UFC Fight Night Cannonier vs Imavov Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Back Cannonier as Main Event Underdog

Jared Cannonier is facing off against Nassourdine Imavov in the main event for UFC Fight Night betting on Saturday.

This should be a fun stand-up battle between Top-10 middleweights, and it's expected to be a competitive bout with UFC odds installing Imavov as a slim -125 favorite and Cannonier coming back at +105. 

Here are my best free UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov predictions for June 8 from Louisville, Kentucky.  

Cannonier vs Imavov prediction and pick

• My fight prediction
  Cannonier ML (+105 at BET99)
  
  
• My best bet
  Cannonier ML (+105 at BET99)

Fight analysis

Nassourdine Imavov is a sniper who likes to stay on the outside and rely on his footwork to pick apart his foes. However, Cannonier has a massive 77.5-inch reach and he's familiar with facing an elite distance striker after challenging Israel Adesanya for the belt two years ago. 

Although Cannonier lost to Adesanya, it was a competitive bout and his only defeat in his last five fights. It also gave him the experience he'll need to cut off the cage and close distance against Imavov. 

Imavov has crisp kickboxing but he doesn't have the power of Cannonier and there have been times when he has struggled with his cardio. While the 29-year-old Russian is generally in shape, he's had issues with how he paces himself in fights, and that could lead to him gassing out against the patience and pressure of Cannonier. 

While Imavov possesses strong takedown defense, he has been bullied in the clinch and against the cage by more powerful guys, and Cannonier is a former heavyweight with the strength to control him in those positions. 

Cannonier has only lost to the cream of the crop at 185 pounds and he's also picked up wins against highly-ranked middleweights like Marvin Vettori, Sean Strickland, and Jack Hermansson. On the other hand, this is Imavov's second bout against a Top-10 fighter, and he came up short in his first real test when he faced Strickland last year.

With Cannonier's power, volume, and experience, expect Imavov to come up short again.

Best best analysis

The main reason that Cannonier is a small underdog in this bout is because he's 40 years old. However, Cannonier had a relatively late start to his MMA career and hasn't absorbed a ton of damage. He also fought just a year ago and proved that his physical traits haven't declined when he prevailed over Vettori in a 25-minute Fight of the Night bout.

Until I see Cannonier's speed or durability fade, I have a tough time betting against him with a fighter like Imavov. 

Cannonier vs Imavov odds

Method of Victory	Jared Cannonier	Nassourdine Imavov
To win outright	+105	-125
To win by KO/TKO	+405	+365
To win by points	+230	+225
To win by submission	+2,000	+900
Draw	+2,500	+2,500

Odds as of 6-5.

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Cannonier vs Imavov tale of the tape

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