Holm vs. de Randemie – The Battle in Brooklyn

The streak lives on! We’re now on a six-bet win streak in MMA main event’s after underdog Chan Sung Jung won on the weekend at UFC Fight Night 104. Read on to find out our tip for UFC 208 – Holly Holm vs. Germaine de Randamie.

Holly Holm vs. Germaine de Randamie

Female athletes and fight fans rejoice as the UFC finally opens its doors to the 145lb women’s featherweight division. It marks the first time since 2012 in which the UFC have created another division, and this one starts with a bang as Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie battle it out over five rounds for the inaugural Women’s Featherweight Championship.

The creation of the division caused a stir as almost everyone predicted that a championship fight at 145lb would involve Cris Cyborg, who is unquestionably the greatest 145lb female fighter in mixed martial arts. After Cyborg reportedly refused to fight at UFC 208 in Brooklyn, Dana White went ahead and booked the championship bout between Holm and de Randamie.

Holly Holm is most recognisable for her part in bringing down Ronda Rousey. Holm shocked the world when she knocked out Rousey with a brilliant head kick after dominating her with sharp angles, clinch escapes and range at UFC 193 in Melbourne. For Holm, this was supposed to be the start of a new beginning, and what should have been a lengthy reign at the top of the women’s bantamweight division. It was not the case though as she lost to Miesha Tate late in the last round of a gruelling five-round battle at UFC 196 and then went on to lose to current #1 women’s bantamweight contender, Valentina Shevchenko.

Holm, who entered the UFC as a 19-time world champion in boxing, possesses a unique striking advantage over most of her opponent’s and has landed 98.8% of her strikes when standing in the UFC. Her boxing experience plays a huge factor inside the cage as she utilises her elite footwork and angles to keep opponent’s away and set up her counter striking. Although viewed as a boxer, Holm’s kicks are now one of her strongest weapons, and she uses these as both a defensive and offensive tool by keeping an opponent away with side-kicks or kicks to the body and head after breaking from the clinch.

Germaine de Randamie has been flying under the radar, partly due to how much attention Holly Holm brings as the Rousey-destroyer. de Randamie has a super-impressive 46-0 record in professional Muay Thai and is an elite striker. Like Holm, de Randamie does all her damage on when standing up, with 100% of her strikes landed in the UFC while standing. de Randamie, almost surprisingly, has a reach and height advantage over Holm who was often the longer fighter in the bantamweight division. De Randamie’s straight right hand is accurate and consistent as she renders all of her energy into a powerful and lunging weapon that can be used from all circumstances, considering her great balance. When not at range, de Randamie will look to beat her opponent’s up in the clinch game, as well, using Thai methods to break down opponent’s physically and mentally against the cage.

Preview and Prediction

This fight is an example of excellent matchmaking by the UFC, and the bookmakers mostly agree with the championship battle viewed as even across most sites. However, there are many keys to victory that I can see playing out for Holly Holm in this one and I’ll be backing Holm to win.

Holm’s elite clinch escapes will be one of the leading causes of concern for de Randamie. Holm has the strength, with her strong legs and base, and clinch technique to push opponent’s away and create space easily. After disengaging from the clinch, Holm viciously kicks her opponent as well. Holm will look to punish de Randamie’s attempts at clinching and will possess the faster footwork and angle creation to keep de Randamie away.

Secondly, although de Randamie has a slight reach advantage, it’s Holly Holm’s kicks that will be the major separating factor in this fight. Holm has a powerful side kick that is used to keep her opponent at a distance, and this will likely lead to de Randamie having to reconsider being the aggressor in this fight.

A Holm win has plenty of value and I’m also backing the fight to not go the distance as both of these fighters will be relentless on their feet.

Tip

Holly Holm to Win
Sunday 12th February, 05:00 GMT
Odds: 2.05Bet €100 to win €20521/20Bet £100 to win £205+105Bet $100 to win $2051.05Bet HK$100 to win HK$2051.05Bet Rp100 to win Rp205-0.9524Bet RM100 to win RM205  –  Ladbrokes

Total Rounds – Under 4.5
Sunday 12th February, 05:00 GMT
Odds: 2.10Bet €100 to win €21011/10Bet £100 to win £210+110Bet $100 to win $2101.10Bet HK$100 to win HK$2101.10Bet Rp100 to win Rp210-0.9091Bet RM100 to win RM210  –  BetVictor