Weili Zhang vs Rose Namajunas betting picks & odds – UFC 261

The current strawweight champion Weili “Magnum” Zhang comes into UFC 261 off what was debatably the 2020 fight of the year in her defense against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. She has never had more hype, but Rose “Thug” Namajunas is looking to play spoiler to her reign as the queen at 115 pounds. Let’s take a look at the best bets for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship on Saturday night in Jacksonville, Florida.

Zhang vs Namajunas UFC 261 betting preview

Weili Zhang (21-1, 5-0 UFC) lost her first professional fight but has not looked back since, going an outstanding 21-0 after that loss back in 2013. She has incredible striking and a strong chin as a strawweight. She can move quickly in and out of danger, which is why she did so well in exchanges in her fight against Jedrzejczyk. Even though she has quite an impressive resume when it comes to finishing fights, the safer betting pick for Weili is a decision victory at +150 with UFC bookmakers. Zhang to win inside the distance (+200) is another solid play, while the odds on a submission win (+1400) look way too long given her history of tapping out her opponents.

While Rose Namajunas (9-4, 7-3 UFC) is three years younger than Weili and has less professional experience, she has spent more time in the UFC octagon than her next opponent. She has been in there with the best at 115 pounds, so you cannot rule her out altogether. She has a two-inch reach advantage and a skilled ground game that could best Weili if given the right opportunity. She has showed that she belongs here, beating similar opposition to what Weili has competed against like Jedrzejczyk and Tecia Torres. We credit Namajunas most for her ability to come back from losses and learn. We think she is a fighter that is still evolving and one that can take home UFC gold. If you side with Rose, a points decision pick (+365) or a submission pick (+800) are good value bets, but we like her straight up.