by UFC 319 has plenty of dead even fights with not many at all “sure things”. With that being said, I dug deep to find 3 fights I feel positive in picking the favorite to win. These are the closest 3 to a “sure thing” you will find.
3 Favorites to pick
Kai Asakura, Baisangur Susurkaev and Chase Hooper
Here is why.
Tim Elliot vs Kai Asakura
Betting Odds
Tim Elliot +250
Kai Asakura -325
Asakura lost his UFC debut by submission to Alexandre Pantoja and is looking to bounce back from that quickly. He spent almost his entire career in RIZIN on his route to a 21-5 record currently. He needs a win badly here over the UFC veteran Elliot.
Tim Elliot has been with the UFC since 2012 and has seen plenty of ups and down on his way to a 20-13-1 record. Elliot may be old, he may be long past his prime, but he can still catch you in a quick submission if you don’t take him seriously much like what happened to his last opponent Su Mudaerji back in December of 2023.
I do think that the long layoff and age for Elliot works against him here when you combine that with Asakura desperate for a victory here.
Baisangur Susurkaev vs Eric Nolan
Betting Odds
Baisanger Susurkaev -850
Eric Nolan +540
Susurkaev makes his UFC debut at 10-0 with 9 brutal finishes coming in the very first round. Is the hype or is he for real? A lot of eyeballs will be on the under card to watch him perform.
Chase Hooper vs Alexander Hernandez
Betting Odds
Chase Hooper -325
Alexander Hernandez +250
Hooper is a great grappler with recent back to back wins over legends Clay Guida and Jim Miller as he improved his overall record to 16-3-1. Hooper is a winner of 5 straight overall and has what it takes to win his sixth straight here.
Hernandez is a good looking fighter with a chiseled physique but it reminds us all, muscles can only get you so far. He has to many holes in his game as shown in his 4 losses over his last 7 fights. Hooper should be able to expose him early and finish him soundly for the win.
