UFC on Fox 28 returns for MMA Betting action on Saturday from Orlando, Florida. Most noteworthy is the main card headliner of Josh Emmett vs. Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens. There will be three other main card bouts. All of the action will be televised on FOX. The featherweight bout between Emmett and Stephens may headline the card but a female match is also highly anticipated. Jessica Andrade will take on Tecia Torres in the women’s strawweight division. UFC Fight Night returns to Orlando for the first time since December 2015.
UFC Fight Night on Fox Emmett vs. Stephens
Date and Time: Saturday, February 24, 2018, 8 p.m. Eastern
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
MMA Betting Online Odds: (Click Here to see the Lines)
UFC Fight Night TV Coverage: FOX
First of all is a check of the odds. Jeremy Stephens opened as a -160 MMA Betting favorite against Josh Emmett. Emmet is a +140 dog. In the women’s bout Jessica Andrade opened as a -130 chalk. Tecia Torres is a +255 dog against Andrade. Two other bouts are on the main card. Ovince Saint Preux faces Ilir Latifi in a light heavyweight match. Saint Preux is a -125 favorite with Latifi as a +105 dog. In a welterweight bout Mike Perry meets Max Griffin. Perry is a -340 chalk with Griffin a +280 dog.
Josh Emmett enters his sportsbook online matchup with Jeremy Stephens as the fourth ranked featherweight. Stephens is ranked seventh in the division. Emmett is 66 inches tall. His weight is 145 pounds. The reach for Emmett is 70 inches. Stephens is 69 inches tall. His reach is 71 inches. He also weighs 145 pounds.
In takedown average Emmett has an edge of 2.09 to 1.19. Takedown accuracy also belongs with Emmett posting a 52.94% to 36.49% advantage. Stephens has a takedown defense rate of 64.65% compared to 50% for Emmett. In the significant strike category Emmett lands 4.01 per minute compared to 3.07 for Stephens. The accuracy edge goes to Stephens at 40.4% compared to 36.84 for Emmett. Absorbed PM shows 3.64 for Emmett and 2.71 for Stephens. Defense favors Emmett 64.07% to 60.23%.
With his 14 career bouts Emmett is 13-1. His UFC career mark is 4-1. Most recently Emmett scored a first round knockout win over Ricardo Lamas. Prior to that he scored a unanimous decision win over Felipe Arantes. Four of Emmett’s wins were by knockout. He has seven wins by decision and two by submission.
In comparison Stephens is 27-14 in 41 career bouts. Most noteworthy, he is riding a two bout winning streak. Prior to that he had lost his two previous fights. On January 14 Stephens scored a second round TKO win over Doo Ho Choi. Especially relevant is that resiliency is a big part of Stephens resume. Few fighters can rebound from failure like the 31 year old from San Diego. Of his 27 wins 17 were by knockout. A total of seven were by decision. In Stephens career he has just three submission wins.
Matchup to Watch
Experience is a big factor in Stephens being the MMA Betting favorite. He has the proven record of success. “Lil’ Heathen” has a superior resume of past opponents. That experience of numerous tough fights is a big edge against Emmett. Stephens has also shown the ability to adapt. Most of all, his two recent wins demonstrate that.
UFC on FOX 28 Betting Odds Picks
Stephens is the pick to outlast Emmett.
UFC on FOX 28 Betting Online Pick: Jeremy Stephens
UFC on FOX 28 Betting Online Prediction: Stephens by unanimous decision