We are finishing International Fight Week this 2022, obviously in Las Vegas Nevada, and we get a stacked card for the event.
First of all, we get two championship title fights with two exciting and dominating champs topping a fight card with 12 fights and filled with pure talent.
We are going to take the time to analyze each of the fights on the card, as we enjoy the event that headlines the UFC’s celebration of International Fight Week.
With 7 prelims and 5 fights on the main card, we have a lot of work to do to get you ready to place your picks for the event.
You can check all the UFC/MMA bets, the analysis of each fighter, and the final bet you can make in this fight.
UFC 276 – Adesanya vs. Cannonier – Betting Odds and Free Picks – Info
When: Saturday, June 2nd, at 6:00 pm ET
Moneyline odds:
Israel Adesanya -430 / Jared Cannonier +330
Alexander Volkanovski -200 / Max Holloway +160
Sean Strickland -115 / Alex Pereira -115
Robbie Lawler -120 / Bryan Barberena -110
Pedro Munhoz +230 / Sean O’Malley -290
Brad Riddell -110 / Jalin Turner -140
Donald Cerrone +160 / Jim Miller -200
Ian Garry -180 / Gabe Green +150
Brad Tavares +110 / Dricus Du Plessis -140
Uriah Hall +240 / André Muniz -300
Jessica Eye +200 / Maycee Barber -260
Jessica-Rose Clark -170 / Julija Stoliarenko +140
Draw Offs: –
Where Can I Watch? ESPN +
Where Can I Stream? ESPN Go
UFC 276: Israel Adesanya vs. Jared Cannonier
Why Bet on Israel Adesanya
Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya is coming off a unanimous decision victory against Robert Whittaker at UFC 271 in February.
That was the fourth middleweight title defense for Adesanya who unified the championship by knocking out Whittaker in 2019.
Adesanya is 22-1 in his MMA career, including 11-1 in the UFC, with his only defeat coming when he moved up in weight to unsuccessfully challenge Jan Blachowicz for the 205-pound belt last year.
The Last Stylebender is arguably the best technical striker in the UFC and uses his length, quickness, kicking ability, and deceptive power to devastating effect.
Why Bet on Jared Cannonier
Jared “Tha Killa Gorilla” Cannonier is coming off back-to-back wins, most recently knocking out Derek Brunson in the second round at UFC 271.
The “Killa Gorilla” has elevated his game since moving to middleweight, where he has gone 5-1 with four wins by way of KO/TKO.
The 38-year-old is an explosive striker with dynamite in his hands and he likes to set up his powerful combinations by attacking the lead leg of his foes.
Israel Adesanya vs. Jared Cannonier Final Betting Analysis:
Adesanya has been openly lobbying to fight Cannonier for years now and that says a lot about the fact that this will be a stand-up battle that plays into each other’s strengths.
While Cannonier is an excellent striker in his own right, he’ll have a very tough time landing his more powerful shots against Adesanya, who has some of the best movement and distance management we’ve ever seen in the sport.
Despite being under six feet tall, Cannonier has an impressive 77-inch reach, but that’s still three inches fewer than Adesanya.
That length, speed, and technical precision of Adesanya will be too much for Cannonier to overcome.
UFC 276: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway
Why Bet on Alexander Volkanovski
Volkanovski showed in his previous two fights he has a lot of ways to win. In the first, he battered Holloway’s legs with calf kicks.
In the rematch, he fell behind early and used his wrestling down the stretch to win.
He’s also improving his hands, as he showed in battering Chan Sung Jung the last time out.
Why Bet on Max Holloway
Holloway is one of the elite strikers in MMA, as well as one of the best overall fighters in the sport.
One hell of a night for any fighter in his division, he is set up on taking back the title that was taken from him, and doing it while making a statement.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway Final Betting Analysis:
This fight has two exciting fighters at the top of the 145lbs food chain, and fight fans believe that it will be another close contest.
This fight is a coin flip, but Volkanovski’s wrestling could be critical here, just like it was in the second fight.
It could wind down to Holloway’s improvement from the last match to this one, but our pick is placed on Alexander Volkanovski.
UFC 276: Sean Strickland vs. Alex Pereira
Why Bet on Sean Strickland
Strickland is primarily a striker, though he has a more well-rounded game at this stage and as recently as two nights ago in a win over Uriah Hall, Strickland was 4-for-6 on takedowns.
Strickland has been on a roll, winning six in a row and seven of his last eight, and has fought for better competition in MMA, beating Jack Hermansson and Hall in his last two fights.
