UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya 2 Main Card Betting Odds & Picks

The UFC is back in a big way this weekend, with the promotion heading on down to Australia for UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya. The middleweight title fight serving as the night’s main event has been a long time coming, but the rest of the card is looking pretty spicy as well. The UFC betting odds on most sports betting sites say the main event between former champ Israel Adesanya and current champ Dricus du Plessis is essentially a toss up—but someone’s got to come away with that belt.

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya UFC Betting Odds & Picks

All odds provided by Betway.

( C ) Dricus du Plessis vs. No. 2 Sean Strickland Middleweight Championship Bout Betting Odds

When this fight was first suggested last year, the champ at the time, Israel Adesanya (24-3), was a massive -330 favorite. Now, one year later, with Dricus du Plessis (21-2) now owning the belt, Adesanya is just a -125 odds favorite.

While the South African may be winning the war of words, this is simply a bad stylistic matchup for Du Plessis. He’s more of a blitz attacker, while Sean Strickland, who pieced Adesanya up in his last fight, has a much more patient and unpredictable rhythm to his striking.  Even worse, is that Adesanya is arguably the greatest counter striker of all-time, which is the last thing a blitz attacker who leaves his chin out like DDP wants to hear.

The stigma around Israel Adesanya is that he’s washed up, but we’re not so sure. In fact, we believe he should be a much bigger favorite here considering the style discrepancy. If the Last Stylebender can stay off his back, he should be able to take care of business here.

Smart money says we should just take the gift that his -125 moneyline odds is giving us, but if you want to get really spicy, Du Plessis is very hittable, so Adesanya to win via KO at +300 could be good too.

Best Bet: Israel Adesanya to Win (-125)

No. 4 Kai Kara-France vs. No. 7 Steve Erceg Flyweight Bout Betting Odds

In the co-main event, we see two flyweights looking to get back in the title picture after suffering losses in their last bouts. Kai Kara-France (24-11, 1 NC) has lost his last two, while Steve Erceg (12-2) was on a roll before losing a title fight to champion Alexandre Pantoja last time out.

Kara-France, however, was viewed to have won his most recent bout by many, which went down as an official split decision loss. Erceg’s takedowns will be offset by KKF’s elite defensive wrestling, so this one will be a kickboxing match.

Erceg has a little more power, but Kara-France has the experience advantage as well as a much more nuanced and varied striking attack. This is a tight one, so we’re going to take Kara-France and the value at +162 odds.

Best Bet: Kai Kara-France to Win (+162)

No. 5 Mateusz Gamrot vs. No. 11 Dan Hooker Lightweight Bout Betting Odds

This should be an exciting battle right from the opening bell, with Dan Hooker (23-12) looking to stay up and Mateusz Gamrot (24-2, 1 NC) looking to get the Hangman on the canvas. While Gamrot’s cavalier nature will mean he takes a few early shots from Hooker, he should be able to weather the storm and wear Hooker down with his relentless wrestling, eventually resulting in a decision win for the Pole at -135 odds.

Best Bet: Mateusz Gamrot to Win via Decision (-135)

No. 10 Tai Tuivasa vs. No. 12 Jairzinho Rozenstruik Heavyweight Bout Betting Odds

Two brawlers meet, only one emerges. That’s how this heavyweight battle between Tai Tuivasa (14-7) and Jairzinho Rozenstruik (14-5), both of whom have weapons of mass destruction in their fists. Tuivasa was a fun novelty in the heavyweight division for a while, but after four straight knockout losses, even an underachiever like Rozenstruik can get the jump on him.

Rozenstruik will take his time to get Tuivasa’s timing down, then he will pounce on the plodding Aussie. There’s absolutely no chance this slugfest goes to the cards, so take Rozenstruik to win via knockout at -163 odds.

Best Bet: Jairzinho Rozenstruik to Win via KO/TKO (-163)