After a UFC 282 packed with controversy, the promotion returns to its home at the APEX on Saturday night with one of the most evenly matched main events in recent memory. In the 185 lb. division, two top-seven ranked fighters coming off losses face off to get back in title contention. SI Sportsbook has this bout listed as a pick ’em, with both fighters at -110 odds. With two dangerous strikers battling in the smaller Octagon at the APEX, fight fans can expect to see some fireworks.
‘UFC Fight Night 216: Cannonier vs. Strickland’
Location: UFC Apex | Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 | 4 p.m. ET
Bet on UFC Fight Night at SI Sportsbook.
Preliminary card (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)
- Sergey Morozov (-300) vs. Journey Newson (+240)
- Bryan Batte (+125) vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (-150)
- Rafa Garcia (-135) vs. Maheshate (+110)
- Said Nurmagomedov (-110)vs. Saidyokub Kakhramonov (-110)
- Jake Matthews (-300) vs. Matthew Semelsberger (+240)
- Cheyanne Vlismas (-200) vs. Cory McKenna (+165)
Main card (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)
- Cody Brundage (+225) vs. Michael Oleksiejczuk (-275)
- Drew Dober (-150) vs. Bobby Green (+125)
- Alex Caceres (+145) vs. Julian Erosa (-175)
- Amir Albazi (-450) vs. Alessandro Costa (+350)
- Arman Tsarukyan (-200) vs. Damir Ismagulov (+165)
- Jared Cannonier (-110) vs. Sean Strickland (-110)
SI Producer Doug Vazquez
I have been anticipating this Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland main event on Saturday night since it was announced. Two high-level strikers are going at it, both attempting to bounce back after losing their last fights. The oddsmakers have this as dead even and while my gut is telling Strickland finds a KO finish, I am not confident enough to lay out a wager on that outcome. With a confined octagon and the style of these two fighters swinging with reckless abandon, I don’t see a scenario where this makes it to the judges.
BET: Fight WILL NOT go the distance (-111)
SI Video Julian Pinto
I am paying close attention to the Said Nurmagomedov–Saidyokub Kakhramonov match. Nurmagomedov enters this match with a number next to his name for the first time in his UFC career (ranked 15th), and he will likely build upon that. Nurmagomedov will be too much for Kakhramonov. If you let Nurmagomedov get into a groove, he is going to pick you apart, and if he really gets into a groove, he is going to be able to read his opponent and split his timing. Kakhramonov has good grappling. But so does Nurmagomedov, and Kakhramonov’s defense against the cage is very good, and his ability to attack from defensive positions (see his submission victory over Cody Stamann) makes grappling with Nurmagomedov a dangerous affair. Nurmagomedov will get the unanimous decision.
BET: Nurmagomedov via DEC (+225)
This story first published at SI.com/MMA.
