Gilbert Burns vs Jack Della Maddalena: Betting Odds & Prediction
Featured image: Alamy Images
Welterweight contestants Gilbert Burns (22-6) and Jack Della Maddalena (16-2) face-off on the main card of UFC299 on Saturday.
Burns looks to land a second shot at a world title while Maddalena hopes to propel himself further up the rankings at 185lbs.
Recent Form
Burns enters the fight fourth in the UFC welterweight rankings. The Brazilian suffered his sixth professional defeat last time out, losing by decision to Belal Muhammed at UFC288 in May 2023. Burns nevertheless heads into Saturday with a wealth of experience at the highest level, having already contested for the welterweight crown versus Kamaru Usman three years ago where he lost by third-round stoppage.
The 37-year-old has never shied from a fight having entered the octagon with most of the key competitors around him. Victories over Stephen 'Wonder Boy' Thompson and Jorge Masvidal balance out against a narrow loss to Khamzat Chimaev in April 2022 and the Muhammed defeat last year, casting doubt over whether Maddalena's inexperience at the top level will play a role in the fight's outcome on Saturday.
Renowned as the best boxer currently operating in the UFC, the Australian has never been on the floor in a fight and boasts 11 wins by knockout and another two by submission in his 18 professional contests.
The 27-year-old no doubt has youth on his side as he looks to move further up the welterweight rankings, but whether his striking alone will be enough to overcome the more versatile Burns is a question which remains to be answered.
The latter has shown he can mix it with the best whether that be on his feet or on the ground, something which cannot yet be said of the Australian. Maddalena most recently ousted Kevin Holland by split-decision in September.
Betting Odds
Burns, who enters the octagon ten years senior of Maddalena, heads into the bout an underdog. The Brazilian sits at 7/5 outright with SpreadEx, while Maddalena comes in at 4/6 with Betfred.
A prolific striker, Maddalena sits at 33/20 with UniBET to win by KO/TKO/DQ.
Prediction
With Burns' experience against top tier opposition, OddsNow find it difficult to look past the Brazilian on the moneyline. Maddalena sits as an outright favourite, and so the best bet would be to back him to secure his 14th win inside the distance.