The UFC is heading Down Under for UFC 305, and Bovada’s going along for the ride.
UFC 305: Du Plessis vs Adesanya, live from Perth, Australia, rings the bell on Saturday, August 17th at 10 pm Eastern.
Israel Adesanya, one of the most popular fighters in the UFC, is looking to regain his middleweight belt against Dricus Du Plessis, and the rest of the Main Card is full of fierce matchups too.
Check out this preview of the top fights for UFC 305.
View the latest UFC odds at Bovada
Du Plessis (+107) vs Adesanya (-128)
With a 9-0 win streak heading into the fight, Dricus Du Plessis represents a formidable challenge for the challenger Adesanya.
The current Middleweight champ Du Plessis is a very balanced fighter. He brings knockout power to the Octagon as well as submission stamina. Of his 21 wins, 9 have come by KO/TKO and 10 by submission.
His most recent fight was in January, so bettors might be concerned with a little ring rust. But in that bout, he won a decision over Sean Strickland, who himself had beaten Adesanya just four months earlier.
On the other side of the ring, everyone knows the Last Stylebender. Israel Adesanya is one of the most unique and popular fighters in UFC history. Sixteen of his 24 wins have come by knockout, and he’s a threat from anywhere in the Octagon at any time.
However, ring rust might be an even bigger issue for Adesanya at the UFC 305 main event. He’s coming off an 11-month layoff since that loss to Strickland. Will he be fresher, or will the time off hurt him?
The UFC odds at Bovada for this main event also include the Over/Under for the number of expected rounds. At 4.5 rounds, the current Over is at -115 and the Under is -115. This might mean that UFC oddsmakers and fans are expecting the fight to be a war that goes the distance.
Kara-France (+170) vs Erceg (-200)
Currently #4 in the Flyweight division of the UFC, Kai Kara-France faces tougher odds against the rising challenger Erceg.
Kara-France has 11 knockouts and 12 first-round finishes in his extensive career, one that does include 11 losses to go along with 24 wins however. He’s also lost his last two fights over the past two years. This could explain his lower UFC odds heading into the fight, even though he’s still ranked higher than his opponent.
Speaking of that opponent, hometown Perth fighter Steve Erceg will have the crowd in his corner at UFC 305.
Erceg lost his last fight, but he took the current Flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja to the limit before losing a decision. Before that bout in May of this year, Erceg won his previous 3 fights in 10 months, so UFC odds watchers might like his fight readiness over Kara-France.
This fight is being billed as a co-main event for UFC 305, with Dana White & Co. expecting a big performance from Kara-France and Erceg.
Gamrot (-350) vs Hooker (+275)
In a Lightweight battle, Poland’s Mateusz Gamrot (#5 in the division) takes on New Zealand’s Dan Hooker (#11).
Gamrot is the heavy favorite at -350 currently. He boasts a stellar record of 24-2, with a background in the ground game that matches almost any fighter. His fights are all over the place regarding finishes, though, from decisions to KOs. As a result, it’s tough to get a read on his UFC odds when it comes to predicting the Over/Under in rounds.
Gamrot won his last fight in March, a unanimous decision over the aging legend Rafael dos Anjos.
Dan Hooker brings a totally different style to the fight, as a former champion kickboxer. At +275 currently for this fight, he’ll need to surprise Gamrot and fight fans alike. He’ll prefer to stay upright and use his skills as a striker since Gamrot has the decided edge in grappling and wrestling.
Hooker can get into legendary battles too, as he did with Dustin Poirier in a Fight of the Night several years ago – which many considered to be the fight of the year. He’s also fought as a heavyweight, so he may have a size advantage over Gamrot come fight time.
After briefly considering retirement in 2021, Hooker may see this fight as one of his last chances to climb in the division and potentially face big-time opponents for big-time paydays.
In any event, for MMA fans that like a style contrast, Gamrot vs Hooker at UFC 305 should be a treat.
Tuivasa (+178) vs Rozenstruik (-215)
Fight fans love a Heavyweight clash, and this fight brings two of the Southern Hemisphere’s baddest big boys to the Octagon.
Tai Tuivasa, ranked #10 in the Heavyweight division in the IFC, will have the home country crowd in his corner. “Bam Bam” brings a modest 15-7 record to the fight, which might account for his underdog status with UFC odds of +178.
Tuivasa is also hoping to halt his current 3-fight losing streak. He last won back in February 2022.
In a remarkable 13 of his 14 wins, Suriname’s Jairzinho Rozenstruik (#12 in the Heavyweight division) has won by knockout. He’s a middling 2-2 in his last four fights though, so he can be beat. His -215 odds make him the favorite over the higher-ranked Tuivasa – clearly oddsmakers like Rozenstruik’s striking power too.
It’s Rozenstruik’s striking that makes him a lethal threat. He holds the second-fastest KO record in the history of the UFC’s Heavyweight division, with a knockout in just nine seconds of the first round against Allen Crowder at UFC Fight Night 154.
Clearly oddsmakers are expecting a street fight here too, with the rounds for Tuivasa vs Rozenstruik set at just 1.5 O/U, and the Under currently sitting at -200.
Keep checking the UFC 305 fight odds at Bovada as new ways to play are being added regularly and the lines continue to move too.
With Israel Adesanya in the main event, UFC 305 features one of the most electric headliners in UFC. The rest of the main card should produce even more fireworks, and Bovada is right there at ringside to bring you all the action you need.
UFC 305 promises to be an electrifying event with high-stakes matchups and intense action. As Israel Adesanya aims to reclaim his middleweight title, and other top fighters face off, the excitement is palpable. Don’t miss out on the thrilling bouts coming your way from Perth. Be sure to catch all the action live on August 17th and stay updated with Bovada for the latest odds and insights.
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