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Thompson vs Holland Predictions: Holland Will Have a Six-Inch Reach Advantage

Written by: Ryan Bristlon
Updated November 29, 2022
11 min read
  • Wonderboy” fights for the first time in a year
  • Kevin Holland rescinds retirement claim to main event
  • Tuivasa looks to end Pavlovich’s KO streak

UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs Holland

The odds for this match are provided by the DraftKings Sportsbook. Click on the odds below to head to DraftKings to place a bet.

Fighter

Odds

Stephen Thompson

+120
BET HERE

Kevin Holland

-140
BET HERE 

Fighter

Odds

Bryan Barberena

+420
BET HERE 

Rafael do Anjos

-540
BET HERE 

Fighter

Odds

Matheus Nicolau

-365
BET HERE 

Matt Schnell

+300
BET HERE 

Fighter

Odds

Tai Tuivasa

+165
BET HERE 

Sergei Pavlovich

-195
BET HERE 

Fighter

Odds

Eryk Anders

+170
BET HERE 

Kyle Daukaus

-200
BET HERE 

UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs Holland - Picks & Predictions

Stephen Thompson vs Kevin Holland - Welterweight division

Stephen Thompson (+120) 

Bryan Barberena vs Rafael dos Anjos - Welterweight division

Bryan Barberena (+420) 

Matheus Nicolau vs Matt Schnell - Flyweight division

Matheus Nicolau (-365) 

Tai Tuivasa vs Sergei Pavlovich - Heavyweight division

Sergei Pavlovich (-195)

Eryk Anders vs Kyle Daukaus - Middleweight division

Kyle Daukaus (-200)

Thompson vs Holland Predictions

Stephen Thompson vs Kevin Holland - Welterweight Division

Stephen Thompson

TALE OF THE TAPE

Kevin Holland

39

Age

30

6 ft.

Height

6 ft. 3 in.

75 in.

Reach

81 in.

16-6-1

Record

23-8, 1 no-contest

Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson steps into the octagon for the first time since December 2021 to take on the now un-retired Kevin Holland in this Saturday’s main event.

A former two-time welterweight title challenger, Thompson is just 2-4 in his last six fights and has lost his last two in a row at the hands of Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad (both by decision).

After fighting Khamzat Chimaev on one day’s notice and losing via first-round submission at UFC 279, Kevin Holland announced his retirement. That lasted about a month before accepting terms to fight Thompson this Saturday.

Prior to the Chimaev loss, Holland had defeated Alex Oliveira and Time Means - both by second-round finishes.

Holland will stand three inches taller than “Wonderboy” and will have a six-inch reach advantage. He enters the contest this Saturday as a -140 favorite.

To find out how to place your bets for this welterweight main event, check out our ultimate UFC betting guide to get started.

Bryan Barberena vs Rafael dos Anjos - Welterweight Division

Bryan Barberena

TALE OF THE TAPE

Rafael dos Anjos

33

Age

38

6 ft.

Height

5 ft. 8 in.

72 in.

Reach

70 in.

18-8

Record

31-14

Once again returning to the welterweight division, former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos sits as the biggest betting favorite on the main card (-540)

Dos Anjos returned to lightweight in 2020 and defeated Paul Felder and Renato Moicano before suffering a knockout loss in his July bout against Rafael Fiziev.

Bryan Barberena is riding a three-fight winning streak with the back-to-back fight of the night honors. He most recently defeated former welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler, via second-round TKO at UFC 276.

Barberena will be the taller man in this fight and will also have a two-inch reach advantage over dos Anjos.

Matheus Nicolau vs Matt Schnell - Flyweight Division

Matheus Nicolau

TALE OF THE TAPE

Matt Schnell

29

Age

32

5 ft. 6 in.

Height

5 ft. 8 in.

66 in.

Reach

72.5 in.

18-2-1

Record

16-1, 1 no-contest

Listed at -365, flyweight Matheus Nicolau is the second-largest betting favorite on the main card.

Nicolau has now won five straight, with his most recent win coming in the form of a unanimous decision over David Dvorak this past March.

Matt Schnell is 1-1 with 1 no-contest in his past three fights. He is coming off of a second-round submission win over Su Mudaerji which was awarded fight of the night honors.

Despite being the underdog, Schnell will stand two inches taller and have a 6.5-inch reach advantage over his opponent.

Tai Tuivasa vs Sergei Pavlovich - Heavyweight Division

Tai Tuivasa

TALE OF THE TAPE

Sergei Pavlovich

29

Age

30

6 ft. 2 in.

Height

6 ft. 3 in.

75 in.

Reach

84 in.

14-4

Record

16-1

After winning five fights in a row, Tai Tuivasa had his winning streak snapped at the hands of former interim heavyweight champion Cyril Gane this past September. Tuivasa suffered a third-round knockout loss.

Sergei Pavlovich defeated two-time title challenger Derrick Lewis in his last outing in July, earning a first-minute TKO over the “Black Beast”.

Pavlovich has only one professional loss on his record and has won his last four in a row.

Listed as a -195 favorite, Pavlovich will stand one inch taller than his opponent and enjoy a significant nine-inch reach advantage.

Eryk Anders vs Kyle Daukaus - Middleweight Division

Eryk Anders

TALE OF THE TAPE

Kyle Daukaus

35

Age

29

6 ft. 1 in.

Height

6 ft. 3 in.

75 in.

Reach

76 in.

14-7, 1 no-contest

Record

11-3, 1 no-contest

With both fighters coming off of losses, both Eryk Anders and Kyle Daukaus look to get back in the win column this Saturday.

Anders has lost two straight, with his most recent loss coming against Jun Yong Park via split decision in May.

Bauhaus last fought Roman Dolidze in June. Dolidze knocked out Daukaus in the first round.

Kyle Daukaus will stand two inches taller than Anders and will have a one-inch reach advantage. Listed at -200, he is the favorite to win.

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How to Watch UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs Holland

  • LOCATION: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
  • WHEN: Saturday, December 3
  • TIME: 8 PM EST
  • HOW: ESPN, ESPN+, TSN5
21+ | Terms and conditions apply
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AUTHOR

Ryan Bristlon

427 Articles

Ryan Bristlon is a Canadian writer currently residing in Hamilton, Ontario. He studied print and broadcast journalism at Humber College and has been a lifelong fan of the sport of hockey and the NHL.



Email: [email protected]

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