Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez UFC Betting: Who’ll Win in Elmont, NY?

Mixed martial arts fans around the world have their focus on the UFC’s upcoming event, UFC on ABC 3: Ortega vs. Rodriguez. This weekend’s showcase will be taking place at the UBS Arena in Elmont, NY on Saturday, July 16.

Even though many of the fights are worth watching, it’s unsurprising that a large portion of fans is looking forward to the featherweight main event between Brian Ortega (15-2) and Yair Rodriguez (13-3).

Ortega enters the fight as the No. 2-ranked featherweight while Rodriguez is right behind him at No. 3. A victory would bring either man one step closer to a UFC Featherweight Championship opportunity, making this one of the biggest fights of their career.

It’s one of those fights that could go either way. Fortunately, Betting News has gathered the latest Ortega vs. Rodriguez betting odds, as well as a prediction for this weekend’s headliner.

UFC on ABC 3: Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez Fight Odds (as of Friday, July 15)

Odds are via our top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks.

BetOnline Sportsbook

• Brian Ortega -186
• Yair Rodriguez +144

Bovada Sportsbook

• Brian Ortega -170
• Yair Rodriguez +145

BetUS

• Brian Ortega -175
• Yair Rodriguez +138

MyBookie

• Brian Ortega -175
• Yair Rodriguez +145

BetMGM

• Brian Ortega -175
• Yair Rodriguez +145

Ortega, Rodriguez Look to Rebound After Recent Losses

Even though Ortega is the unanimous favorite across the board, the odds only slight favor him at UFC on ABC 3. Nevertheless, it should be a tight fight as both competitors look to bounce back from recent losses.

For Ortega, his last loss came at UFC 266 when he challenged Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship. Ortega wound up suffering a unanimous decision, marking the second time he’s failed to capture the gold in his last three fights. Before those losses, he had won six straight bouts, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can get back to that level.

On the other hand, Rodriguez’s ego is also hurting after he lost the UFC Fight Night 197 main event to Max Holloway, also by unanimous decision. It was a closely fought bout but was also the third time in his last five fights that Rodriguez couldn’t secure the victory.

When it comes to striking, both fighters are fairly event. Ortega averages 4.15 significant strikes per minute on 38% accuracy, while Rodriguez averages 4.65 on 45%. Having said that, Ortega also gives up more strikes per minute (6.69) than his opponent (4.09).

Both men are also fairly evenly matched when it comes to grappling statistics, meaning that the UFC on ABC 3 main event could come down to which fighter makes the first mistake.

Having said that, Rodriguez does have the two-inch reach advantage over Ortega while also being the younger of the two. He’s also the hungrier fighter considering that he’s yet to make it to the top of the mountain.

Regardless, this is a fight that could come down to the wire.

UFC on ABC 3 Betting Markets & Trends for Ortega vs. Rodriguez

While some bettors don’t mind making simply moneyline bets, there are some markets that help shed some light on what could happen between Ortega and Rodriguez at UFC on ABC 3.

For example, BetOnline Sportsbook is favoring the top method of victory as an Ortega submission win at +230 odds. The 31-year-old is 7-0 when his fights are decided by submission, whereas Rodriguez is far from a submission expert and could be in trouble if he gets caught.

Speaking of Rodriguez, his top victory method is to win by decision at +360. He’s 6-1 when his fights go the distance, however, Ortega is 5-1 in the same scenario.

Keeping that in mind, BetOnline is favoring that the upcoming main event won’t go the distance at -160 odds.

When it comes to combo betting, Rodriguez is favored to win the fight by KO/TKO within the first three rounds at +550 odds. That’s extremely interesting considering that he isn’t even the outright favorite to win this fight.

Ortega vs. Rodriguez Fight Prediction

As mentioned earlier, the UFC on ABC 3 main event isn’t going to be a close one. It could truly go either way, but I’m taking Rodriguez to score the upset win over Ortega on Saturday.

At the end of the day, Ortega has already challenged for the gold and has come up short. Meanwhile, I think that we have yet to see the best that Rodriguez has to offer. He has a ton of potential and hunger, which he has the perfect opportunity to capitalize on in Elmont this weekend.

As for the best bet, I’m taking Rodriguez on the moneyline at +145 on either Bovada Sportsbook, MyBookie or BetOnline

UFC on ABC 3: Ortega vs. Rodriguez Event Details

When is UFC on ABC 3: Ortega vs. Rodriguez?

UFC on ABC 3: Ortega vs. Rodriguez will take place on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Where is UFC on ABC 3: Ortega vs. Rodriguez?

UFC on ABC 3: Ortega vs. Rodriguez will take place at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

What time does UFC on ABC 3: Ortega vs. Rodriguez start?

• UFC on ABC 3: Ortega vs. Rodriguez Prelims Start Time: 11 a.m. ET
• Start Time of UFC on ABC 3: Ortega vs. Rodriguez’s Main Card: 2 p.m. ET

How can I watch UFC on ABC 3: Ortega vs. Rodriguez?

The preliminary card can either be watched on ESPN or ESPN+. When it comes to the main card, that can be seen on ESPN+ and ABC.

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