Let’s take a look at our best Jan Blachowicz v Thiago Santos betting tips. We’re in Prague for the latest instalment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship series as UFC Fight Night 145 takes place at the 02 Arena in the Czech Republic on 23 February. Jan Blachowicz and Thiago Santos do battle in the much-anticipated headline act which can be followed live around the world on ESPN as part of the network’s ambitious new partnership with the most exciting brand in Mixed Martial Arts, a deal that has followers looking forward to some big nights in 2019.
The main event goes in the light heavyweight category and promises to be a fascinating contest but, of course, it’s not the only match-up of note on what will be an action-packed evening run at a time that better suits UK viewers.
Chief support comes in the form of Stefan Struve v Marcos Rogerio de Lima at heavyweight; we then have another competitive light heavyweight bout when Gian Villante and Michal Oleksiejczuk go toe-to-toe. The remainder of the official fight card confirmed at this stage pairs Liz Carmouche and Lucie Pudilova in the women’s flyweight category; John Dodson v Petr Yan at bantamweight; Magomed Ankalaev v Klidson Abreu light heavyweight; Veronica Macedo v Gillian Robertson women’s flyweight; Damir Hadzovic v Polo Reyes lightweight; Daniel Teymur v Chris Fishgold featherweight; Carlo Pedersoli Jr v Dwight Grant welterweight and Damir Ismagulov v Joel Alvarez at lightweight.
Attractive Markets
Lots to get through for those who enjoy keeping up to speed with the fast-moving world of MMA and there’s even more for punters to place bets on, bookmakers marking the occasion with a number of attractive betting markets, designed to increase your enjoyment of the night and offer punters the chance to profit from the play.
You can bet on the winner of each fight and throw them together in a steady accumulator, or you may want to take a bit more of a risk for a higher return in the method of victory sphere. Call the winner of your bout of choice and how the victor will land the result – points, knockout or submission. This is more difficult, of course, but the prices paid to those getting it right are impressive, to say the least. Study the form, put in the work and you could land a KO on the bookies.
You don’t have to be an MMA buff to turn a profit from the evening, however, as our team of sports betting experts have done the hard work on your behalf. We’ve studied the facts, figures, form and prices before advising where we think the smart money should go. This allows you more time to enjoy the fights and avoid the hours of research needed to stay one step ahead of the bookies. We love helping our followers win off sports betting and aim to prove it again here.
Let’s pick through the main event…
Pole Prince on a Run
35-year-old Pole Jan Blachowicz arrives at the arena on a strong run of form, but the outcome of this bout will determine what 2019 has in store for him. The Prince of Cieszyn wins this and he’ll catapult himself towards bigger and better things, with a shot at major honours on the line.
Lose it and he’ll see much of his recent work undone, slipping back down the pecking order with the team forced to return to the drawing board and carefully consider where they go from here. He’s at a crossroads, but the fighter has options at hand and the potential to bring back the glory years.
Fighting out of Warszawa, Poland, Blachowicz boasts a strong background in kickboxing and that is evident in his fighting style to this day, with a razor-sharp stand-up game and knockout power in both hands. Timing is everything when opting to stay on your feet in MMA, but the Pole has proven many times in the past he has the skill and craft to pick apart opponents before taking them out.
Jan Brings Power
His professional MMA record reads 23 wins against seven defeats. Of his wins he has scored nine by submission and nine on the scorecards, the remaining five settled by knockout. On the other side of the fence, five defeats have come by decision, with an even split between the remaining two across submission and knockout. That form has earned him a clutch of major honours, including the two-time performance of the night and a couple of fight of the night awards.
He has won each of his last four fights which ensures he’ll command the respect of punters in the pre-match betting. Taking a closer look and we see two of those wins gave him performance of the night, with a third awarding fight of the night. He looks to be in the form of his career. Those picking through the method of victory market should know Jan has won two of four by submission, including the arm-triangle choke of Nikita Krylov last time out in the summer of 2018.
With power coming from both camps, this bout shouldn’t trouble the judges and we’re taking Blachowicz to win inside the distance. Backers will find 11/10 (Bet365) available on Jan winning – good enough for accumulators.
Marreta Shouldn’t be Taken Lightly
35-year-old Brazilian Thiago Santos brings a pro-MMA record of 20 wins from 26 starts with 14 of his victories by knockout, five decision and the remaining one by submission. As his Sledgehammer handle suggests, he’s a man with plenty of power of his own and that makes this contest all the more exciting.
Santos has progressed through the ranks, starting at welterweight before moving to middleweight and then light heavyweight and he has had no problem carrying his power up through the divisions with him, resulting in some emphatic wins along the way. Fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago is a three-time performance of the night winner, was involved in the fight of the night twice and has the most bouts on his record in a calendar year on five, which will take some shifting.
He lost to David Branch when KO’d in April on UFC Atlantic City but got his career back on track with a hat-trick of wins since. That trio started with a decision over Kevin Holland on UFC 227 in LA August 2018, followed by the TKO of Eryk Anders in Brazil a month later.
A Santos Victory?
Santos was back in action for his most recent start when beating Jimi Manuwa in December courtesy of a KO, the result of punches on UFC 231. He continues to be active and that could give him the edge in this one. He’s always sharp, always fit and always willing to fight. Blachowicz will certainly know he’s in with a talented operator when this bout gets underway.
Thiago Santos is priced at 7/10 favourite to win this fight with Unibet but, as always, there are bigger prices to be had in the method of victory, open to those happy to take more of a risk and fire at the rewards. Santos has won each of his last two by KO, beating Anders in round three and Manuwa in round two. A bet on Santos to win by KO/TKO again should receive bits and pieces of attention. Those looking to go against the grain can back the points result.
Our Tip: Blachowicz to win inside the distance – 11/10 at Bet365
Don’t forget to check out our other top betting tips and best MMA betting strategies.