The UFC takes a trip to Jacksonville, Florida, this Saturday, and it’s a banger of a main event with aspiring title challenger and undefeated prospect Ilia Topuria taking on a former title challenger in Josh Emmett.
Female standouts Maycee “The Future” Barber and Amanda Ribas will trade blows in the co-main event, both of which look to climb further in the top 10 women’s flyweight rankings.
Let’s waste no more time and dive right into the most noteworthy betting picks for the UFC on ABC 5 main and co-main event.
Top UFC Vegas on ABC 5 Picks
- Josh Emmett ML (+300) at Bet365
- Maycee Barber ML (+170) at Caesars Sportsbook
Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria
UFC Vegas on ABC 5 Featherweight Main Event Bout
Saturday, June 24, 2023 – 04:50 PM EDT at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
It’s rare to witness many successful featherweight contenders beyond the age of 35, but Josh Emmett (18-3-0 pro-MMA) is undoubtedly the exception. He’s returning from a losing interim title opportunity against Yair Rodriguez, but a five-fight win streak prior to that defeat proved his worth against the 145-pound elite.
However, Emmett has no easy task this weekend as he’s matched with the No.5-ranked undefeated prospect Ilia Topuria (13-0-0). Topuria, 26, has displayed a high level of offensive grappling and punching power during his five UFC bouts to date, stopping three opponents via KO/TKO, one via submission, and one decision.
Emmett vs. Topuria: Fight Tape Analysis
The wrestling of Topuria has long been the x-factor of his success to date. There’s no denying the technical striking realm in which he’s evolved, but at the tender age of 26, there’s still a lot to learn.
One could say Emmett is the perfect opponent to snap Topuria’s unbeaten run. With a 13-year wrestling tenure, some of the heaviest hands in the featherweight division, and many years of competing against the elite, overlooking the underdog could be detrimental to our bankrolls.
UFC on ABC 5 Main Event Odds & Prediction
The current UFC odds believe Topuria is the side, and while I somewhat agree, once this price drifted beyond -200, I became interested in the underdog.
Sure, youth, speed, and finishing ability favor Topuria. Still, we’ve watched him get rocked in his previous two fights, and now he’s faced with a legitimate power puncher that owns excellent takedown defense. Furthermore, Emmett has fought a higher level of competition and has proved he can go all five rounds.
UFC Pick: Josh Emmett ML (+300) [1u returns 3u profit] at Bet365
Amanda Ribas vs. Maycee Barber
UFC on ABC 5 Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event Bout
Saturday, June 17, 2023 – 04:25 PM EDT at VyStar Veteran Memorial Arena
At the tender age of 20, Maycee Barber (12-2-0, Pro-MMA) joined the UFC roster with much hype behind her name. She’s been criticized for lack of technicality in her striking offense, but her ground-and-pound violence cannot be disputed, with 7 of her career victories coming by KO/TKO.
Amanda Ribas (10-2-0, Pro-MMA) has evolved into a fan favorite because of her lovable personality and positive attitude, but don’t let this fool you; she’s a menace inside the octagon with a 6-2 UFC record and noteworthy wins over the likes of Viviane Araujo, Virna Jandiroba, and Mackenzie Dern.
Ribas vs. Barber: Fight Tape Analysis
Fight intelligence, experience, and a complete martial arts skillset arguably favors Ribas in this bout, and that’s why she’s the sportsbooks’ favorite. However, as we’ve come to learn in women’s MMA, putting faith in a fighter’s one-dimensional skillset can prove lucrative.
Barber isn’t going to out-strike Ribas, but if we know that, she probably does too. She’ll look to return to what she knows best, and that’s grounding the opposition and keeping top control. She can dominate, rack up points, and prove the doubters wrong from this position.
UFC on ABC 5 Co-Main Event Odds & Prediction
The UFC prices at OddsTrader have placed Ribas with a price tag I cannot respect or bet. It’s an odds play more than anything, but Barber is entirely capable of forcing Ribas to play her game. We witnessed Katlyn Chookagian outsmart Ribas into exhaustion, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Barber accomplish a similar game plan but with a grappling mindset.
UFC Pick: Maycee Barber ML (+170) [1u returns 1.70u profit] at Caesars Sportsbook
