The next major MMA event takes place on Saturday night, with UFC Fight Night live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The main event features No. 5-ranked Alistair Overeem meeting No. 6-ranked Alexander Volkov in heavyweight action.
As always with a UFC event, there are certainly plenty of bets to be made. Let's take a look at some of them.
UFC Fight Night odds for Overeem vs. Volkov
Alexander Volkov: -185
Alistair Overeem: +155
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM has Volkov installed as a shocking favorite — as of Tuesday, he comes in at -185, meaning you'd need to bet $185 to win $100. Meanwhile, Overeem is a +155, meaning if you pluck down $100, you'd win $155.
Overeem (47-18, one no-contest), a former Strikeforce heavyweight titlist and UFC title challenger, wants to make one more run at the gold before he rides off into the sunset. "The Reem" has won four of his last five bouts, including back-to-back stoppage victories.
Standing in Overeem's way is the former Bellator heavyweight champion. After winning his opening four fights inside the Octagon, Volkov (32-8) has split wins and losses from his last four, going 2-2. But Volkov did get a decisive victory the last time he competed, stopping Walt Harris in the second round at UFC 254.
On paper, Overeem is the more decorated fighter. His resume is more in-depth, and currently on a fantastic run. On the other hand, Volkov started hot in the UFC but has been inconsistent of late. Neither guy has a granite chin, either, based on Volkov losing via knockout to Derrick Lewis and Overeem to heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, Francis Ngannou, and Curtis Blaydes.
Plain and simple, this fight is likely to end via knockout. Out of his last ten wins, Overeem's won eight inside the distance, including his last four contests. On the other hand, Volkov has seven in the same time frame. It's going to come down to who lands the harder shots first.
I feel Overeem is going to be the one to send Volkov falling to the canvas and continuing his journey towards one more shot at the heavyweight title and notch his fifth consecutive stoppage on the feet and extend his winning streak to three.
Overeem vs. Volkov prediction
Muehlhausen pick: Alistair Overeem
Best odds: Alistair Overeem to win by KO/TKO, Submission or DQ: +220
More Overeem vs. Volkov odds
Total number or rounds: over/under
Over 1.5: -200
Under 1.5: +165
Will the fight go the distance?
Yes: +270
No: -350
Method of victory
Volkov by KO/TKO/DQ or submission: +100
Volkov by decision: +450
Tie/technical tie: +5000
Overeem by KO/TKO/DQ or submission: +220
Overeem by decision: +775