UFC Tampa Odds, Prediction: Michael Johnson vs. Ottman Azaitar
The 38-year-old Michael Johnson is coming off a three-round unanimous decision win over Darrius Flowers 10 months ago at UFC Vegas 86, marking just his third victory in nine octagon appearances. Ottman Azaitar enjoyed a sensational UFC debut, claiming knockout wins inside five minutes over Teemu Packalén and Khama Worthy while claiming Performance of the Night bonuses in his first two octagon appearances but has followed up with back-to-back first-round knockout defeats, capped by a TKO loss just 4:05 into his date with Francisco Prado in his most recent clash at UFC Vegas 77 in July 2023.
Johnson is set to enter the octagon as a -225 favourite on the UFC Tampa odds. Azaitar lags as a +180 underdog with the odds of this fight going the distance pegged at +165.
Michael Johnson UFC Tampa Odds
Michael Johnson left little doubt as to the result in his lone previous fight this year. “The Menace” dominated from start to finish to easily claim the unanimous decision over Darrius Flowers, out-striking the 30-year-old American by a wide 61-33 margin and recording over six minutes of control time on four takedowns.
That continues an increasingly steady run that has seen Johnson out-strike opponents in six of seven fights and suffer some hard luck with two of his recent defeats coming by split or majority decision. Johnson also leads all active UFC lightweight fighters with 11 career knockdowns but has failed to drop an opponent to the mat in his past three fights.
Ottman Azaitar UFC Tampa Odds
The highs have been high, and the lows have been low for Ottman Azaitar in his UFC debut. The 34-year-old German needed just a combined 5:06 to finish his first two UFC opponents with knockout punches but received a rude awakening while suffering first-round knockouts in his two most recent fights, leaving UFC betting fans wondering which version of the “Bulldozer” will show up at Amalie Arena on Saturday night.
Azaitar was badly outclassed last time out, absorbing 38 significant strikes in just over four minutes in a KO loss to Francisco Prado that marks his second straight defeat after starting his pro MMA career with 13 straight victories including 10 wins inside five minutes. The former Brave CF lightweight champion has gained a reputation as a fierce power puncher with 10 of his career wins coming on punches. He also recorded a pair of submission wins early in his career but has yet to record a takedown in his four UFC outings.
UFC Tampa Prediction: Michael Johnson vs Ottman Azaitar
With almost no experience in fights going the distance, Azaitar’s best chance for the win on Saturday will come in the first five minutes. However, the longer this fight goes on, the more it will favour Johnson, who seen 18 of 41 career fights get settled by the judges and has not suffered a first-round loss in over 13 years.
A value wager on a first-round finish by Azaitar pays out on lucrative +550 odds but it much more likely that the wily Johnson will drag this out and steadily wear down Azaitar on his way to his second win of 2024.
Prediction: Johnson by KO/TKO or DQ (+125)
