UFC 194 Betting Odds and Predictions

The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, will welcome the fighters of UFC 194 this Saturday. This event will see two titles are on the line at the main event, with featherweight champion Jose Aldo finally going head-to-head with his outspoken rival and interim beltholder Conor McGregor. We’ll also see middleweight champion Chris Weidman take on former Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold.

Preliminary fights will start at 6:30 PM EST/3:30 PM PST, and the PPV Main Card will start at 1010PM EST/7PM PST. Here’s how to watch all the fights, depending on your region.

Check out Sports Interaction’s most recent UFC betting odds right here.

UFC 194 Main Fight Card

Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo

Records: McGregor (18-2-0), Aldo (25-1-0)
Division: Men’s Featherweight
UFC 194 Odds: McGregor -135 Aldo +105
Prediction: Aldo by Submission

This is a very closely matched battle between two men who are historically, very hard to beat. McGregor has done everything humanly possible to get into Aldo’s head, and if he’s succeeded, that could be the difference maker. That said, Aldo is, pound for pound, the better grappler and might be better at staying on his feet. The ground game is a major factor in this fight. McGregor’s only career losses have come via submission, and Aldo will be doing everything he can to get the fight to the ground.

Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold

Records: Weidman (13-0-0), Rockhold (14-2-0)
Division: Men’s Middleweight
UFC 194 Odds: Weidman -160, Rockhold +125
Prediction: Weidman by Decision

Another extremely well-matched fight between an incredible wrestler and an unbelievably powerful striker. Underdog Luke Rockhold is known for his striking, but Weidman is a faster fighter and his technical skills outmatch Rockhold’s. Both can hold their own for the ground game, meaning that this fight will probably go the distance and be very close, but with the overall more technically equipped fighter having the edge.

Yoel Romero vs. Jacare Souza

Records: Romero (10-1-0), Souza (22-3-0)
Division: Men’s Middleweight
UFC 194 Odds: Souza -165, Romero +130
Prediction: Souza by Submission

Jacare Souza is one of the most controlled fighters in the UFC, with so many technical skills that he’ll be very hard for the much looser Yoel Romero to beat. Souza’s remarkable ground skills and crushing strikes have led him to a dominating MMA career. Romero is a great athlete who brings a lot of fire into the Octagon, but against the calculated cool of Souza, it won’t be enough.

Gunnar Nelson vs Demian Maia

Records: Nelson (14-1-1), Maia (21-6-0)
Division: Men’s Welterweight
UFC 194 Odds: Maia -145, Nelson +115
Prediction: Nelson by Decision

If Gunnar Nelson, who is a slight underdog at +115, wants to take this fight, he needs to stay on his feet. Maia will win if it goes to the ground, but if Nelson can keep it a stand-up fight, his impressive defensive skills and a striking advantage could snag him a win by decision.

Max Holloway vs Jeremy Stephens

Records: Holloway (14-3-0), Stephens (24,11-0)
Division: Men’s Featherweight
UFC 194 Odds: Holloway -625, Stephens +400
Prediction: Holloway by Submission

According to the odds, this fight is going to be a blowout in favor of the less experienced Max Holloway. I don’t think it will be as cut and dry, especially if Stephens, who is the more seasoned fighter with good ground game and sharp striking, can turn it into more of a brawl. That said, Holloway is the overall better fighter, and should be able to handle Stephens fairly efficiently.

Full UFC 194 Lineup

MAIN CARD

Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor – for featherweight title
Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold – for middleweight title
Yoel Romero vs. Ronaldo Souza
Demian Maia vs. Gunnar Nelson
Max Holloway vs. Jeremy Stephens

PRELIMINARY CARD

Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Saenz
Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger vs. Tecia Torres
Warlley Alves vs. Colby Covington
Kevin Lee vs. Leonardo Santos

EARLY PRELIMINARY CARD

Magomed Mustafaev vs. Joe Proctor
John Makdessi vs. Yancy Medeiros
Marcio Alexandre Jr. vs. Court McGee