The middleweights will be taking over UFC Vegas 47 on Saturday, Feb. 5, inside the UFC’s APEX Center, with Sean Strickland facing off against Jack Hermansson. There are plenty of other matchups on the card to look forward to.
Sporting News, with the help of Sports Interaction, takes a closer look at one of those contests, a way-too-close-to-call bout between two other middleweights, Chidi Njokuani and Marc-Andre Barriault.
UFC VEGAS 47: Hermansson vs. Strickland fight date, time, price, odds & location
Fighter overview
Barriault is a Hybrid Combat middleweight champion as well as a TKO middleweight and light heavyweight champion. He made his pro debut in 2014 and joined the UFC in 2019. After losing his first three fights with the promotion, Barriault almost secured his first win against Oskar Piechota in 2020. The outcome was overturned to a no-contest when he tested positive for ostarine, a banned substance under the UFC's anti-doping policy.
Since then, Barriault has won two in a row. His last fight was a unanimous decision win over Dalcha Lungiambula in December.
Njokuani made his pro debut in 2007. After fighting for King of the Cage and RFA, he went 5-3 with Bellator. Njokuani beat Mario Sousa in the Contender Series in 2021 to secure his spot with the UFC.
How the fight is leaning?
This is the only matchup at UFC Vegas 47 that is an even split. Per Sports Interaction, the moneyline is -115/-115. The best bet has Barriault winning via decision at +175. A $36 wager would produce a $63 profit, for a total payout of $99. Njokuani via decision comes in at +225. A $31 wager would pay $69.75, for a $100.75 payout.
Njokuani via KO/TKO at +325 appears to be the offensive choice to make. A $24 wager would generate a $78 profit, for a $102 total payout. Barriault via KO/TKO is +350. If you wager $22, you would get back $99 total ($77 profit).
Who has the edge?
In his short time with the UFC, Barriault has landed 5.80 significant strikes per minute. He also has a 46 percent strike accuracy rate and a 56 percent strike defense. In his last three fights, Barriault has had landed 333 strikes. Njokuani landed 65 strikes against Sousa. He has won 60 percent of his fights via some form of knockout.
UFC VEGAS 47: Hermansson vs. Strickland odds, predictions, betting trends
We are going into the unknown when it comes to Njokuani, specifically in the Octagon. He does have a 6-inch reach advantage over Barriault, however. Njokuani's kicks are precise and he has been known to be a tough striker. Barriault has a tough chin. But will Njokuani surprise by avoiding Barriault's inside offensive capability?
Njokuani may have to worry about Barriault's power by the cage. Barriault could tire Njokuani out by muscling him down. That has been done in the past against Njokuani.
Even with Barriault's quick hands and pressure within the clinch, Njokuani has a counter ability that will make oddsmakers love him. This has the potential to be a Fight of the Night candidate. In the end, expect the Contender Series alum to take home the win and force the fight to go the distance.
