UFC Fight Night 145: Blachowicz vs Santos Odds and Predictions

• The UFC heads to the Czech Republic for the first time on Saturday, February 23rd
• Jan Blachowicz takes on Thiago Santos in the night’s main event
• Who’s winning streak will come to end at UFC Fight Night 145?

The UFC is heading to the Czech Republic for the first time in company history. On Saturday, February 23rd the Octagon will touch down in Prague for a battle between two top-five light heavyweights. Jan Blachowicz is taking on Thiago Santos in what should be a great fight. The main card airs at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Jan Blachowicz vs Thiago Santos Odds

*All odds taken 2/19

Fight Record and Recent History

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkeB6iJ4wJc&t=152s

Blachowicz (23-7) is currently riding a four-fight winning streak dating back to October 2017. The Polish star was last in the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 136 where he defeated Nikita Krylov by submission. During his winning streak, he pulled out wins over Jimi Manuwa, Jared Cannonier, and Devin Clark.

Santos (20-6), meanwhile, has just knocked people out since moving up to light heavyweight. Santos was top-15 middleweight but since moving up to light heavyweight in September, he has two TKO/KO wins. In his light heavyweight debut, he defeated Eryk Anders by TKO ref stoppage after the third round. Then, at UFC 231 he opened up the pay-per-view with a knockout over Jimi Manuwa in the second round which.

Blachowicz vs Santos Tale of the Tape

This fight should be a close one and the oddsmakers seem to agree.

Both Santos and Blachowicz are looking to become a clear cut contender at light heavyweight. Winning this fight is crucial for either of them given the light heavyweight division is wide open. As well, the light heavyweight title fight falls just a week after this card, lining the winner of this fight up perfectly to fight for the title.

The light heavyweight title fight falls just a week after this card, lining the winner of this fight up perfectly to fight for the title.

Ultimately, I see this fight going one of two ways. The first way is Blachowicz takes Santos down and grinds him out to get a decision victory. Or, Santos, like he always down wins the fight by TKO/KO. Santos’ lands 51% of the strikes he throws and has a solid 60% striking defense.

Meanwhile, Blachowicz lands 54% of his strikes and has 54% striking defense, showing Blachowicz does get hurt. He will have to avoid the big shot from Santos and shouldn’t want to stand and trade with the knockout artist.

In the end, I see Santos rocking Blachwoicz a bunch and finally putting him away in the third round.

Pick: Thiago Santos (-130)

Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs Stefan Struve Odds

Fight Record and Recent History

de Lima (16-5-1) is coming off a win at UFC 230 in November against Adam Wieczorek in his return to heavyweight. After struggling at light heavyweight with losses to Ovince Saint Preux, and Nikita Krylov among others, de Lima realized it was time to move back up, and in his debut looked good getting a unanimous decision win.

Struve is riding a three-fight losing streak and has been open about saying he needs this win to stay in the UFC.

Struve (28-11) is riding a three-fight losing streak and has been open about saying he needs this win to stay in the UFC. This will be the last fight on his contract and after losses to Alexander Volkov, Andrei Arlovski, and Marcin Tybura, Struve is getting someone not ranked to try and get a win.

de Lima vs Struve Tale of the Tape

The UFC is giving de Lima a step up in competition when he takes on Struve in the co-main event, and ultimately, I see de Lima not being able to capitalize. Struve has beaten the likes of Stipe Miocic and “Big Nog” and when he fights a fighter not in the top-15, Struve wins.

Struve will continue to be a gatekeeper in the UFC and fight to see another day.

Pick: Stefan Struve (+105)

The Rest of UFC Fight Night 145 Card