Why Bet on Alex Pereira
Pereira is only 2-0 in the UFC and 5-1 in his MMA career. Make no mistake, though, that he’s a fight game veteran.
He was a two-weight class world champion as a kickboxer and has two wins over Israel Adesanya in that sport, including one by violent knockout.
Sean Strickland vs. Alex Pereira Final Betting Analysis:
This fight may be flying under the radar of casual fans, but hardcore fans know this bout should be the favorite for Fight of the Night.
The fight may well come down to Pereira’s ability to keep the fight standing.
He’s been taken down four times in 15 attempts in his two UFC fights, a respectable figure.
If Strickland can take him down, then the chances of a Strickland win by ground-and-pound finish increase.
But if they essentially have a kickboxing match, the pendulum swings to Pereira.
Our pick is placed on Pereira keeping the fight standing.
UFC 276: Robbie Lawler vs. Bryan Barberena
Why Bet on Robbie Lawler
Once one of the most feared strikers in the welterweight division, Lawler has seen 21 of his 29 career victories coming by KO or TKO.
However, the 40-year-old has failed to finish an opponent on punches since defending the UFC welterweight crown with a fifth-round TKO win over Rory MacDonald almost seven years ago at UFC 189.
However, apart from his victory over Nick Diaz, who had not seen action in the Octagon in the six years preceding their tilt last fall at UFC 266, Ruthless has been consistently overmatched since losing the belt.
Why Bet on Bryan Barberena
Barberena has struggled to produce consistent results since first breaking into the UFC back in 2014.
“Bam Bam” has compiled a middling 8-6-0 in 14 Octagon appearances.
And while he currently rides a two-fight win streak, he has failed to win three in a row since joining the promotion.
Avoiding trouble on the mat remains a major challenge for Barberena.
The 33-year-old has been taken down a total of 22 times over his past four fights. Opponents have almost 20 minutes of total control time during that stretch.
Robbie Lawler vs. Bryan Barberena Final Betting Analysis:
Fight fans expecting to see vintage Lawler in this weekend’s clash are likely to be disappointed.
With his best days behind him, the former champ has struggled to keep pace with younger opponents.
That said, Barberena is not in the same class as Lawler’s recent opponents but is likely to take Ruthless one step closer to retirement.
UFC 276: Pedro Munhoz vs. Sean O’Malley
Why Bet on Pedro Munhoz
“The Young Punisher” hasn’t gotten a title shot in the UFC and probably won’t at this point considering he has lost four of five fights – albeit to stellar competition in Dominick Cruz, Jose Aldo, Frankie Edge, and Sterling.
Munhoz is tied with Urijah Faber for the most bouts in UFC bantamweight history with 17.
Why Bet on Sean O’Malley
The 27-year-old O’Malley now fights out of the Phoenix area – originally from the not-exactly MMA hotbed of Montana – and is ranked 13th in the division.
He is 15-1 in a pro career dating to 2015. He got his chance in the UFC after beating Alfred Khashakyan in Dana White’s Contender Series 2.
“Sugar” has won four straight since his lone loss in August 2020 via first-round TKO against Marlon Vera.
He was last in the Octagon in December, beating Raulian Paiva by first-round TKO (punches) for his fourth Performance of the Night bonus award.
Pedro Munhoz vs. Sean O’Malley Final Betting Analysis:
O’Malley is rightfully favored, sporting a five-inch height advantage and seven more inches of reach, but there’s a case for Munhoz to pull an upset.
‘The Young Punisher’ is known for his calf kicks that can sap the power of O’Malley, who to this point, is a knockout artist and nothing more.
While he is going to need to take some damage to get inside, the veteran Munhoz is as durable as they come. At 19-7, the Brazilian has never been finished in his career.
O’Malley is still unproven going long into fights against real competition and this can go sideways late.
This seems like a fight destined for the scorecards either way.
If Munhoz’s durability holds up early, O’Malley will be in unfamiliar territory and it may be enough for the Brazilian to grow into the match and take over late.
UFC 276: Brad Riddell vs. Jalin Turner
Why Bet on Brad Riddell
Brad Riddell (10-2) lived up to City Kickboxing’s lofty standards, winning his first four UFC bouts and taking home two “Fight of the Night” bonuses along the way.
His wins set up a clash with a former training partner, Rafael Fiziev, who snapped Riddell’s eight-fight win streak via a third-round wheel kick.
Why Bet on Jalin Turner
Jalin Turner (12-5) started his UFC career slow, a knockout of Callan Potter sandwiched between losses to Vicente Luque and Matt Frevola.
