| Jones vs. Santos | Nunes vs. Holm | Askren vs. Masvidal | Blachowicz vs. Rockhold | Chiesa vs. Sanchez | |
| MMA Junkie readers' consensus picks 2019: 115-56 (67%) | Jones (78%) | Nunes (59%) | Askren (59%) | Rockhold (66%) | Chiesa (65%) |
| Nolan King @mma_kings 2019: 19-5 (79%) | Jones | Nunes | Masvidal | Rockhold | Chiesa |
| Simon Head @simonhead 2019: 21-8 (72%) | Jones | Nunes | Askren | Blachowicz | Chiesa |
| Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2019: 117-54 (68%) | Jones | Nunes | Askren | Blachowicz | Sanchez |
| Simon Samano @SJSamano 2019: 114-58 (66%) | Jones | Nunes | Masvidal | Blachowicz | Chiesa |
| Brian Garcia @thegoze 2019: 112-59 (65%) 2017 Champion | Jones | Nunes | Masvidal | Rockhold | Chiesa |
| John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2019: 112-59 (65%) | Jones | Nunes | Askren | Rockhold | Chiesa |
| Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2019: 110-61 (64%) 2014 Champion | Jones | Nunes | Askren | Rockhold | Chiesa |
| Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2019: 107-64 (63%) 2018 Champion | Jones | Nunes | Masvidal | Blachowicz | Chiesa |
| Steven Marrocco @MMAjunkieSteven 2019: 106-65 (62%) | Jones | Nunes | Masvidal | Blachowicz | Chiesa |
| Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2019: 11-7 (61%) | Jones | Nunes | Masvidal | Rockhold | Chiesa |
| Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2019: 103-68 (60%) | Jones | Nunes | Askren | Blachowicz | Chiesa |
| George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2019: 103-68 (60%) | Jones | Nunes | Masvidal | Rockhold | Chiesa |
| Dave Doyle @davedoylemma 2019: 47-33 (59%) | Jones | Holm | Askren | Blachowicz | Chiesa |
| Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2019: 101-70 (59%) | Santos | Holm | Masvidal | Rockhold | Chiesa |
Hare my predictions, picks, and breakdown for the stacked card headlined by Jon Jones vs Thiago Santos, Amanda Nunes vs Holly Holm and Jorge Masvidal vs Ben.
Preview and picks for UFC 239 in Las Vegas A breakdown of the fights on the main card of UFC 239 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, with picks from the Review-Journal's Adam Hill and Heidi Fang. Christian Pina gives his preview and a prediction on how UFC 239's main event between Jon 'Bones' Jones and Thiago 'Marreta' Santos will play out. Christian Pina is a professional sports bettor and host of InsideVegas on the Sports Gambling Podcast Network as well as a contributor for CP Sports.
The UFC is back in its home base for another 'International Fight Week,' and a pair of title fights headline the card.
UFC 239 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)
In the main event, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (24-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) puts his belt on the line against challenger Thiago Santos (21-6 MMA, 13-5 UFC), who is perfect since moving up from middleweight. Jones is a heavy 6-1 favorite from the oddsmakers, and only one of our 14 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers is picking against him.
In the co-feature, dual women's champion Amanda Nunes (17-4 MMA, 10-1 UFC) puts her bantamweight title up for grabs against former champ Holly Holm (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC). Like Jones, Nunes is a huge favorite in the picks from our staff members with only two pickers taking Holm in an upset.
The other near-unanimous pick opens the main card. Michael Chiesa (14-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) is a heavy 13-1 pick against Diego Sanchez (29-11 MMA, 18-11 UFC) in their lightweight fight to kick off the pay-per-view portion of the event.
Ben Askren (19-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will try to stay unbeaten against Jorge Masvidal (33-13 MMA, 10-6 UFC) in a welterweight fight that has turned into a grudge match. Askren is more than a 2-1 favorite, but it's the underdog Masvidal with a slight edge from our pickers at 8-6.
And in a light heavyweight bout, former middleweight champ Luke Rockhold (16-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) moves to the division for the first time to take on Jan Blachowicz (23-8 MMA, 6-5 UFC). Rockhold is a moderate favorite in the fight, but our pickers have it right down the middle at 7-7.
In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Jones (78 percent), Nunes (59 percent), Askren (59 percent), Rockhold (66 percent) and Chiesa (65 percent) are the choices.
Check out all the picks above.
For more on UFC 239, check out the MMA Schedule.
Ufc 239 Payout
In a light heavyweight bout on Saturday's main card, Thiago Santos and Aleksandar Rakic meet at UFC 259 at the UFC's APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The early prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. and then the main card on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. Below, we analyze the UFC 259 odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Stream UFC 259 on ESPN+ by signing up here.
UFC 259 Santos vs. Rakic: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.
Fight result (2-way line)
Watch Ufc 239
: 2.5 rounds (Over +125 | Under -150)Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +165 | No -200)Special UFC 259 Promotion!
Bet $1 on Israel Adesanya and WIN $100 (in free bets) if Adesanya wins vs. Blachowicz during UFC 259. Promotion available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply.
Place all of your legal, online sports wagers at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. Bet now!
Ufc 239 Predictions Bloody Elbow
UFC 259 Santos vs. Rakic: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Records: Santos 21-8 | Rakic 13-2
Fight result (2-way line or money line)
RAKIC (-165) straight up on the 2-way line is the best bet here, as he enters 5-1 at the UFC level, and he has a pair of KO/TKO under his belt since joining the company. Last time out, Aug. 29, 2020, in the main event, he took care of Anthony Smith by unanimous decision.
