Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn Prediction: Finding Value In Bo Nickal at UFC 290
Bo Nickal will go up against Val Woodburn at UFC 290 to kick off the main card. UFC expert Ben Rajavuori has found value in Bo Nickal at UFC 290. Read on to see what his pick is for this bout.
Ben Rajavuori - July 7, 2023, 5:45 PM EDT
5 minBo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn Prediction: Finding Value In Bo Nickal at UFC 290
This may be one of the shortest articles I have ever written. Just like this article, this fight should be short. Bo Nickal is the hottest prospect to grace the UFC since Conor McGregor and for good reason. Nickal is a world-class wrestler turned MMA fighter, and at -3000, he is the highest favorite ever in UFC history.
Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn UFC 290 Start Time and Where to Watch
When: Saturday, July 8, 2023
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Where to Watch: PPV
Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn Prediction
Obviously, Nickal is going to win. Yes, this is the UFC, and Woodburn has a puncher's chance, but that chance is maybe .05%. I watched about ten minutes worth of tape on Woodburn, and all I can say is he will be taken down within the first 15 seconds of this fight. His wrestling is not good. I watched a clip of him fighting Todd Coppinger on the regional scene where he had both hooks in against the fence and proceeded to get reversed and nearly taken down himself. That was against a non-wrestler in the regional scene. Now, he is facing one of the best wrestlers in the world in the UFC.
This is a setup for Nickal, and Woodburn is essentially a sacrifice. I do actually like the UFC doing this, though. Nickal is still only four fights into his professional MMA career, so it is smart not to rush him into the top 15 too quickly. Enter Val Woodburn.
Nickal is -3000 to win, providing absolutely zero value on him, even in a parlay. However, Nickal is just -160 to win in round one by submission. Nickal could win this by ground and pound, but I think it's a submission. I wasn't kidding when I said Nickal will take him down in the first 15 seconds, and from there, he has 4:45 to find a submission. He is light years ahead of Woodburn, even four fights into his professional MMA career. -160 on the round one submission is pretty good value, and that's where I'm going for this fight. It's -200 on DraftKings right now, so make sure you head to FanDuel.
Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn Pick
Pick: Bo Nickal Wins in Round One by Submission -160 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
UFC Odds
