UFC 253 Reyes vs Blachowicz betting odds & predictions

Reyes vs Blachowicz UFC 253 betting preview

Jon Jones won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 128 in 2011 and never lost it in the octagon, winning a total of 15 matches with the title on the line in a decade of dominance over the division. Jones’s decision to move up in weight class has left the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship vacant, and Dominick Reyes (12-1-0) will take on Jan Blachowicz (26-8-0) for it in the co-main event of UFC 253 this weekend on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.

Reyes was a perfect 12-0 as a professional with a 6-0 record in the UFC when he earned his UFC Lightweight Championship fight against Jones at UFC 247 in February. In the eyes of many, he won that fight – 14 of 21 media outlets scored the fight in favor of the challenger – but on the judges’ cards, where it mattered, Reyes came up short via unanimous decision.

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Blachowicz has enjoyed a resurgence in the second half of his career. Since losing four fights in a five-fight stretch that spanned from April of 2015 through April of 2017, the Pole has put together a 7-1 record over his last eight fights. His current three-fight winning streak includes knockout wins over Luke Rockhold and Corey Anderson. He now has seven wins by knockout and nine wins by submission in his professional career.

Like the UFC 253 main event between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa, this bout should be an exciting one from start to finish between two fighters that will be comfortable keeping it off of the mat and trading blows. Reyes is an excellent kickboxer and Blachowicz is a powerful puncher. But while he has leaned more on his striking abilities of late, Blachowicz does have a background in BJJ that could come into play in a long bout.

Reyes should be the favorite here. He’s the younger and more athletic striker, and in many fans’ minds he is the rightful champion after his controversial loss to Jones. At this price, though, Blachowicz may be the play. His grappling capabilities loom as an X-factor in this fight, and his knockout power could also come into play if Reyes leaves any openings. An upset isn’t the most likely outcome, but the price is right to go for it here.