Editor's note: This fight has been removed from the UFC 257 card after Azaitar was cut from the promotion following a "recent violation of the health and safety protocols” put in place to combat COVID-19. Frevola will instead face Arman Tsarukyan on the preliminary card after Tsarukyan's previously scheduled opponent Nasrat Haqparast dropped out due to illness.
While Poirier vs. MacGregor II and Hooker vs. Chandler are the biggest fights on the UFC 257 betting card, there's another lightweight bout that could steal the show with Matt Frevola facing off against Ottman Azaitar.
UFC odds for this fight opened at close to a pick'em with Azaitar installed as a -115 favorite but that line has moved to -168, with Frevola now a +136 underdog.
We break down the UFC betting odds for this lightweight battle and give our best picks and predictions for Frevola vs. Azaitar at UFC 257 on Saturday, January 23.
Frevola vs Azaitar Fight Odds
| Method of Victory | Matt Frevola | Ottman Azaitar |
|---|---|---|
| Win Outright | +136 | -168 |
| Win by KO/TKO | +500 | +135 |
| Win by Points | +440 | +430 |
| Win by Submission | +600 | +1,400 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Frevola vs Azaitar Betting Preview
Matt "Steamrolla" Frevola is coming off back-to-back wins over Luis Pena and Jalin Turner but hasn't fought in 15 months. He is 8-1-1 in his career, including 2-1-1 at the UFC level.
With a background in wrestling and BJJ, Frevola is a strong grappler who is relentless with his takedowns. He's been less impressive on his feet with obvious holes in his striking.
Ottman "Bulldozer" Azaitar comes into this fight with an undefeated record of 13-0, including two wins under the UFC banner.
In his most recent bout, Azaitar knocked out Khama Worthy within the first two minutes, following up on a first-round finish of Teemu Packalén in his UFC debut in 2019.
The 30-year-old is a fantastic striker with power and explosiveness. Of his 13 career wins, 12 have come by stoppage, including 10 within the first round.
Frevola vs Azaitar Tale of the Tape
| Matt Frevola | Ottman Azaitar | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Age | 30 |
| 5-foot-9 | Height | 5-foot-8 |
| 155 lbs | Weight | 155 lbs |
| 71 inches | Reach | 71 inches |
| 8-1-1 (1 KO) | Record | 13-0-0 (10 KO) |
Frevola vs Azaitar UFC Prediction and Betting Pick
PREDICTION: Azaitar by KO/TKO +135 - It's worth noting that Frevola was a slight underdog in both of his previous fights against superior strikers in Turner and "Violent Bob Ross." And he managed to use his wrestling to grind out decision victories on both occasions.
That said, Frevola was tagged by both Turner and Pena and was fortunate they weren't loading up their strikes like Azaitar does. In Frevola's previous two UFC fights, against Lando Vannatahe and Marco Polo Reyes, he also ate some big shots and was knocked out by Reyes in the first round.
Besides having the name Marco Polo, Reyes is best known as a guy who appears on other fighter's highlight videos, and his win against Frevola was the only fight in his last five where he wasn't starched himself.
If he got dummied against Reyes, Frevola could have lots of problems against Azaitar, who is on another level when it comes to hand speed, technique and explosiveness. If Frevola can get his hands on Azaitar he could drag this fight to the mat, but he will absorb plenty of punishment when shooting for takedowns and he doesn't have the stand-up for Azaitar to respect his striking.
Although both of Azaitar's UFC foes were middling opponents, he knocked out both fighters in under four minutes—which is impressive no matter who you're facing in the Octagon. Look for Azaitar to rack up another stoppage win and continue his ascent in the lightweight division.
Where Can I Bet on UFC Odds?
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