UFC on ESPN+ 83: Max Holloway vs. Korean Zombie Main Card Odds

Not only do we get Max Holloway vs. Korean Zombie in the main event on August 26th in Kallang, Singapore, we also get three other fights where both fighters are ranked. As the No. 1 contender in the featherweight division, Holloway was always going to be the favorite, but his moneyline odds on most betting sites and betting apps are positively Shevchenko-esque.

UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Korean Zombie Main Card Betting Odds - August 26th

Also on the main card, No. 10 light heavyweight Ryan Spann will dance with No. 8 Anthony Smith and No. 9 featherweight Giga Chikadze will take on No. 15 Alex Caceres. Not to mention a possible title eliminator for the women’s flyweight division between No. 3 Erin Blanchfield and No. 4 Taila Santos. All odds provided by Sports Interaction.

Max Holloway vs. Jung Chan-sung (Korean Zombie) Featherweight Main Event Fight Odds

Max Holloway (24-7) is already a legend of the UFC and he’s still just 31 years of age. He has not lost to anyone not named Alexander Volkanovski in a featherweight bout since 2013, and even that loss came to a fiery, then-unknown fighter named Conor McGregor. He has dominated every challenger the UFC has put up against him apart from Volkanovski, absolutely dominating the likes of Arnold Allen, Yair Rodriguez, and Calvin Kattar in his last three wins.

In Singapore, he goes up against Jung Chan-sung aka the Korean Zombie (17-7), in what could very well be the 36-year-old’s swan song. Surprisingly, these two have never fought each other despite Holloway’s UFC debut coming in 2012 and KZ’s coming in 2011. Unfortunately, KZ doesn’t seem a match for Holloway at this juncture of his career, so Holloway shouldn’t have much trouble here.

Though KZ has been knocked out a couple of times in recent years, he’s known for having an iron chin—and getting starched by Volk is nothing to be ashamed of. And while Holloway is one of the best boxers in the UFC, he doesn’t really pack that finishing power. With that and Holloway’s prohibitive moneyline odds in mind, the play here is to take Holloway to win by decision at +162 odds. The fight to go over 3.5 rounds at -139 odds is also worth a look here as well.

Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann Light Heavyweight Co-Main Event Fight Odds

In the co-main event we see a rematch of a 2021 fight between Anthony Smith (36-18) and Ryan Spann (21-8) which was won by Smith via first round rear naked choke. Spann would seem to have a few advantages as the younger (31 to 36), taller (6’5” to 6’3”), and longer (81.5” to 76”) fighter here, but that doesn’t tell the full story.

These guys are actually pretty evenly matched. Both are as dangerous on the mat as they are on the feet. Spann is the more powerful puncher, but Smith offers more activity. Neither is a very good defensive boxer, however. Spann has also had six straight fights end in the first round, so we love the fight to end in the first round prop, which is offering -135 odds, though you will have to go to DraftKings for that one.

Giga Chikadze vs. Alex Caceres Featherweight Fight Odds

Giga Chikadze (14-3) seemed like he was on a rocketship to the top of the featherweight division until he was stopped in his tracks by Calvin Kattar in his last bout. This will be a good chance for the Georgian scrapper to get back on track as he takes on Alex Caceres (21-13, 1 no contest), who will be in the biggest fight of his career.

Chikadze is a much more well-rounded striker than Caceres, mixing in great body work with his concrete right hand. Caceres isn’t much of a threat for takedowns, so this one will likely stay on the feet, where Chikadze likes it. Caceres has only been knocked out once, so we love Chikadze to win this one on the cards at +105 odds.

Erin Blanchfield vs. Taila Santos Women’s Flyweight Fight Odds

Erin Blanchfield looks like she’s on her way to a title shot, and while Taila Santos will probably be her toughest test to date, we don’t see the Jersey girl getting fazed. She’s improved her striking massively, and uses it to swarm opponents, thereby setting up her lethal takedowns. She’s an assassin on the mat and while Santos is the better striker, we think Blanchfield will be able to have success with her level changes.

If you want to play it safe, roll with Blanchfield’s moneyline at -139 odds or her decision odds at +140, but if you want to spice it up a little bit, take her slightly more juicy +400 odds to win by submission. Santos has never been finished, but Blanchfield has submitted her last three opponents in round 2 or earlier, including former champ Jessica Andrade in her last fight.