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Supasundae (Each Way) @ 12/1 Paddy Power 12/1 Paddy PowerHeavyweight king Stipe Miocic collides with Daniel Cormier in UFC 226 super-fight
Heavyweight kingpin Stipe Miocic (18-2) will defend his crown against reigning light-heavyweight title holder Daniel Cormier (20-1) in a highly-awaited UFC 226 main event this weekend in Las Vegas.
At the T-Mobile Arena the most dominant heavyweight champion in UFC history will look to secure the fourth straight successful defence of his strap in a true super-fight.
The 35-year-old titlist knocked out Fabricio Werdum in May last year to become champion, before stopping both Alistair Overeem and then Junior dos Santos in his maiden defences.
Miocic then wrote himself into the history books when outpointing dangerous challenger Francis Ngannou in January, as he subsequently broke the record for most title defences in the division’s history.
Next up is a mouth-watering clash with the organisation’s light-heavyweight champion and former Strikeforce heavyweight king Cormier, who returns to the weight for the first time since 2013. Notably, he also boasts an unbeaten 13-0 record at heavyweight.
Ohio native Miocic is the clear favourite to prevail and maintain his supreme heavyweight reign and he can be backed at 17/10 with Betfair to KO Cormier here.
Holding a size and reach advantage in this encounter, all signs point to another Miocic victory and just one shot could ultimately end Cormier’s gallant pursuit of greatness.
‘DC’ is an elite grappler, though, holding an Olympic wrestling background, and he will no doubt be seeking that route to success in Nevada this weekend. The Louisiana fighter will therefore enter the octagon at 2/1 with Coral to cause a massive upset.
Although, Miocic seemingly holds all the keys to victory and should be able to use his size and strength to keep the wrestling abilities of Cormier at bay throughout this heavyweight super-fight.
The reigning champion is therefore a promising 15/8 with Betfair to rally to another successful title defence via decision over five rounds in the UFC 226 main event.
Max Holloway makes latest defence of featherweight strap against Brian Ortega
*Max Holloway has been forced to withdraw since the time of writing
In the co-main event in Las Vegas there’s another huge title clash as UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway (19-3) contests latest challenger Brian Ortega (14-0).
Since being outpointed by Conor McGregor back in August 2013, the 145lbs title holder has enjoyed an impressive 12-fight winning streak in the organisation.
The Hawaiian star got his hands on the undisputed featherweight belt last year when he knocked out division legend Jose Aldo in three rounds, before defending it with another third-round stoppage over the Brazilian.
Holloway next faces a fellow rising star of the UFC in Ortega and the Mexican-American is a highly dangerous 6/5 with Ladbrokes to prevail this weekend.
The defending champion will enter the cage at 15/8 with bet365 for a decision success to retain his strap, though he faces perhaps his toughest test to date.
‘T-City’ has been busy climbing the ranks and his first-round demolition of Frankie Edgar was a huge statement in March, while Holloway recently had weight issues during the botched last-minute step in to tackle lightweight monster Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Ortega will pose a genuine threat to Holloway’s title reign after gaining encouraging momentum and there could ultimately be a shock switching of the featherweight guard this weekend.
