The UFC Middleweight Championship is on the line this weekend in Las Vegas as champion Israel Adesanya returns to the cage to face #2 ranked contender Jared Cannonier.
Cannonier has managed an impressive stint at middleweight since moving down to the division in 2018 after formerly competing at both heavyweight and light heavyweight in the UFC. He’s now 5-1 in the division with wins against Derek Brunson, Kelvin Gastelum, Jack Hermansson, Anderson Silva, and David Branch. Cannonier’s only loss in the middleweight division was by way of unanimous decision against former champion Robert Whittaker.
Adesanya is seeking his fifth consecutive title defense as the middleweight champion after claiming the title in 2019. Adesanya had cleared the division of all suitable contenders until Cannonier presented himself as a worthy challenger with “Stylebender” recording wins against Whittaker, Marvin Vettori, Paulo Costa, and Yoel Romero.
Israel Adesanya vs Jared Cannonier is the main event of UFC 276 tonight. Order the PPV on ESPN+ to watch Adesanya vs Cannonier and every other fight live.
Read on for our full Adesanya vs Cannonier betting guide and preview, including the latest betting odds, best bets, fight picks, predictions, analysis, and more.
Adesanya vs Cannonier odds
- Israel Adesanya: -480
- Jared Cannonier: +355
Adesanya will enter as a significant betting favorite as money continues to come in to support the champion before UFC 276. The total rounds market is set at over/under 4.5 rounds and both sides are matched evenly.
Adesanya vs Cannonier fight picks
All three of our expert analysts are picking Israel Adesanya to win at UFC 276.
Braeden Arbour believes that “while it’s more likely Cannonier will resort to clinching up for a takedown or shoot, I think that Adesanya’s takedown defense has proven at a higher level than Cannonier’s wrestling.” He expects Adesanya to avoid any takedown attempts and work his way to a victory.
Michael Pounders writes that “Adesanya should simply be too fast, evasive, and intelligent for Cannonier in this matchup.” He envisions a knockout win for Adesanya in the main event.
Joe Pounders praises Adesanya’s skills, stating “Adesanya has the superior technical skills and experience to piece up Cannonier on the outside; and, most importantly, Adesanya has shown time after time he understands how to implement footwork and technique to keep the fight at a range that allows him to have the most success.” Joe is picking Adesanya to win by late knockout.
Read our full Adesanya vs Cannonier staff predictions article here.
Adesanya vs Cannonier best bets
With limited returns on Adesanya in straight moneyline betting considering that he’s a significant favorite in this fight, fight fans may want to look elsewhere for value.
One opportunity presents itself in the form of Adesanya to win by KO, TKO, DQ, or Submission betting with the champion entering the fight at +140 odds to win by stoppage.
With two of our expert staff members predicting a stoppage win for Adesanya this weekend, it’s this selection, in particular, that stands out from the rest.
UFC 276 Betting Odds
Main Card – 10:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm PT only onÂ
- Israel Adesanya (-500) vs. Jared Cannonier (+350)
- Alexander Volkanovski (-210) vs. Max Holloway (+165)
- Sean Strickland (-125) vs. Alex Pereira (-105)
- Robbie Lawler (-125) vs. Bryan Barberena (-105)
- Pedro Munhoz (+220) vs. Sean O’Malley (-300)
Prelims – 8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT on ESPN+, ABC, andÂ
- Brad Riddell (+120) vs. Jalin Turner (-150)
- Ian Garry (-175) vs. Gabriel Green (+145)
- Jim Miller (-175) vs. Donald Cerrone (+145)
- Brad Tavares (+125) vs. Dricus Du Plessis (-155)
Early Prelims– 6:30 pm ET / 3:30 pm PT on ESPN+ andÂ
- Uriah Hall (+250) vs. Andre Muniz (-350)
- Jessica Eye (+220) vs. Maycee Barber (-300)
- Jessica-Rose Clark (-145) vs. Julija Stoliarenko (+115)