UFC on ESPN 36: Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic odds, picks and predictions
In a light heavyweight bout in the main event, Jan Blachowicz and Aleksandar Rakic meet Saturday at UFC on ESPN 36 at the UFC's APEX Facility in Las Vegas. Below, we analyze the UFC on ESPN 36 Blachowicz vs. Rakic odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The fights can be viewed on ESPN/ESPN+ with the prelims starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. The main card begins on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Blachowicz gives up 2 inches in height to his opponent in this one. Rakic also holds a 4.23-to-3.59 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, and he is a lot more accurate in that department, too, landing 66.84% of his strikes compared to 57.89% for Blachowicz.
If Blachowicz holds an advantage it's in the ground game where he leads in takedown average as well as a slight 0.21-to-0.19 submission average advantage.
The Polish-born Blachowicz is coming off a disappointing 2nd-round submission loss to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267, losing his title after holding the strap since topping Dominick Reyes in Sept. 2020. He also surprised Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision at UFC 259 in March 2021 to retain the belt between those two bouts.
Rakic is working on a 2-fight win streak, posting a pair of UD wins over Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos after a disappointing split-decision setback to Volkan Oezdemir in Dec. 2019. He is 6-1 in 7 fights, including 5 decisions (4-1), since arriving at the UFC level.
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UFC on ESPN 36 Blachowicz vs. Rakic odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:32 a.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line) : Blachowicz +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Rakic -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +102 | No -140)
UFC on ESPN 36 Blachowicz vs. Rakic picks and predictions
Records: Blachowicz (28-9-0) | Rakic (14-2-0)
Fight result (2-way line or money line)
BLACHOWICZ (+175) is a rather moderate underdog given his solid pedigree. He has been a champion, and Rakic is still not totally complete as a fighter. He has left it up to the judges to decide his fate in 3 straight fights, going 2-1, and that can be rather dangerous. Blachowicz has the ability to submit him.
Over/Under (O/U)
NO (-140): FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE is the way to go, despite the fact Rakic hasn't had a stoppage in each of the past 3 fights.
Blachowicz does good work on the ground, and the Berkut WCA Fight Team member will be looking to get this fight to the canvas as quickly as possible. He won't knock out Rakic, as that has never happened in his entire career. He has been submitted once before though, and Blachowicz is 9-2 in his professional career via submission.
As such, also play BLACHOWICZ BY SUBMISSION (+1100) for a tremendous value for the Method of Victory wager.
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