Livest Dog at UFC 208: Holly Holm

Alan Draper

Sports Editor

September 4 2019 2 min read

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 15: Ronda Rousey of the United States (R) and Holly Holm of the United States compete in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) — MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 15: Ronda Rousey of the United States (R) and Holly Holm of the United States compete in their UFC women’s bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 193 event at Etihad Stadium on November 15, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Name: Holly Holm

Opponent: Germaine de Randamie

Odds: +108 (bet $100 to win $108)

For the second straight week, I like the underdog in the main event. While the Korean Zombie was underrated due to time off, Holm is underrated in this fight thanks to matchup inflation. If you look at the opponents of Holm, you’ll only be impressed. Despite taking two straight losses, she faced off with #1 contender Valentina Shevchenko and former champion Miesha Tate. The losses make her look bad, but people tend to forget about the skill level in opponents. Contrastingly, de Randamie has won two in a row, but those wins come over Larissa Pacheco and Anna Elmose. Those two fighters carry a combined UFC record of 0-4.

Another reason to like Holm here is her history at the heavier weight class. Most of her boxing experience happened up closer to 145 lbs. de Randamie also fought closer to that class, but is only 1-1 at featherweight in MMA with a loss to Julia Budd. Add these two factors together and getting Holm at underdog prices seems like a steal.