Giga Chikadze vs Cub Swanson will be stepping into the octagon this Saturday for the co-main event of UFC Vegas 25. The featherweight showdown will feature two fighters with excellent striking skills. Swanson is the more experienced fighter, but Chikadze is the betting favorite. Chikadze has fantastic kicking abilities that should take him over the top.
Giga Chikadze vs Cub Swanson will be the co-main event for UFC Vegas 25. Both men are close to each other in the featherweight rankings, so it’ll be interesting to see who can gain the upper hand. Chikadze and Swanson are fighters that like to stand and strike. They’re not much for striking, but MMA betting sites are pulling for Chikadze. The best UFC betting predictions argue that Chikadze is the superior fighter, but these guys have similar fighting styles. Swanson is a bit more volatile, as he absorbs more significant strikes per minute at 3.64. Chikadze lands fewer strikes per minute than Swanson does, but you could argue that he’s more calculated, as he tends to use well-timed and well-placed kicks to batter his opponents. The fight will most likely end in either a KO/TKOK or by points, as neither fighter is especially proficient at grappling. The best NJ online sports betting sites offer decent betting value for Swanson, and if you want to lay your money down on him, you’ll get the best value on Borgata, where he’s listed at +170 on the money line. Swanson is a good MMA fighter, and he’s riding a two-fight winning streak, but before that, he had lost four straight. His UFC career has been a bit of a roller-coaster, and although he could win this Saturday, I’m leaning more towards Chikadze and his superior kicking skills. Chikadze’s best money line odds are on Fanduel at -170. That’s not terrific value, so I wouldn’t blame you if you’d rather lay a value bet on Swanson, but my instincts say that Chikadze’s going to win by either KO/TKO or points. Be sure to check out the NJ sportsbook review to look at the best odds and markets for the upcoming UFC fight.
Swanson would have a better shot at beating Chikadze on the mat, but he doesn’t really have any effective grappling or wrestling techniques in his arsenal. It could come down to a decision victory, but I’m feeling a KO/TKO victory. My prediction: Chikadze wins by KO/TKO in the 2nd round.
