UFC 275 is coming up on Saturday night with a number of exciting matchups to look forward too. There are two belts on the line – including one champ who is listed as a big underdog. Is there value on the board? Let’s take a closer look at the three biggest bouts at UFC 275.
Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka
Odds: Prochazka -205
Glover Teixeira and Jiri Prochazka are the main event of the evening at UFC 275. Teixeira is hoping to defend his light heavyweight title after defeating Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267. He became the oldest first-time champion in the division in history but age (42) is one of the reasons why we see him as an underdog even – though he’s the champ. Teixeira is currently on a six-fight winning streak with finishes in his last three fights. Taking him down won’t be an easy task.
Flipping over to Prochazka, he hasn’t fought in 13 long months. The former Japan superstar has been awaiting the opportunity to make a name for himself in the UFC for a long time, this is exactly the chance he wanted. He’s won 12 straight fights while knocking out each of his first two opponents in the UFC. He’s on a fast rise, which is why he’s favored here.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Taila Santos
Odds: Shevchenko -600
Valentina Shevchenko is lined up to take on Taila Santos as the co-main event. Shevchenko is tied with Ronda Rousey for the most consecutive title defenses by a female in UFC history. Some have even said that her skill set is one of the best that we have ever seen in the sport. It’s safe to say that the title won’t be taken away from her all that easily. Taila Santos is certainly going to take a shot at it, though.
Santos is on a four-fight winning streak after submitting Joanne Wood back in November. With a 19-1 overall record, she has more than earned a shot at the title. However, many point to the fact that she hasn’t exactly fought a lot of elite competition. She might be in over her head here.
Rogerio Bontorin vs. Manel Kape
Odds: Kape -240
Rogerio Bontorin hasn’t been on the winning side of a fight in a good while as he’s coming into this matchup with Manel Kape on a four-fight losing streak. However, the last time he picked up a win came back when Shevchenko was fighting. With Shevchenko fighting during this event, Bontorin will be hoping that’s an omen to get a similar result as last time.
Many people feel Bontorin is one of the top fighters in the world riding this kind of a downturn. He had a win flipped due to a positive drug test and the other three losses were to elite competition. This should be a much more manageable opponent for him, so maybe he’s a live dog here.
Kape is a big favorite as he looks to drop Bontorin down to five straight losses. Kape lost two straight fights when he entered the UFC but has rebounded with back-to-back wins.
This fight has all the makings of an intense, powerful fight between two guys hoping to get a major win.