UFC 218 odds: Latest Vegas lines and betting guide for 'Holloway vs Aldo 2'

“Scarface” is here to save the day!

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight roost-ruler, Jose Aldo, has stepped up to the plate after Frankie Edgar’s eye orbital gave out, taking on recent conqueror Max Holloway in UFC 218’ pay-per-view (PPV) main event this Saturday evening (Dec. 2, 2017).

Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich., will also play host to a Heavyweight rumble between Alistair Overeem and Francis Ngannou in addition to a Lightweight war for the ages between Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez.

The $60 PPV is a steep price to pay, but not so steep we can’t overcome it. Here’s how:

What Went Wrong at UFC Fight Night 122?

What did I say? That Bharat Kandare was good at one thing and one thing only: Wrestling. What did he do? He didn’t even think about a takedown until he’d already gotten his chin checked and wound up running headlong into a front choke. Frustrating.

UFC 218 Odds For The Undercard:

Paul Felder (-150) vs. Charles Oliveira (+130)
Alex Oliveira (-200) vs. Yancy Medeiros (+170)
David Teymur (-175) vs. Drakkar Klose (+155)
Felice Herrig (-150) vs. Cortney Casey (+130)
Razak Alhassan (-240) vs. Sabah Homasi (+200)
Dominick Reyes (-400) vs. Jeremy Kimball (+325)
Justin Willis (-210) vs. Allen Crowder (+175)
Amanda Cooper (-400) vs. Angela Magana (=325)

Thoughts: Casey looks like a solid underdog pick, while Justin Willis is not the massive favorite he should be.

Herrig’s recent run is damn impressive considering how forgettable she’d looked through her The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) run and prior. That said, Casey’s looked every bit as solid and, stylistically, has the size and strength to nullify Herrig’s grappling offense and do damage of her own. Sure, Claudia Gadelha effectively had her way with her, but Gadelha is one of the best in the division and one of the few who can match Casey’s physicality. Herrig isn’t quite so lucky and should struggle under her powerhouse foe’s onslaught.

I’m aware that this puts my foot precariously close to my mouth, but Allen Crowder looks tailor-made for Justin Willis. Crowder gassed badly in his “Tuesday Night Contender Series” appearance and what looks to be his primary skillset, his grappling, is thoroughly outclassed by Willis’s. Worse, Willis will have at least 20 pounds on him ... and that’s not even counting how much “Big Pretty” rehydrates after the weigh-in. It’ll likely be a God-awful fight, but it’s one from which you can profit.

UFC 218 Odds For The Main Card:

Max Holloway (-310) vs. Jose Aldo (+255)
Francis Ngannou (-260) vs. Alistair Overeem (+220)
Henry Cejudo (-255) vs. Sergio Pettis (+215)
Justin Gaethje (-175) vs. Eddie Alvarez (+155)
Tecia Torres (-230) vs. Michelle Waterson (+190)

Thoughts: The top four fights have “parlay-ruining surprise knockout/submission” written all over them, so let’s just deal with the opener. I favor Tecia Torres over all but maybe four people in the Strawweight division, so let’s look to her for a boost.

“Tiny Tornado’s” speed and volume are more than most women can handle and they’re backed by a strong offensive and defensive wrestling game. She can also hold her own at range with kicks, which is often Waterson’s wheelhouse, and should be the one dictating position. Waterson’s a damn good fighter, but beating Angela Magana and Paige VanZant isn’t enough to convince me that she can upend Torres.

UFC 218 Best Bets:

• Single bet -- Cortney Casey: Bet $100 to make $130
• Parlay -- Tecia Torres and Justin Willis: Bet $100 to make $112

UFC 218 features some fights here that will almost certainly wind up on a year-end “Best of” list of some sort. See you Saturday, Maniacs!

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver live UFC 218 results on fight night, which is as good a place as any to talk about all the action inside the Octagon, as well as what you've got riding on the sportsbook.

Initial Investment For 2017: $200 (+$400 infusion)
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