“The Tarantula” appears to have found his footing though, racking up four stoppage wins in the past two years.
He’s knocked out nine professional foes and submitted another three.
Brad Riddell vs. Jalin Turner Final Betting Analysis:
Riddell is without question the most dangerous striker Turner has faced since that disastrous run-in with Luque.
As ridiculously large as “The Tarantula” is, he’s still prone to get caught in the pocket, where Riddell’s rapid-fire combinations reign supreme.
If things get into deep waters, it’s very easy to picture Riddell breaking down Turner to the body and legs.
That’s easier said than done, though.
That’s because Riddell is a notoriously slow starter, having lost the first round in four of his five UFC appearances.
This allowed Drew Dober to do some major damage in the early going, and with all due respect to Dober, Turner hits a hell of a lot harder.
Riddell’s got a good chance if he can survive the first five minutes, but Turner’s finishing ability and killer instinct figure to end things before “Quake” can warm up.
UFC 276: Donald Cerrone vs. Jim Miller
Why Bet on Donald Cerrone
Dominant upsets of Mike Perry, Alexander Hernandez, and Al Iaquinta proved that Donald Cerrone (36-16) wasn’t ready to ride off into the sunset.
That time may now be approaching courtesy of a winless (0-5-1) freefall that most recently saw him knocked out by Alex Morono in May 2021.
Originally slated to face Joe Lauzon two weekends ago, “Cowboy” now steps in for Bobby Green on short notice.
Why Bet on Jim Miller
Despite upsetting Roosevelt Roberts in the process, Jim Miller (34-16) seemed grounded for good following a 1-3 stretch.
Rumors of his demise proved exaggerated, proceeding to demolish Erick Gonzalez and Nikolas Motta back to back.
The professional finishes for “A-10” are split 18/6 between submissions and knockouts.
Donald Cerrone vs. Jim Miller Final Betting Analysis:
This pair’s first meeting in 2014 was painfully predictable.
Cerrone’s debilitating low kicks, intercepting knees and slick combinations took apart the much shorter Miller.
There is a newfound striking power that swings things Miller’s way.
Cerrone presumably still has the skills and physical tools to take him apart, but he just reacts so badly whenever he gets hit at this point.
In the end, Miller will blitz him for an early finish.
UFC 276: Ian Garry vs. Gabe Green
Why Bet on Ian Garry
Ian Garry (9-0) started his UFC career with a bang, flattening Contender Series graduate Jordan Williams with a counter right late in the first.
He wasn’t quite as devastating his next time out against Darian Weeks but still walked away with a unanimous decision win.
Why Bet on Gabe Green
He had to make his first winning trip to the judges to do it, but Gabe Green (11-3) successfully outlasted Phil Rowe to even up to his Octagon record at 1-1.
Next came another Contender Series graduate in Yohann Lainesse, whom Green survived a brutal knockdown to stop late in the second.
Ian Garry vs. Gabriel Green Final Betting Analysis:
Garry hasn’t exactly impressed during his Octagon stint, but a whole lot is going his way here.
First, Green is exactly the sort of linear, easy-to-hit striker who Garry’s movement and counters have historically worked wonders against.
Second, Garry easily went five rounds in his final Cage Warriors bout, meaning Green can’t rely on “The Future’s” cardio giving out.
Third, Garry’s got a judo black belt and Green’s takedown defense is awful.
Garry has the right style to exploit Green’s iffy stand-up and the grappling to drag it into his world if things get hairy anyway.
We expect a comfortable decision win for him.
UFC 276: Brad Tavares vs. Dricus Du Plessis
Why Bet on Brad Tavares
Brad Tavares (19-6) put together a solid four-fight win streak from 2016-2018 before running afoul of Israel Adesanya and Edmen Shahbazyan in quick succession.
His 2021 campaign fared a bit better, featuring consecutive decision wins over Antonio Carlos Junior and Omari Akhmedov.
He fights for the first time since July 2021 and faces a two-inch reach disadvantage against “Stillknocks”.
Why Bet on Dricus Du Plessis
Dricus Du Plessis’ (16-2) pre-UFC efforts earned him two EFC titles and a brief reign as KSW Welterweight champion, an honor he claimed by flattening the lethal Roberto Sold. His UFC efforts have been similarly destructive, netting him two knockouts and a “Performance of the Night” bonus for his finish of Trevin Giles.
He’s never seen the judges as a professional, submitting nine.
Brad Tavares vs. Dricus Du Plessis Final Betting Analysis:
Du Plessis is such a weird, unique fighter, and he’s got the tools to win this match-up.
