Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci Prediction: UFC Vegas 96 Odds
It’s the UFC Vegas 96 co-main event on Saturday night at UFC Apex. Hill is coming off an impressive second-round submission win over Luana Pinheiro that earned her a Performance of the Night bonus in her last outing at UFC Vegas 92, and has vaulted to No. 9 in the UFC rankings while winning four of her past five fights. Ricci is coming off a split decision victory over Tecia Pennington last spring at UFC St. Louis, and has now earned the win in five of her past six octagon appearances, lifting her to No. 11 in the UFC strawweight rankings.
Ricci is listed as a slim -125 favourite on the UFC Vegas96 odds. Hill trails as a +105 bet while the odds of this contest going a full three rounds are pegged at a short -450.
Angela Hill Odds
Angela Hill’s recent submission victory over Luana Pinheiro marked the first time she has finished an opponent since claiming a TKO win over Hannah Cifers at UFC Fight Night 166 way back in January 2020. “Overkill” has struggled to produce consistent in 12 contests since, going 6-6 with 11 of those fights getting decided by the judges. The all-time leader among UFC women’s strawweights with 11 wins, Hill is among the best ever in the division with a significant strike accuracy of 50.5% and has also executed seven total takedowns during her current two-fight win streak. The 39-year-old American has not only demonstrated her ability to go deep, but is also capable of matching opponents both standing and on the mat. However, staying on her fight has been a concern at times, with opponents recording nine total takedowns over her past six fights.
Tabatha Ricci Odds
A heartbreak split decision loss to Loopy Godinez at UFC 295 represents the only blemish on Ricci’s record over her past six fights. The 29-year-old Brazilian has otherwise been steady, consistently outstriking opponents during her 5-1 run that has featured four wins by decision one victory by tap out. In addition to averaging 4.28 significant strikes landed per minute, Ricci also averages 2.99 takedowns per 15 minutes. However, she also absorbs a lot of punishment with opponents landing 4.94 significant strikes per minute. However, as she proved in her recent narrow win over Pennington, Ricci can take the abuse and turn the tables on opponents with level changes, and has averaged almost five minutes of control time over her past six fights.
UFC 305 Prediction: Angela Hill vs Tabatha Ricci
It is unwise to underestimate a wily veteran like Angela Hill, who has never been knocked out in 30 career MMA fights. However, Ricci’s versatility and ability to change levels gives her a clear advantage. Finishing Hill is a tall order, but Ricci is well positioned to earn the nod from the judges it what should be a leading candidate for Fight of the Night honours.
Tabatha Ricci by decision/technical decision (+125)
