Bellator 224 Odds & Picks: Budd vs Rubin & Main Card

• Julia Budd puts her featherweight title on the line at Bellator 224
• Prospect Ed Ruth returns
• See the odds and picks for the entire main card

Bellator is back this Friday, July 12th at 9:00 p.m. ET from Thackerville, Oklahoma. The main event sees featherweight champion Julia Budd look to defend her title as she takes on undefeated Olga Rubin. The card also features former middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho taking on Chidi Njokuani, while welterweight prospect Ed Ruth also returns.

Julia Budd vs Olga Rubin Odds

*All odds taken 07/10/19

Who’s Winning Streak Will End?

Julia Budd (12-2) is riding a 10-fight winning streak and has defended the Bellator Featherweight title twice after winning the inaugural belt in 2017. The Canadian has fought in Strikeforce, Invicta, and Bellator where her only two losses are from a 14-second KO loss to Amanda Nunes and a submission loss to Ronda Rousey. She also holds a win over Germaine de Randamie, who is headlining the UFC card this weekend.

Rubin (6-0) is coming off of a decision win over Iony Razafiarsion. She also holds wins over Cindy Dandois, Joanna Filipa, and Laurita Likker-Cibirite, among others. Of her six wins, two have come by finish, both via ground and pound TKO, while the other four have come by decision.

Julia Budd vs Olga Rubin Tale of the Tape

Julia Budd will no doubt have the advantage in this fight. She is the better striker and has more power. She has also fought tougher competition and beaten tougher opponents. However, there is something going for Rubin as she trains with former UFC fighter Brad Pickett, who has taken her under his wing. He knows how to break down opponents and fights very well, so she will have a solid game plan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux4DYLgfz6Q

But, I don’t see it being enough as Budd is one of the best featherweights on the planet. I think this fight goes into the third or fourth and Budd scores a TKO, but Rubin has proven she can take a punch so it wouldn’t be surprising to see it go the distance.

Pick: Julia Budd (-300)

Rafael Carvalho vs Chidi Njokuani Odds

This will be a really close and entertaining fight and the odds reflect that. Carvalho is the former middleweight champion before losing to Gegard Mousasi in 2018. And in his last fight lost a split-decision to Lyoto Machida.

Njokuani, meanwhile, is coming off of a loss to John Salter. This fight will no doubt stay standing as they both have knockout power, but Carvalho’s standup is just a tad bit better and he gets it done here by decision.

Pick: Rafael Carvalho (-115)

Juliana Velasquez vs Kristina Williams Odds

With a win here, Juliana Velasquez will no doubt be fighting Ilima Lei-MacFarlane next for the flyweight title. This is most likely a number one contender bout, and a fight that Velasquez has the advantage wherever the fight goes. She has the jiu-jitsu skills to submit girls, while also having KO power.

Williams will look to keep the distance and away from the power shots and takedowns.

Williams, meanwhile, will look to keep the distance and away from the power shots and takedowns. I see Velasquez being able to close the distance and piecing up Williams for three rounds and winning a unanimous decision.

Pick: Juliana Velasquez (-220)

Ed Ruth vs Kiichi Kunimoto Odds

To many, Ed Ruth was the darkhorse to win the Welterweight Grand Prix, but he lost in the first round by submission to Neiman Gracie. Now, Bellator has given him a fight he will win as he will use his wrestling and simply dominate this fight from the get-go. He will take Kunimoto down and ground and pound him until he gets a TKO win, or he gives up his back and Ruth submits him.

Pick: Ed Ruth (-220)