The octagon has been set up in the beaches of Yas Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi, UAE for UFC 251: Usman vs Masvidal. The main card pay per view will go live at 10 PM ET on July 11 boasting three title fights. In one of the other fights of the main card, Amanda Ribas goes up against Paige Vanzant in a women’s Strawweight matchup. With PVZ currently being listed as overwhelming underdog, is it worth placing a bet on her for the potential returns? Find out with our Amanda Ribas vs Paige VanZant Betting predictions for UFC 251.
The betting lines are wide here with VanZant being listed as underwhelming favorite among online sportsbooks. Her name recognition combined with odds like +525 (Sugar House, 888sport) and +600 (Fan Duel) will ensure that there will be those that wouldn’t mind placing a bet on PVZ for the potential returns. I would personally stay away from it as the outcome of this fight will be as clear cut as the betting lines. There’s some value in how this fight ends as I think Ribas will pull off a submission win so see which online sportsbooks have favorable odds for the “fight not to go the distance” option.
There’s a reason why this fight is a main card fight. Some would say that it’s PVZ that the UFC is trying to save but I actually think Amanda Ribas is the draw here. Based on her performances the UFC has got a future star in their hands, if she isn’t considered one already. In my opinion I’ve seen enough from her to say that she’s a future world champion or at the very least a top contender. Her debut in the UFC came just a little over a year ago, in what was one of the most impressive debuts I’ve seen from the women’s division of the UFC. She submitted Emily Whitmire in an impressive display of her BJJ black belt skills. In her next fight just four months later she already showed a big improvement in her striking which she used very effectively to earn a UD victory over Mckenzie Dern. VanZant meanwhile has been disappointing in her last few fights not just in terms of results but also performances. In her last fight she actually won by submitting Rachael Ostovich but she was losing that fight until a mistake by Ostovich. She’s also undergone a couple of arm surgeries after significant injuries. In short, a bet on VanZant is a big gamble here. Even the UFC seems to be off the PVZ train especially after she’s been vocal about her pay. A combination of VanZant’s underwhelming perfomances and Ribas’ massive star potential is enough for me to ignore a chance on PVZ. I see Ribas striking effectively against VanZant but I actually think this fight will end with Ribas taking PVZ’s back and slipping in a tight rear-naked choke. MY prediction is a submission win by Amanda Ribas.
