorers had to earn their paychecks in two close fights.
This time, Volkanovski is hoping to make it less stressful for them.
"If I could take that chin and put him out, that would really be sending a statement because no one has done that. But again, he obviously takes damage, and I’ve touched on the fact that it can’t hold up forever, so let’s see if it holds up this time," Volkanovski said, per Danny Segura and Ken Hathaway of MMA Junkie.
Holloway has famously never been knocked out in his career. Dustin Poirier submitted him all the way back in 2012, but his chin has withstood several firefights.
The champion is going to have a hard time breaking that streak. Holloway has come close to beating him both times, and it's just difficult to beat someone three times in a row.
Prediction: Holloway via decision
Strickland Has "Sparred Better" Than Pereira
The most intriguing non-title fight on the card is the middleweight scrap between Sean Strickland and Alex Pereira.
Not only is it a fun fight of clashing styles, but there's a lot on the line. The winner of the fight has a good chance to get the next crack at the winner of Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier.
Strickland has been climbing the ladder for a while now. The 31-year-old is on a six-fight win streak that goes back to 2018. He's been the recipient of a recent push headlining Fight Night cards in each of his last fights.
Pereira is a dangerous foe, though. He's only been in the UFC for two fights, but his extensive history in kickboxing has fast-tracked him. He holds two wins over the current champion as a kickboxer which makes him an interesting challenger moving forward.
Strickland's boxing against Pereira's kickboxing will be interesting when the fight lands on the feet. If it remains a striking fight, the Brazilian should take the win. However, Strickland's wrestling could be an underrated aspect in the fight.
Prediction: Pereira via decision
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