Who doesn’t love betting on a good title MMA fight? But what happens when you get to bet on TWO title fights? You get UFC 255 – on November 21 at the UFC Apex in Vegas. We’re in for an exciting card with all eyes on the flyweight division. The flyweight bouts are the major storyline at UFC 255, and currently there are four fights scheduled in the division, including two championship fights. UFC bettors will get the chance to bet on both Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Alex Perez for the men’s flyweight championship and a highly anticipated co-Main Event showdown between Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jennifer Maia for the women’s championship.
If you’re trying to figure out the best odds and get some insights on how to bet on UFC 255, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll be giving you a breakdown with everything you need to know to bet on the UFC action. As always, Bovada Sportsbook has got your back, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve got a good hunch and want to make your picks now or you want to wait for the bout to unfold to make your bet.
UFC 255 Main Event Odds: Deiveson Figueiredo (-280) vs. Alex Perez (+220), Flyweight
Initially, Cody Garbrandt was gunning for Figueiredo’s flyweight title, taking a respite from the bantamweight to challenge the Brazillian champion. Unfortunately, Garbrandt got sidelined by a torn bicep and lost his chance. Enter underdog Alex Perez, who scored this last-minute opportunity to fight at the headline bout. Let’s see if his good luck will carry into his bout against the Brazillian and move the odds in his favor.
When it comes to placing a bet on an MMA underdog, it’s always reassuring to know your bet has staying power. Just look at Perez’s record: half of his 24 pro wins have been by decision. It’s all about endurance with this contender. A pro tip when placing your bets: don’t forget Perez coming off a three-fight winning streak, and has only lost once in the octagon – a TKO dealt by Joseph Benavidez back in November 2018.
On to the betting favorite. Figueiredo’s reputation really does precede him: There’s a reason why Dana White referred to him as “pure violence.” He had his own hurdles to overcome on the road to the title, the biggest being his rematch against Benavidez in July. At the initial bout, Figueiredo only won by TKO in the second round before the rematch was called. The Brazillian brought all his infamous ferocity to the octagon, scoring a win by submission before the first round of the rematch was even up. If Perez takes him down, it’s going to be one big upset.
UFC 255 Co-Main Event Odds: Valentina Shevchenko (-1400) vs. Jennifer Maia (+750), Flyweight
Co-headlining UFC 255 is the highly-awaited flyweight title matchup between Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko and former Invicta FC titleholder Jennifer Maia. This is big, mainly because coming for Valentina’s legacy is no easy feat, which makes her the preferred bet. The Bullet has defended her throne and reign within the women’s division, with three spectacular title defences already under her belt. Those looking to bet on the favorite might want to know she’s coming back to the octagon from a leg injury, not that she’s going to let that get in the way. She’s a force to be reckoned with and will be bringing plenty of fire and fury as a grappling and kickboxing prodigy. It’s impossible to forget the devastating blow she dealt Jessica Eye only 26 seconds into the second round – a head-kick KO.
Let the record show that Jennifer Maia is more than up to the challenge, as intimidating as it might seem. Here’s a bet with the potential of a decent payout if Maia makes history. Shevchenko needs to be careful not to underestimate the 31-year-old finisher. Maia is 3-2 in the octagon, but her recent triumph over Joanne Calderwood paved the way for her No.1 contender spot in the title fight. Maia is known to be a brawler, with plenty of staying power and has successfully dispatched her share of UFC titleholders. If there’s anyone with the guts and skill to upset Shevchenko’s odds for the UFC 255 title, it’s the battle-ready Brazillian who is about to face a truly career-making challenge.
UFC 255 Odds: Brandon Moreno (TBD) vs. Brandon Royval (TBD), Flyweight
The battle of the Brandons is on! Moreno has been more than vocal about being snubbed for the Main Title flyweight bout, frustrated at having to go up against Royval, who he clearly considers his inferior despite acknowledging him as a worthy opponent. Again, it’s never smart to overlook your competition. That being said, The Assassin Baby’s bravado is understandable. Moreono is coming off consecutive unanimous wins over Kai Kara-France and Justin Formiga; throw in his frustration at being denied the coveted Main Title spot into the mix and you’ve got yourself a fighter with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. It’s a lethal combo.
The stakes are high for Royval, and he knows it. He’s out to challenge the odds and knows that if he wins against Moreno, it’s going to catapult him towards his chance at earning the flyweight title. He might be a new face, but those betting on UFC 255 should know that his rise has been meteoric. He already scored bonuses in finishes over Tim Elliott and Kai Kara-France, and is now hungry to prove himself.
UFC 255 Odds: Joaquin Buckley (TBD) vs. Jordan Wright (TBD), Middleweight
There’s a few reasons why this matchup for the middleweight title has got tongues wagging, especially in the betting world. For starters, Buckley’s record is downright fascinating, and who doesn’t love a good redemption story? Buckley made headlines and quickly became a viral sensation when he dealt Impa Kasanganay a KO jump spinning back kick. In the two months since, he went back to working the night shift at Walgreens and is now looking to show the UFC world that he’s not just a one-hit wonder, which makes him a very exciting bet to say the least.
The undefeated Jordan Wright is himself a force of nature and still riding out the thrill of his unbelievable victory in August, which cost Villaneuva a brutal wound to the face. It’s not an easy fight to call, but it makes for amazing viewing and even better bets.
UFC 255 Odds: Mauricio Rua (TBD) vs. Paul Craig (TBD), Light Heavyweight
UFC 255 added yet another feather in its cap with the high-profile and hyped light heavyweight bout between Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Paul Craig. It’s going to be the first time the two fighters meet in the ring since their stalemate back in November 2019, so get ready fot fire up those bets. Rua dominated on the mat, Craig dominated the legendary Shogun on the feet. They’ve both been keeping busy since, each traveling to compete in Abu Dhabi back in July 2020. Craig handily defeated Gadhzimurad Antigulov by first round submission before The Shogun dispatched Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by split decision.
Rua’s the betting favorite based on his resume alone. The man famously only has one loss in his last seven fights while Craig has only one loss in five fights. He’s a fun bet because of his showmanship. Craig has brought some truly entertaining performances to the UFC since he joined in 2016, and everyone’s at the edge of their seats about how he’s going to outsmart Rua and take the title.
