UFC Best Bets Today (7/15/23): Holm vs Silva & Sadykhov vs McKinney

The July 15th UFC main event starts at 10:00 PM EST with the Women’s Bantamweight fight between Holly Holm and Mayra Bueno Silva. Holm is currently favored at -180 odds on the moneyline with a 5.5 point spread at +150 odds. Read on for UFC predications and best bets for the July 15th card along with relevant betting analysis.

UFC Fight Night Holm vs Silva Best Bets

While I am still picking up my jaw off the floor after Robbie Lawler burned our parlay in a matter of 38 seconds, I am pleased that we were able to profit on the night by cashing in on Pantoja’s moneyline. We now shift our focus back towards a Fight Night, a card that is headlined by the veteran Holly Holm and the feisty Mayra Bueno Silva. Holm will look to get back on the main stage while Silva tries to build on her three-fight win streak.

Holly Holm Vs. Mayra Bueno Silva

Holly Holm’s career has been the definition of a roller coaster as she was labeled the next great female fighter when she made her transition to the UFC. She continued her early success by shocking the world with a KO/TKO victory over Ronda Rousey, dismantling the star early in the second round. Her career then took a turn for the worse after the major upset win, going 5-6 with three of those losses being title opportunities.

After turning 41, Holm now finds herself at the tail end of her career and is making one last push towards recapturing the gold. In order for her to do so, she must face up and comer Mayra Bueno Silva. Silva is a well-rounded fighter who is capable of competing on her feet as well as taking it to the mat. While she prefers to keep her opponents on their feet in striking matchups, her last two victories have come via submission.

Remember when…

UFC bantamweight contender Mayra Bueno Silva trapped Mara Borella with a nasty armbar submission for her second UFC win. (Sept. 2020)#MMA #MMATwitter #UFC #UFCVegas77 pic.twitter.com/gOsdA5OU19

— Curtis Calhoun (@CalhounOnMMA) July 13, 2023

Even in the back end of her career, Holm still comes in as the decent sized favorite over the younger Brazilian. Holm has the reach advantage to counter Silva’s striking ability, as well as being the superior grappler should this hit the mat. The reach advantage is especially vital as Holm can create space as she back pedals, keeping herself out of a dangerous position and wasting precious time off the clock in an attempt to cash our bet.

Even with her last two victories coming via submission, Silva will struggle to find the same success as Holm rarely puts herself in submission opportunities. She has only been caught once in her UFC career, tapping out to Miesha Tate in her first fight after the Ronda victory.

With Holm rounding out as a long-distance type fighter with three of her last four fights going to decision, as well as possessing the ability to keep herself out of danger in this contest, I am wagering that this fight goes the distance as we may be in for a long wrestle fest.

Pick: Fight To Go The Distance – Yes

Nazim Sadykhov Vs. Terrance McKinney

After suffering through a terrible life tragedy, Terrance McKinney exploded onto the scene via a seven second knockout against Matt Frevola. He quickly followed up that victory by flexing his versatility with a submission win in his next bout. Building up momentum as a potential fan favorite title contender, McKinney then suffered a setback when he went 1-2 in his next three bouts.

https://twitter.com/CSTodayNews/status/1679521879143399424?s=20

After losing in his PPV debut, McKinney now finds himself two steps back by opening up the main card for a Fight Night. The heavy-handed quick finisher now goes against up and comer Nazim Sadykhov, a fellow finisher type fighter who is on an eight-fight win streak with his last five coming via finish.

The difference between the two thrilling fighters is that Sadykhov has more experience going the distance as four of his last five fights have finished in the third round. As for McKinney, he has gone 1-2 when the fight goes beyond the first round.

Sadykhov has yet to go against a bull-headed freight train type fighter like McKinney, bringing in potential danger for an early finish should he press early in the fight. On the flip side, Terrance has yet to find any sort of success past the first round, being a victim to his own fighting style against the much more well-rounded Sadykhov who will look to match the closed gap. Drink the juice and take under 1.5 as this should result in a thrilling quick finish.

Pick: Under 1.5 Rounds