UFC 172: The moneymaking banker bet for Jones v Teixeira

If listening to UFC hall of famer Chuck Liddell, not only will a new light-heavyweight champion be crowned at UFC 172, but current title holder Jon Jones will be stopped inside three rounds.

Punters in agreement with the Iceman may find any of the following bets profitable as Glover Teixeira attempts to extend an undefeated MMA record that stretches back 20 fights to 2006.

Teixeira winning inside the distance can be backed at 5/1, the fight being over in under 3.5 rounds is available at 8/13 or the finish being achieved by knockout or submission is 4/11.

There is no doubting that the heavy-hitting Brazilian has the power to cause Jones problems and the ju-jitsu abilities to inflict damage if gaining a dominant position on the mat.

Not that disagreeing with a UFC legend is a smart idea, but it is a Jones victory inside three rounds that seems the most logical result, despite the billing that Teixeira is the champ’s most dangerous opponent to date.

Jones has already made six successful light-heavyweight title defences, which is the most in UFC history, but he was arguably fortunate to maintain last time when only truly getting on top of Alexander Gustafsson in the championship rounds.

What Gustafsson had was a reach similar to Jones and a strategy to throw combinations to keep the champ off guard.

Teixeira is giving up over eight inches in reach, is more predictable with his punches in the sense that he tends to simply walk down opponents and lacks the speed present in former challengers in Jones’ reign.

There is no doubting that he hits as hard as anyone Jones has previously faced and has the one-punch power to end the bout.

But, Jones is the master at maintaining distance, landing leg-kicks to wear down opponents and setting up successful takedown opportunities.

With Teixeira also never previously having fought beyond five rounds and unlikely to be given too much of a rest by a busy Jones, there has to be little chance of this going the distance.

Therefore, the 1/3 on offer for the fight being settled before the final bell is bordering on bet of the century territory.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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