UFC Fight Night 153: Gustafsson vs Smith Odds

• Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Smith are coming off losses to Jon Jones
• Gustafsson will be fighting in his home country
• See the odds for the rest of the main card at UFC Fight Night 153

The Octagon returns to Sweden on Saturday, June 1st for UFC Fight Night 153. In the main event, Alexander Gustafsson will take on Anthony Smith in a fight where little is on the line — more on that later. While in the co-main event, it’s another light heavyweight fight between Volkan Oezdemir taking on Ilir Latifi.

UFC Fight Night 153 airs in its entirety on ESPN+ with the prelims on at 10:00 a.m. ET and the main card on at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Smith Odds

All odds taken 05/26/19.

Fight Record and Recent History

Gustafsson (18-5) is coming off of a TKO loss to Jon Jones at UFC 232, where the Swede lost a fight for the belt for the third time in his career. Before the loss to Jones, he beat Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz to get the title shot.

Gustafsson has never been able to win the big fight, as he lost to Jones for the title at UFC 165, then lost to Anthony Johnson in a title elimantor bout, and then lost to Daniel Cormier for another crack at the title. Ultimately, he does hold wins over the likes of Jimi Manuwa, Shogun Rua, and Thiago Silva, among others.

Smith has looked much better at light heavyweight. As at middleweight he was a “gatekeeper” and was never able to crack the upper echelon.

Smith (31-14), like Gustafsson, is coming off of a loss to Jon Jones at UFC 235 where it was his first title fight. Before that, he submitted Volkan Oezdemir and knocked out Shogun Rua and Rashad Evans in his first three fights in the light heavyweight division. He has looked much better at light heavyweight. As at middleweight he was a “gatekeeper” and was never able to crack the upper echelon on the division.

Gustafsson vs Smith Tale of the Tape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whob7G7u2vQ

This is a very intriguing fight, but not much is on the line. Jones thoroughly beat both Gustafsson, who is now 0-2, and Smith earlier this year. So, the winner would most likely not get another shot at the title, so it may just be a fight about keeping them active.

Although the fight doesn’t make much sense, it is a fantastic matchup. Both Gustafsson and Smith are equally good on the ground and both have shown the ability to knock people out. But, where I think will be the difference is in Gustafsson’s jab, he will be able to pick apart Smith and win the rounds and could very well finish the fight. Add in the fact that he is fighting at home and will have the crowd behind him, it will be a good night for the Swede.

Pick: Gustafsson (-300)

Volkan Oezdemir vs Ilir Latifi Odds

Fight Record and Recent History

Oezdemir (15-4) is riding a three-fight losing streak dating back to UFC 220 in January 2018. There, he lost to Daniel Cormier in his only shot for the title. He then lost to Anthony Smith later that year, and in controversial fashion lost to Dominick Reyes at UFC London. When it went to the scorecards, many believed Oezdemir did enough to win the fight, but he ended up losing by split-decision. Before that, he has wins over the likes of Jimi Manuwa, Ovince Saint Preux, and Misha Cirkunov.

Latifi (14-6 and one no-contest), is coming off of a decision loss to Corey Anderson at UFC 232 to snap his winning streak at two. Before the loss, the Swede beat Saint Preux and Tyson Pedro. He also has notable wins over the likes of Sean O’Connell, Chris Dempsey, and Gian Villante.

Oezdemir vs Latifi Tale of the Tape

Although Latifi will have the home crowd behind him, I really like Oezdemir in this fight. He showed his striking is still at a high-level against Reyes, and I believe he will be able to pick apart Latifi.

He needs to keep him at range, and if the fight should go to the mat, I think Latifi may have a slight advantage there. However, I believe this fight will stay on the feet and Oezdemir will coast to a decision win to get back into the win column.

Pick: Oezdemir (-120)

The Rest of UFC Fight Night 153 Main Card