Omari Akhmedov vs. Brad Tavares is on the early prelims for a loaded UFC 264 betting card on Saturday, July 10.
This should be a war between a pair of ranked middleweights and it's a testament to the depth of this event that this bout couldn't even crack the main card. UFC betting lines have Tavares installed as a -176 favorite while Akhmedov comes back at +138.
Here are our best free Akhmedov vs. Tavares picks and predictions for UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Akhmedov vs Tavares fight odds
| Method of Victory | Omari Akhmedov | Brad Tavares |
|---|---|---|
| Win Outright | +138 | -176 |
| Win by KO/TKO | +850 | +420 |
| Win by Points | +280 | +135 |
| Win by Submission | +1,100 | +1,100 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook on July 8, 2021.
Akhmedov vs Tavares betting preview
Omari "Wolverine" Akhmedov is the No. 13-ranked middleweight contender, and in his most recent fight in January, controlled Tom Breese on the ground en route to a second-round submission victory. He's 5-1-1 in his last seven fights, with the lone defeat coming against Chris Weidman last year and the draw versus Marvin Vettori in 2017.
Hailing from Dagestan (home of Khabib Nurmagomedov), Akhmedov is a pressure fighter that wears down opponents with his takedowns and relentless wrestling.
Brad Tavares is No. 15 in the middleweight rankings and is fresh off a unanimous decision win against Antonio Carlos Junior in February. That victory allowed him to snap a two-fight losing skid against Edmen Shahbazyan and Israel Adesanya.
A long-time UFC veteran, Tavares is 13-6 in the octagon and many of his losses have come against the division's best fighters like Adesanya, Yoel Romero, and Robert Whittaker. The 33-year-old is primarily a striker and sets up his combinations with strong leg kicks and jabs.
Akhmedov vs Tavares tale of the tape
| Omari Akhmedov | Brad Tavares | |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Age | 33 |
| 6-foot-0 | Height | 6-foot-1 |
| 186 lbs | Weight | 185 lbs |
| 73 inches | Reach | 74 inches |
| 21-5-1 (7 KO) | Record | 18-6 (5 KO) |
Akhmedov vs Tavares UFC prediction and betting pick
PREDICTION: - Tavares by decision (+135) - Akhmedov has strong offensive wrestling but Tavares does a good job of defending against takedowns and is very effective at fighting on the outside. He also has a better gas tank than Akhmedov, who has a tendency to slow down in the third round after trying to push the pace in the opening rounds.
Tavares should be able to piece up Akhmedov at range while catching him with elbows and knees in the clinch. That said, Tavares isn't exactly a finisher and 10 of his last 11 wins have come by decision, so back that method of victory prop at plus money.
Where can I bet on UFC odds?
Most online sportsbooks and casinos offer bets on UFC odds and props. While odds to win usually come out as soon as a fight is announced, prop bets become more readily available closer to an event. Check out the best sportsbooks available where you live and see what UFC bets they have available.
