Get set for the last UFC card of the year with a big Cannonier vs. Strickland prediction, plus the latest odds and betting insights from FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is finishing 2022 with one final fight card at the Apex facility in Las Vegas. The main event features a potent middleweight matchup between Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland, who have each tallied an impressive 10 knockouts on their career records. With a freshly crowned 185-pound champion in Alex Pereira, the division will need to keep developing worthy candidates to join the ranks of former champion Israel Adesanya in the ongoing title crusade.
With Cannonier and Strickland each losing in their most recent outings against Adesanya and Pereira, respectively, getting back to the contenders’ mountaintop will require a truly impressive performance. Nevertheless, the duo of middleweights contain dynamite for fists and will look to disrupt rematch scenarios regarding the former champ, understanding that anything is possible in the world of MMA.
Cannonier has proven power showcased across the heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight divisions. Perhaps it’s the Earth stone energy of his mythic crystals carried neatly in his pocket and worn around his neck during weigh-ins. With an impressive 5-2 record since moving to 185lbs, it’s safe to say that whatever “Tha Killa Gorilla” is doing thus far, it’s working.
If he weren’t wielding the power of the crystals early in his career, he would have started the hallowed practice too late. At age 38, Cannonier’s window to become champion is closing rapidly — especially given the influx of young talents at 185 like Nassourdine Imavov, Edmen Shahbazyan, and Dricus du Plessis, who are still years away from turning 30. Concerning the stylistic matchup against Strickland, Cannonier has expressed having zero fears on fight night, implying the possibility of a stand-up brawl that closes the year out in spectacular fashion.
Strickland is expecting a face-to-face, duke-it-out showdown, but contrary to his unusual, erratic persona outside of the cage, the 31-year-old “Tarzan” is a 14-year veteran of the fight game whose style has evolved into a newly poised and deliberate approach towards his opposition. With tremendous defensive wrestling, bricks for fists, and an unwavering will to win, Strickland must nonetheless avoid a firefight from one of the division’s hardest hitters.
So, who ultimately gains the distinction of putting a bow on 2022 with a win?
Our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook have set the razor-thin betting lines in favor of Cannonier, although the favorite in this fight has rocked back and forth between fighters and has also read even. Let’s look at the odds and major prop bets for Saturday’s Sean Strickland vs. Jared Cannonier main event, plus a big fight prediction.
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Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland Fight Info
UFC Vegas 66 — Main Event Middleweight Bout
#3 Jared Cannonier (15-6-0, 10 KOs, 2 Submissions)
vs.
#7 Sean Strickland (25-4-0 10 KOs, 4 Submissions)
Date: Saturday, December 17, 2022
Fight Time: The main card begins at 7 p.m. ET
Venue: UFC Apex Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Coverage: ESPN+
Cannonier vs. Strickland Odds to Win
All UFC Vegas 66 odds, lines, and prop bets are available on FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline
Jared Cannonier: -111
Sean Strickland: -115
UFC Vegas 66 Cannonier vs. Strickland Prop Bets
Method of Victory
Cannonier by:
KO/TKO: +270
Points: +320
Submission: +1300
Strickland by:
KO/TKO: +420
Points: +230
Submission: +1100
Will the Fight Go the Distance?
Yes: -112
No: -112
Over/Under Total Rounds
OVER 4.5: -138
UNDER 4.5: +108
Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland Prediction
UFC Vegas 66 prediction percentages courtesy of Tapology Fight Predictions.
- Projected winner: Cannonier (63%)
- Projected method of victory: KO/TKO (78%)
Strickland isn’t the most efficacious wrestler on the UFC roster, and Cannonier has a powerful grappling defense. With that in mind, a strong sense of boxing fundamentals from the middleweights will likely keep this fighting standing up. This fight will come down to Strickland being able to withstand five rounds of potent danger. Considering his defensive inconsistencies regarding head movement coupled with Cannonier’s one-shot KO power, I find it highly unlikely that “Tarzan” will be able to withstand the rage of “Tha Killa Gorilla.”
CANNONIER VS. STRICKLAND PREDICTION: Jared Cannonier by KO/TKO (+270)
UFC Vegas 66 Betting Trends & Stats
- Jared Cannonier was defeated by Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision in his most recent fight on July 2, 2022.
- Sean Strickland was defeated by Alex Pereira by KO in his most recent fight on July 2, 2022.
- Cannonier averages 3.73 significant strikes landed per minute with a 51% accuracy rate.
- Strickland averages 5.54 significant strikes landed per minute with a 40% accuracy rate.
- Cannonier averages 3.50 significant strikes absorbed per minute with a 61% defense rate.
- Strickland averages 4.01 significant strikes absorbed per minute with a 65% defense rate.
- Cannonier has a 65% takedown defense rate.
- Strickland has an 85% takedown defense rate.
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