UFC 273: Chan Sung Jung vs Alexander Volkanovski Picks, Predictions, Odds

Alexander Volkanovski and Chan Sung Jung (The Korean Zombie) fight Saturday in UFC 273 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Volkanovski enters this fight with a 23-1 record and has won 48 percent of his fights by knockout. Jung enters this fight with a 17-6 record and has won 47 percent of his fights by submission.

Volkanovski has won his last 20 fights and is coming off a September win over Brian Ortega. Volkanovski is averaging 6.42 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 56 percent. Volkanovski is averaging 1.77 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 34 percent. Volkanovski is coming off a decision win at UFC 266 where he landed 229 total strikes and 60 percent of his significant strikes. The bout earned fight of the night honors, and he’s successfully defended his belt now twice. Volkanovski still hasn’t lost a fight in nearly nine years, which was his fourth fight of his career. A really strong fighter with extreme pop in his hands and a boxing background, Volkanovski has some of the better standup striking in the sport and counters very well. Volkanovski is also an effective takedown artist with a strong upper body and a wrestling background. Volkanovski has a black belt in BJJ, and he defends takedowns at a very high level, so he’s going to force his opponent to fight the fight he wants and that gives him a great deal of confidence. This will be Volkanovski’s first career fight in Florida.

Jung has won seven of his last 10 fights and is coming off a June win over Dan Ige. He is averaging 4.07 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 43 percent. Jung is averaging 0.82 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 47 percent. Jung is coming off a decision win at UFC on ESPN 25 where he landed 154 total strikes and produced three takedowns. Jung has seen his last two fights go the distance, and he’s 3-3 for his career in decisions overall. The Korean Zombie is a creative striker standing up with a deep background in kickboxing, and he’s highly polished on the ground with a black belt in Judo. A real grinder in this sport, Jung has knockout striking power and has never been submitted in his career. Jung has a black belt in BJJ and a black belt in Taekwondo. This will be Jung’s first career fight in Florida.

Jung in a massive underdog role is attractive, as he’s a quality fighter who can hold his own wherever the fight goes, and he has quality, creative striking that gives him a punchers chance. With that said, betting against Volkanovski really isn’t an option, as he hasn’t lost in forever, he’s proven himself against quality fighters, and he’s the busier, more accurate striker of the two who also would have the edge if this went to the ground. Basically, until Volkanovski gives us a reason to bet against him, you don’t do it.

Give me Volkanovski in a decision to shave down the expensive ML price.