Santos (+140) enters this one two inches shorter and with a two-inch reach disadvantage. Rakic also has a 4.66-4.36 significant strikes landed per minute, with a 54.91-to-48.37 significant-strikes-accuracy-percentage advantage. Santos enters on a two-bout skid, falling to Glover Teixeira in the follow-up to his title bout loss to Jon Jones at UFC 239.
In addition, RAKIC BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (+190) on the 5-way line is a strong play, as you have a chance to nearly double up. Playing RAKIC IN ROUND 1 (+400) and RAKIC IN ROUND 2 (+725) in round betting is a good play. Yes, you will lose on end, but you'll still be well ahead if he gets the early finish.
Play our new free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under (O/U)
Ufc 239 Fight Card
Four of the past five fights for Santos have finished inside the distance, and 13 of his past 15 have resulted in stoppages., including 10 KO/TKOs (8-2). Two of the past four for Rakic have finished inside the distance, so UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-150) is a solid play.
Ufc 239 Predictions
Preview and picks for UFC 239 in Las Vegas A breakdown of the fights on the main card of UFC 239 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, with picks from the Review-Journal's Adam Hill and Heidi Fang. Christian Pina gives his preview and a prediction on how UFC 239's main event between Jon 'Bones' Jones and Thiago 'Marreta' Santos will play out. Christian Pina is a professional sports bettor and host of InsideVegas on the Sports Gambling Podcast Network as well as a contributor for CP Sports.
The UFC is back in its home base for another 'International Fight Week,' and a pair of title fights headline the card.
UFC 239 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)
In the main event, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (24-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) puts his belt on the line against challenger Thiago Santos (21-6 MMA, 13-5 UFC), who is perfect since moving up from middleweight. Jones is a heavy 6-1 favorite from the oddsmakers, and only one of our 14 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers is picking against him.
In the co-feature, dual women's champion Amanda Nunes (17-4 MMA, 10-1 UFC) puts her bantamweight title up for grabs against former champ Holly Holm (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC). Like Jones, Nunes is a huge favorite in the picks from our staff members with only two pickers taking Holm in an upset.
The other near-unanimous pick opens the main card. Michael Chiesa (14-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) is a heavy 13-1 pick against Diego Sanchez (29-11 MMA, 18-11 UFC) in their lightweight fight to kick off the pay-per-view portion of the event.
Ben Askren (19-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will try to stay unbeaten against Jorge Masvidal (33-13 MMA, 10-6 UFC) in a welterweight fight that has turned into a grudge match. Askren is more than a 2-1 favorite, but it's the underdog Masvidal with a slight edge from our pickers at 8-6.
And in a light heavyweight bout, former middleweight champ Luke Rockhold (16-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) moves to the division for the first time to take on Jan Blachowicz (23-8 MMA, 6-5 UFC). Rockhold is a moderate favorite in the fight, but our pickers have it right down the middle at 7-7.
In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Jones (78 percent), Nunes (59 percent), Askren (59 percent), Rockhold (66 percent) and Chiesa (65 percent) are the choices.
Check out all the picks above.
For more on UFC 239, check out the MMA Schedule.
Ufc 239 Payout
In a light heavyweight bout on Saturday's main card, Thiago Santos and Aleksandar Rakic meet at UFC 259 at the UFC's APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The early prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. and then the main card on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. Below, we analyze the UFC 259 odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Stream UFC 259 on ESPN+ by signing up here.
UFC 259 Santos vs. Rakic: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.
Fight result (2-way line): Santos +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Rakic -165 (bet $165 to win $100)Over/UnderWatch Ufc 239
: 2.5 rounds (Over +125 | Under -150)Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +165 | No -200)Special UFC 259 Promotion!
Bet $1 on Israel Adesanya and WIN $100 (in free bets) if Adesanya wins vs. Blachowicz during UFC 259. Promotion available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply.
Place all of your legal, online sports wagers at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. Bet now!
Ufc 239 Predictions Bloody Elbow
UFC 259 Santos vs. Rakic: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Records: Santos 21-8 | Rakic 13-2
Fight result (2-way line or money line)
RAKIC (-165) straight up on the 2-way line is the best bet here, as he enters 5-1 at the UFC level, and he has a pair of KO/TKO under his belt since joining the company. Last time out, Aug. 29, 2020, in the main event, he took care of Anthony Smith by unanimous decision.
Santos (+140) enters this one two inches shorter and with a two-inch reach disadvantage. Rakic also has a 4.66-4.36 significant strikes landed per minute, with a 54.91-to-48.37 significant-strikes-accuracy-percentage advantage. Santos enters on a two-bout skid, falling to Glover Teixeira in the follow-up to his title bout loss to Jon Jones at UFC 239.
In addition, RAKIC BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (+190) on the 5-way line is a strong play, as you have a chance to nearly double up. Playing RAKIC IN ROUND 1 (+400) and RAKIC IN ROUND 2 (+725) in round betting is a good play. Yes, you will lose on end, but you'll still be well ahead if he gets the early finish.
Play our new free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under (O/U)
Ufc 239 Fight Card
Four of the past five fights for Santos have finished inside the distance, and 13 of his past 15 have resulted in stoppages., including 10 KO/TKOs (8-2). Two of the past four for Rakic have finished inside the distance, so UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-150) is a solid play.
Ufc 239 Predictions
To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.
Want some action on UFC 259? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Ufc 239 Card Results
MMA Junkie:
Thiago Santos: ‘I need a good performance' at UFC 259 to be considered for titleUFC 259 play-by-play and live results (5:15 p.m. ET)Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and us on Facebook.
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