Alex Pereira is set to headline UFC 300 as the betting favorite in his first title defense against ex-champion Jamahal Hill, despite having only two past fights in the light heavyweight division.
Alex Pereira. He’s the name on everyone’s lips. Why? Because he’s not just a part of UFC 300’s main event. He’s the star of it. And guess what? He’s also the betting favorite.
But here’s the thing. Pereira’s only had two fights in the light heavyweight division. Just two. But respect? He’s got it in spades. That’s why the oddsmakers are backing him to beat ex-champ, Jamahal Hill. The fight’s set for April 13.
Sportsbetting.ag’s opening odds? They’ve got Pereira as a slight favorite. His first title defense, no less. Remember when he knocked out Jiri Prochazka last November? Yeah, that’s when he claimed the title.
Let’s talk numbers. The UFC 300 main event opening odds? Pereira’s at -155. Hill? He’s at +135.
So, what does that mean? Well, if you bet $155 on Pereira and he wins, you’d get $100. But if you put $100 on Hill, you’d get $135 back. He’s the underdog, after all.
Now, let’s talk about Hill. Last year, he suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon. It was a big blow. He had to give up his light heavyweight title. That’s what led to Pereira fighting for the vacant belt a few months later.
Hill’s coming into this fight with four wins under his belt. Three knockouts and a decisive victory over Glover Teixeira in January 2023. But then came the injury. It cut his reign short. But now? He’s looking to reclaim the belt in April.
And Pereira? The 36-year-old Brazilian’s got a 9-2 record in MMA. He’s 6-1 in the UFC. His only loss? That was to Israel Adesanya in a middleweight title fight.
So, what’s next? Pereira’s going to defend his belt against Hill. It’s the last fight of the night. The historic card’s set for April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.