Valter Walker enters Saturday’s heavyweight bout with Thomas Petersen because the betting favourite, with the market transferring towards the Brazilian after an early value that provided a bigger return on Petersen. The three-round combat takes place at Etihad Enviornment on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi as a part of UFC Combat Evening: Ankalaev vs. Guskov booked for July 25.
Walker is listed round -200 on the common moneyline, whereas Petersen sits at +167 with RexBet. That value provides Walker an implied win chance of about 70 %, in contrast with 30 % for Petersen. The matchup is scheduled for July 25, with the UFC Combat Evening as Walker brings a 15-1 skilled report, whereas Petersen arrives at 11-4.
The opening market made Walker a steeper favourite at -279, with Petersen priced at +200. The typical line has since shortened to Walker -200 and Petersen +167, which suggests bettors have proven extra curiosity within the underdog than the opener recommended, regardless that Walker stays the clear favourite.
There’s a vary obtainable throughout the present market. Walker’s value runs from -190 to -225, whereas Petersen will be discovered from +152 to +194. A bettor taking Walker at -190 would want to threat $190 to make $100 in revenue; a $100 successful Petersen wager at +194 would return $194 in revenue.
The perfect obtainable quantity is critical in a combat with a favourite priced within the -200 vary. Walker backers would like -190 moderately than -225, whereas Petersen supporters ought to search for a return close to +194 as a substitute of taking a quantity within the +150s.
Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen Odds: UFC Abu Dhabi Heavyweight Preview
Walker’s UFC run has made him considered one of heavyweight’s extra uncommon ending threats. He’s on a four-fight UFC successful streak, the division’s longest energetic streak, and each a type of wins got here by submission. All 4 UFC submissions had been heel hooks. Walker is tied with Rousimar Palhares for probably the most heel-hook wins in UFC historical past, and his 4 consecutive heel-hook victories are the longest streak of their variety in firm historical past.
That report places Walker by submission firmly in play for method-of-victory markets, regardless that heavyweight betting typically leans towards knockouts. His 4 UFC heavyweight submission wins are tied for fourth-most in divisional historical past, behind Frank Mir, Aleksei Oleinik and Stefan Struve.
Walker has the stronger present resume and a transparent route on the mat, whereas Petersen’s path possible depends on protecting the combat standing, making Walker work via entries and utilizing his expertise in longer UFC fights. The stakes are easy as Walker can prolong the division’s longest energetic successful streak and preserve constructing a case for a ranked opponent, whereas Petersen can halt that run and produce a outcome that will change his heavyweight place.