Even if Tavares’ takedown defense figures to take “Stillknocks’” ground game out of the equation, the latter’s countering skills and raw power look sufficient to exploit the rare openings in Tavares’ meat-and-potato striking.
Plus, Tavares’ chin has failed him on multiple occasions, which bodes ill against Du Plessis’ murderous left hook.
Du Plessis is more than capable of catching him late in the first.
UFC 276: Uriah Hall vs. André Muniz
Why Bet on Uriah Hall
Uriah Hall (17-10) went from losing four of five to winning four straight, among them violent knockouts of Bevon Lewis and Anderson Silva.
His efforts earned him the main event slot opposite Sean Strickland, who out-worked and out-wrestled him to a wide decision victory.
“Prime Time” fights for the first time in more than 11 months.
Why Bet on André Muniz
Andre Muniz (22-4) — whose only defeat since 2013 came at the hands of Light Heavyweight prospect Azamat Murzakanov — rode a four-fight win streak into the Octagon that featured two victories on Contender Series.
“Sergipano” has since extended it to eight and racked up three first-round submissions along the way, one of them over the legendary “Jacare” Souza.
Thirteen of his 15 submission victories have come in the first round.
Uriah Hall vs. André Muniz Final Betting Analysis:
If Hall wins this, it’ll be by a miraculous comeback.
The Strickland fight showed that he’s still vulnerable to pressure and wrestling, and while Muniz doesn’t have the stand-up prowess to set up his shots the way Strickland did, he’s consistently shown that he doesn’t need a lot of time on top to end things.
All signs point to “Sergipano” dragging him to the mat in the first couple of minutes and finding his neck (or arm) in short order.
Hall is, admittedly, better than most at miracle comebacks, but we don’t see him keeping it standing long enough to find an opportunity.
In short, make that four consecutive first-round submissions for “Sergipano.”
UFC 276: Jessica Eye vs. Maycee Barber
Why Bet on Jessica Eye
Jessica Eye (15-10) — once amid a 1-5 (1 NC) skid that had her fighting for her UFC life — started her Octagon Flyweight tenure with a 4-1 run marred only by a loss to Valentina Shevchenko.
The magic wasn’t to last, though, entering the cage this Saturday having lost three straight.
Why Bet on Maycee Barber
Maycee Barber (10-2) lost some luster after following a 3-0 UFC start with consecutive losses to Roxanne Modafferi and Alexa Grasso, and her subsequent bogus split decision over Miranda Maverick didn’t help things.
A subsequent clash with Montana De La Rosa worked out a bit better for her, though, as she cruised past The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) veteran for a comfortable victory.
“The Future” steps in for the injured Casey O’Neill on just over two months’ notice.
Jessica Eye vs. Maycee Barber Final Betting Analysis:
Premature though Barber’s nickname turned out to be, this is a very winnable fight for her.
Eye’s takedown defense remains a prominent weakness that allowed four of her last five opponents to drag her to the mat, and if there’s one aspect of Barber’s game that’s genuinely solid, it’s her top control.
It wouldn’t be too outlandish to see Eye box her up, but Barber landed three of five takedowns against a very tough customer in Grasso, so she should have what it takes to drag Eye into her world and cruise to victory.
UFC 276: Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Julija Stoliarenko
Why Bet on Jessica-Rose Clark
While she entered UFC amid a 2-3 (1 NC) slump, Jessica-Rose Clark (11-7) proved she belonged, winning four of her first six in the promotion.
She wasn’t quite so fortunate against Stephanie Egger, unfortunately, suffering the first submission loss of her career in Feb. 2022.
Why Bet on Julija Stoliarenko
Though unsuccessful at TUF 28 Finale, Stoliarenko fought her way back to the big show with five straight wins, among them a decision over unbeaten Lisa Verzosa to claim Invicta’s interim Bantamweight championship.
She’s still chasing her first Octagon victory, having lost three straight since her return.
Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Julija Stoliarenko Final Betting Analysis:
For her sake, Clark better have learned her lesson against Egger.
She did the one thing that could have lost her that fight, namely getting lazy in the clinch, and Stoliarenko is similarly equipped to punish any lapses decisively.
Stoliarenko also looks to be the more capable striker, as she held her own on the feet against Julia Avila and Alexis Davis.
That said, she’s been controlled and beaten up on the mat before.
Indeed, once opponents are wise to her armbar, she runs out of options in a hurry.
So long as Clark stays committed to the takedown and minds her P’s and Q’s on top, she should be able to grind it out.