UFC 264 should be an exciting card, as the co-main event of the evening is for a highly anticipated Welterweight bout. Gilbert Burns takes on Stephen Thompson to prove who the top contender is in the division. We'll see how it goes, as the winner could be given a title shot against Kamaru Usman. It's time to continue our UFC odds series with a Gilbert Burns-Stephen Thompson prediction and pick.
Burns is one of the most electric fighters in the UFC right now. He has gone 4-1 in his last five bouts, suffering a loss in his last fight against Kamaru Usman. He hopes to get back on track and set himself up with a rematch with the champion. However, he'll have to get by Thompson first.
Thompson is a true veteran of the sport but remains as one of the best fighters in his division. In his last five fights, Wonderboy has gone 3-2, winning by unanimous decision in each of his victories. A win on Saturday night could propel him up the UFC Welterweight rankings, keeping him amongst the best in the world at 38 years old.
Here's how the sportsbooks have set the odds for the co-main event.
UFC 264 odds: Gilbert Burns-Stephen Thompson odds
Gilbert Burns (+145)
Stephen Thompson (-170)
Over 2.5 rounds (-150)
Under 2.5 rounds (+120)
How Gilbert Burns wins the fight
Durinho typically likes to keep the fight standing, but he's much more well-rounded than people realize. He has eight submission victories under his belt, making him extremely dangerous on the ground. We could see him utilize the ground game on Saturday night, as he has an edge in that area of the cage.
Look for Burns to be patient in this matchup. His best bet will be to take his time and work inside of Thompson's reach. Getting in the clinch and tiring his opponent with shots to the body will wear down Stephen Thompson throughout the bout. Once it gets into the latter portion of the fight, Burns should consider taking it to the mat and securing a submission win.
How Stephen Thompson wins the fight
Wonderboy is known as a prolific kickboxer, so it should come to no surprise that he should keep this fight standing. We've seen Thompson go to war before, so going the distance is no problem for him. Thompson tends to use creative strikes in the cage, which could give him an advantage early on in the fight.
His best bet is to keep his distance and use his height advantage. Burns tends to move forward, leaving his front leg exposed for kicks. A smart strategy for Thompson would be to utilize the jab and leg kicks to keep his opponent at bay, then hit him with some strong combos. If he can do that, Thompson should walk away with the win.
Gilbert Burns-Stephen Thompson prediction & pick
Thompson is the slight favorite, but this bout is a bit of a coin flip. Burns and Thompson match up well with each other, as this has the makings for the Fight of the Night Award. Both fighters like to take their time once the cage closes, so the first round may be a tad boring. However, Round 2 and beyond could be a completely different story. Look for this one to go the distance, with Stephen Thompson winning the fight.
FINAL PICK: Stephen Thompson wins by Split Decision
Follow Us
Subscribe