UFC 298 Hernandez vs Kopylov Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Fluffy is Sharp on Saturday

The No. 15-ranked middleweight, Anthony Hernandez, takes on unranked challenger Roman Kopylov to kick off tonight's UFC 298 main card from the Honda Center in Anaheim.

UFC odds have Hernandez as a large betting favorite at -240, while Kopylov returns at +200.

Here are my free betting picks for Hernandez vs. Kopylov at this UFC event in Anaheim.

Anthony Hernandez vs Roman Kopylov fight odds

Method of Victory	Hernandez	Kopylov
To win outright	-245	+190
To win by KO/TKO	+400	+335
To win by points	+305	+725
To win by submission	+180	+2,900
Draw	+2,500	+2,500

Odds courtesy of Bet99 on February 17, 2024.

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Hernandez vs Kopylov picks

Fight prediction: Anthony Hernandez moneyline

Anthony Hernandez made a name for himself when he won the vacant LFA Middleweight Championship over Brendan Allen, the latter of whom is now in the title conversation in the UFC’s middleweight division. Since that victory, Hernandez has had a few bumps on the road with losses to Markus Perez in his UFC debut and then losing just two fights later to Kevin Holland.

However, he appears to be back on the track as Hernandez has rattled off four straight victories, three of which came inside the distance. This recent success is why he is such a heavy favorite, but recency bias is still not the only reason for this line as Roman Kopylov has also put together four straight wins, albeit against comparatively weaker competition.

There’s just much more to like about Hernandez in this spot. His resume is more impressive, he is a more accurate striker, has a better chin and is a bigger threat on the mat.

Prediction: Anthony Hernandez moneyline (-245 at Bet99)

Fight best bet: Anthony Hernandez by submission

We can knock down Hernandez’s moneyline down significantly if we take him to win by submission, and I think that is Hernandez’s clearest path to victory in this scrap. Hernandez is the bigger threat on the mat due to his black belt in Marinoble’s MMA System and brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

That is not to say that Kopylov is incompetent on the mat, as he does have a combat sambo background. However, there is a reason why Hernandez has seven submission victories compared to Kopylov’s one.

The most impressive submission by Hernandez was his win over Rodolfo Vieira with an arm-in guillotine choke at UFC 258. Vieira is a four-time world champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and considered one of the best pound-for-pound grapplers in the world.

If Hernandez can submit Vieira then he can submit anyone, including Kopylov, who lost to Karl Roberson by submission just a few years ago.

Pick: Anthony Hernandez by submission (+180 at Bet99)

Hernandez vs Kopylov betting preview

There’s just a lot more to like about Hernandez in this fight than Kopylov, which is why he’s such a big favorite. Hernandez a is younger, more accurate striker with a better chin and is a much bigger threat on the mat.

Both guys are in good form, although Hernandez’s resume is far more impressive than Kopylov’s thus far. The former has now won three straight fights, all of which were as a sizable betting favorite.

On the other hand, Kopylov is 1-2 in his last three fights when priced as the underdog. I expect Hernandez to blitz Kopylov with takedown attempts on Saturday night, eventually landing one and securing a submission victory.

He may have to eat some damage before then, but Hernandez’s iron chin should keep this fight in his favor.

Anthony Hernandez vs Roman Kopylov tale of the tape

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