UFC Fight Night 211: Ilir Latifi vs. Aleksei Oleinik odds, picks and predictions

In a heavyweight bout in the prelims, Ilir Latifi and Aleksei Oleinik meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 211 at UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the UFC Fight Night 211: Latifi vs. Oleinik odds, with expert picks and predictions.

The fight can be viewed on ESPN+ with the prelims beginning at 4 p.m. ET and the main card at 7 p.m. ET.

It’s rather surprising this veteran battle is on the prelims portion of the card, especially since it’s a rather weak card overall. Some of the main card fights should be blowouts, but this has Fight of the Night potential.

Latifi, a.k.a. “The Sledgehammer”, takes the walk with a split-decision win over Tanner Boser in his most recent showing in June 2021, stopping a 3-bout losing skid. However, losses to Corey Anderson, Volkan Oezdemir and Derrick Lewis are certainly nothing to be ashamed of. He looks to work his way back up the ladder with a win over the veteran Oleinik.

The 45-year-old Oleinik, a.k.a. “The Boa Constrictor”, is still a formidable force despite being a little long in the tooth. Just ask Jared Vanderaa, who was submitted by the craft veteran in Round 1 at UFC 273 in April.

Oleinik’s calling card is his work on the mat, posting a 47-2 record via submission in his 77 career professional bouts. Can he do it one more time?

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UFC Fight Night 211 Latifi vs. Oleinik odds

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:35 a.m. ET.

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UFC Fight Night 211 Latifi vs. Oleinik picks and predictions

Records: Latifi (16-8-0) | Oleinik (60-16-1)

Fight result (2-way line or money line)

It’s actually quite surprising these 2 veteran fighters haven’t fought each other yet, either at the UFC level or in any other organization. Latifi doesn’t have as long of a history as OLEINIK (+145), and the Swedish fighter is going to be in for a war.

Look for Oleinik to keep Latifi at bay with his 7-inch reach advantage, picking and choosing his spots to go in for the takedown. The Boa Constrictor will want to get this fight to the mat, which is where he does his best work, and always has. Latifi is no slouch on the canvas, but he hasn’t faced a grappler like the veteran Oleinik.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 1.5 ROUNDS (-140) is a good play, as Oleinik will bide his time looking for the right time to get this one to the mat. It won’t be a quick fight, by any means, although it isn’t going the distance, either.

However, No (-320): Fight to go the distance is just too expensive, so AVOID that. It is worth taking a flyer on OLEINIK BY SUBMISSION (+225) for the chance to multiply your initial wager by more than 2 times. In addition, going lightly on a 2-round block of OLEINIK IN ROUND 2 (+720) and OLEINIK IN ROUND 3 (+1700) is worth a shot. If he wins in Rounds 2-3, you will lose on one end, but you’ll still be well ahead.

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