Brian Ortega opens as betting favourite against Ilia Topuria

28 February 2024

Brian Ortega's triumphant return to the Octagon has sparked speculation about his potential shortcut to featherweight contention, following a sensational victory over Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City this past Saturday. Despite a 19-month layoff and battling through a freak ankle injury, Ortega showcased his resilience, securing a third-round submission win with an arm-triangle choke.

But the question remains: has Ortega punched his ticket to a title shot? According to opening odds released by BetOnline, Ortega emerges as the betting favorite to be the opponent for Ilia Topuria's first defense of his UFC title.

Ortega's odds opened at +150, indicating that a $100 bet could yield $150 in winnings if he secures the fight against Topuria. Close behind Ortega in the odds is former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (+200), who Topuria defeated to claim the belt. Other contenders vying for the opportunity include Movsar Evloev (+425), Max Holloway (+600), and Yair Rodriguez (+900). Notably, former two-division champ Conor McGregor also makes an appearance as a longshot pick, with odds set at +2500.

Topuria's anticipated title defense is projected to occur in the latter half of 2024, potentially in his native Spain, where he enjoys widespread popularity.

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As the speculation intensifies and betting odds fluctuate, fight fans eagerly await official announcements regarding Topuria's next opponent. With Ortega emerging as the favored contender, anticipation builds for a potential showdown that could solidify his position as a featherweight title challenger.