The main event for UFC Fight Island 8 features a welterweight bout between Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny. Chiesa and Magny have both won six of their last eight fights, and both are currently on a three-win streak, but oddsmakers are favoring Magny, who’s been more active recently. It’ll be close, but Magny will end up winning by decision.
The schedule for UFC Fight Island 8 has gone through several adjustments due to COVID-19 issues. The main event was initially supposed to be Leon Edwards vs Khamzat Chimaev, but fans will have to settle for Michael Chiesa vs Neil Magny. Despite the late scheduling of the fight, it should provide lots of fun for the fans as both fighters are in good form as of late. Both fighters are known for their grind-it-out fighting style, so it’s unlikely that we see a knockout. Online sportsbooks in New Jersey are most likely giving Magny the edge due to him having fought more recently than Chiesa. Magny’s last fight was a unanimous decision victory against Robbie Lawler on August 29, 2020. That victory marked his third straight win since losing to Santiago Ponzinibbo way back in November 2017. Chiesa marked his third straight victory with a unanimous decision win over Rafael Dos Anjos, but that was a year ago. He’ll probably look a little rustier than Magny, which is why New Jersey’s top MMA betting site and online UFC betting sites think that Magny will win. New Jersey sportsbook reviews rank the best oddsmakers and sportsbooks for online bettors. FanDuel lists the odds for Magny to win at -144, but BetMGM and 888sport have slightly better value at -139. This fight will be a display of stamina between the two welterweights. Both are great all-around fighters, so it’s tough to choose who will come out on top. Two of Chiesa’s last three victories and four of Magny’s last five have come by way of a unanimous decision. I think this fight will go at least four rounds, but ultimately, I think it goes the distance. Magny wins by decision.
Both fighters are in excellent form, but I think that Chiesa’s year-long absence from the ring will cost him in the end. Magny wins this one by decision.