The UFC travels to Asia this Saturday, and we’re gifted with an epic clash of styles in the main event as former 145 lb-champion Max Holloway takes on the kill-or-be-killed style of The Korean Zombie, Chan Sung Jung.
Light heavyweight finishing artists Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann compete in a rematch from 2021 in the co-main, both of whom are vying for rankings supremacy.
Let’s waste no more time and dive into the most noteworthy betting picks for the UFC Singapore main and co-main event.
Top UFC Singapore Picks:
- Max Holloway by Decision (+165) at Bet365
- Ryan Spann ML (-130) at Caesars Sportsbook
Max “Blessed” Holloway vs. “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung
UFC Singapore Featherweight Main Event Bout
Saturday, August 26, 2023 – 10:15 AM EDT at the Singapore Indoor Stadium
The only fighter to overcome the unfathomable striking output, cardio, and dominant streak of Max Holloway (24-7-0 pro-MMA) since 2014 (at 145 lbs) is the current featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
Without a shadow of doubt, Holloway is the second-best competitor in the featherweight division as he’s derailed up-and-coming challengers such as Calvin Kattar, Yair Rodriguez, and most recently, Arnold Allen.
Holloway’s weekend opposition, Chan Sung Jung (17-7-0), better known as “The Korean Zombie,” is a legend in his own right. But aged 36, with no prior championship success and a record of 3-3 in his previous six UFC bouts, can we really expect the fighting pride of Korea to overcome the elite-level skills of “Blessed”?
Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie: Fight Tape Analysis
It’s never easy gauging whether or not the opposition of Chan Sung Jung will handle his menacing power. 57% of his UFC wins (7-4) to date arrived via KO, but 75% of his losses were also by KO/TKO. He’s the epitome of kill-or-be-killed in the octagon. While many fight fans appreciate his professional legacy, his Saturday morning opponent is a daunting challenge for most featherweights.
Holloway has built a career behind durability, conditioning, and precise striking with a high output. He owns the greatest strike-differential in UFC history, has gone the distance in eight consecutive five-round contests, and has never been stopped by a knockout or technical knockout.
It’s no secret that the Zombie’s greatest chance of success at UFC Singapore is to finish Holloway because he isn’t going to match the striking output and cardio, but he’ll face the most robust chin that’s never crumbled in 27 UFC bouts to date, thus making it an incredibly difficult fight for him to succeed.
UFC Singapore Main Event Odds & Prediction
The UFC pricing at the top sportsbooks has made Holloway a -800 betting favorite. It’s hard to disagree with the line, but that doesn’t mean we will wager 8u to win 1u.
Instead, look at Max Holloway to do what he does best and that’s an onslaught of combinations without much power behind the strikes, but a significant enough show to gift him a decision win.
Win or lose, Holloway has reached the judge’s scorecards in five-round bouts for eight consecutive UFC bouts. The Korean Zombie has gone the distance in 2 of his last 3 contests, and we expect another decision dominance by the former champ this weekend.
UFC Pick: Max Holloway by Decision (+165) at Bet365 [1u returns 1.65u profit]
Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann
UFC Singapore Light Heavyweight Co-Main Event Bout
Saturday, August 26, 2023 – 09:50 AM EDT at the Singapore Indoor Stadium
Anthony Smith (36-18-0) is one of the most experienced fighters in the light heavyweight division, but a recent two-fight losing skid has forced the Texas native to return to the drawing board.
However, he’ll be hoping that history can repeat itself this weekend as he’ll face an opponent he previously defeated with a round one rear naked choke.
The last time Smith won a UFC bout was against Ryan Spann (19-6-0) in 2021, but the latter has since won 2 of his last 3 and stopped two combatants with a KO/TKO and a submission.
Smith vs. Spann: Fight Tape Analysis
It will be nearly two years to the day since Smith and Spann faced each other in the octagon, and a lot has changed. Not only is Smith significantly older (35 years old), but Spann is arguably reaching the prime fighting years of his career (31 years old).
Farther time is a concern for professional mixed martial artists worldwide, and Smith’s most recent back-to-back losses have displayed red flags in his chance of contending with the new generation of fighters.
We didn’t get to witness it during their last bout due to a grounded affair, but the power of Spann could be the difference-maker on Saturday. Combined with Smith’s seeming lack of confidence and inspiration of late, -130 on the younger and stronger fighter isn’t a bad price.
UFC Singapore Co-Main Event Odds & Prediction
The current UFC odds have placed Spann as the betting favorite, as it’s even obvious to the sportsbooks that despite winning the first fight, Smith has a lower expectation of raising his hand.
Plus, money would’ve been great, but we’ll settle for the -130 line and bank on the heavy-handed Spann rectifying his RNC defeat against Smith the first time around.
UFC Pick: Ryan Spann ML (-130) at Caesars Sportsbook [1.30u returns 1u profit]
