UFC 282 Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev Picks, Predictions, Odds

The final UFC PPV event of the year will take place this weekend. The vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship will be up for grabs in the main event when former title holder Jan Blachowicz takes on Magomed Ankalaev.

This will be Ankalaev's first title fight in the UFC, and he is hoping to call himself champion for the first time. UFC 282 Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2022, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

The prelims for this promotion will start at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+, while the main card will get underway exclusively on PPV right at 10 p.m. ET.

UFC 282 Best Bets & Analysis

I've isolated three matchups on the UFC 282 and I'm expecting fireworks in Las Vegas come Saturday night.

UFC 282: Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev Picks

Light Heavyweight Championship
Jan Błachowicz +240 vs. Magomed Ankalaev -300
Over 2.5 (-138) Under 2.5 (+100)

We were initially supposed to see Jiri Prochazka defend the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Glover Teixeira at UFC 282. Unfortunately, Prochazka was forced to vacate the title two weeks ago after injuring his shoulder to the extent that he needed surgery and a long rehab period. Teixeira was given the opportunity to fight Magomed Ankalaev, but he passed on the bout, leading to the UFC bringing in Jan Blachowicz for a totally different title fight.

Ankalaev is a substantial favorite by the UFC betting odds. He is 18-1 in his professional MMA career, and he has won nine straight fights in the UFC since falling in his promotion debut. Ankalaev was forced to tap out with one second left in his lone loss, and he was on pace to win a unanimous decision before slipping up. His strikes pack a lot of power, giving him the edge even though he is at a three-inch reach disadvantage. Ankalaev has a two-inch edge with his leg reach though, and he does not present his opponents with many takedown opportunities.

Blachowicz won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship over Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 in September 2020. He successfully defended the title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 259 last March, but he had a natural size advantage since Adesanya was moving up from middleweight. Teixeira showed what another light heavyweight could do against him last Halloween, scoring a submission in the second round over Blachowicz. The former title holder has had an up-and-down time in the UFC, but Ankalaev looks to be nigh unstoppable at this point and should be able to get the finish inside the distance.

Best Bet: Magomed Ankalaev to Win Inside Distance (+105)

UFC 282: Jan Blachowicz vs Magomed Ankalaev Best Bets

UFC 282: Paddy Pimblett vs. Jared Gordon Picks

Lightweight Bout
Paddy Pimblett -275 vs. Jared Gordon +225
Over 2.5 (+110) Under 2.5 (-150)

Since moving to the UFC from Cage Warriors, Paddy Pimblett has been dominant. Pimblett has won his first three fights in the UFC, earning Performance of the Night bonuses with each victory. You could make an argument that he has been treated with kid gloves giving the quality of his opponents, and along those lines, Jared Gordon isn't the toughest foe he could take on in the co-main event.

Gordon is 7-4 in the UFC, and he has yet to score a marquee win. He was absolutely dominated by Charles Oliveira in his highest profile fight, and he doesn't inspire a lot of confidence with his fighting style. Six of his seven wins have come by decision, while he is just 1-4 in matches that don't go the distance. That makes Pimblett the pick to get the finish.

Best Bet: Paddy Pimblett to Win Inside Distance (-110)

UFC 282: Paddy Pimblett vs Jared Gordon Best Bets

UFC 282: Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Chris Daukaus Picks

Heavyweight Bout:
Jairzinho Rozenstruik -170 vs. Chris Daukaus +140
Over 1.5 (+120) Under 1.5 (-163)

This fight will take place during the prelims of UFC 282, but it has the potential to be one of the most exciting fights of the night. Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Chris Daukaus are both ranked fighters in the heavyweight division, and both fighters go for quick knockouts. Rozenstruik has seen 13 of his 16 fights end in a knockout, while 15 of Daukaus' 17 fights have resulted in a KO.

These heavyweights aren't much for grappling and will look to stand and trade throughout the bout. That makes it highly unlikely this fight lasts more than two rounds. Rozenstruik is a moderate favorite since he has a two-inch reach advantage, but the better bet is for this fight to not go the distance.

Best Bet: Under 1.5 Rounds (-163)

UFC 282 Schedule & Odds

UFC 282 Main Card

PPV, 10:00 p.m. ET

Light Heavyweight Championship
Jan Błachowicz +240 vs. Magomed Ankalaev -300

Lightweight Bout
Paddy Pimblett -275 vs. Jared Gordon +225

Catchweight Bout (180lb):
Santiago Ponzinibbio -175 vs. Alex Morono +150

Middleweight Bout:
Darren Till +150 vs. Dricus du Plessis -175

Featherweight Bout:
Bryce Mitchell +137 vs. Ilia Topuria -163

UFC 282 Preliminary Card

ESPN2/ESPN+, 8:00 p.m. ET

Bantamweight Bout:
Raul Rosas Jr. -250 vs. Jay Perrin +200

Heavyweight Bout:
Jairzinho Rozenstruik -170 vs. Chris Daukaus +140

Middleweight Bout:
Edmen Shahbazyan -300 vs. Dalcha Lungiambula +240

Middleweight Bout:
Chris Curtis +140 vs. Joaquin Buckley -170

UFC 282 Early Preliminary Card

ESPN+, 6:00 p.m. ET

Featherweight Bout:
Billy Quarantillo -170 vs. Alexander Hernandez +140

Featherweight Bout:
T.J. Brown -105 vs. Erik Silva -115

Flyweight Bout:
Vinicius Salvador -250 vs. Daniel da Silva +200

Bantamweight Bout:
Cameron Saaiman -400 vs. Steven Koslow +300

Odds Subject to Change