Shavkat Rakhmonov squares off against Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson in a much-awaited welterweight bout at UFC 296 on Dec. 16.
The undefeated Rakhmonov is a hefty -600 favorite over Thompson, the +450 underdog.
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen Thompson Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Shavkat Rakhmonov | -600 |
| Stephen Thompson | +450 |
Odds as of Dec. 11
Our odds calculator suggests Rakhmonov's -600 odds imply an 85.71% chance of winning, and a $100 bet on him pays out $116.67. Wonderboy's +450 underdog odds imply an 18.18% win probability, and a $100 bet on him pays out $550.
How To Watch UFC 296: Edwards vs Covington
- Date/Time: December 16, 6 p.m ET
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Arena: T-Mobile Arena
- Where to Watch: ESPN+, PPV
Shavkat vs Wonderboy Odds & Betting Preview
Fight fans love Shavkat. Fight fans also love Wonderboy. This will be a heartbreaker either way, so enjoy the mayhem while it lasts!
Rakhmonov vs Thompson Betting Strategy
Shavkat is like a bullet train. He's long, athletic, powerful, and possesses exceptional wrestling skills. Wonderboy has only been stopped once in his 19-fight UFC career, but Rakhmonov is certainly capable of adding another tally to that column.
Pace will be key in this fight. At UFC 285, Geoff Neal introduces some chaos to Shavkat's world by rocking him off balance. We'd never seen Shavkat flustered, and while he bounced back for the win, there were vulnerabilites.
Wonderboy must evade damage Saturday, but he also must not be afraid to speed things up with quick entries and decisive combos. If Thompson can stick and move, Shavkat might just run out of gas.
Rakhmonov vs Thompson Betting Pick
Wonderboy deserves better odds than +450, but that doesn't mean I think he'll win. Shavkat is exceptionally talented, and all his skills suggest he'll best Thompson Saturday.
That said, I'm willing to cautiously bet the OVERs in this bout. My best bet is on the OVER 1.5 rounds. Beyond that, I'll take Shavkat by decision.
