Despite smashing through every opponent placed in front of him in the UFC octagon and crushing Cain Velasquez in their first meeting, Junior dos Santos is only considered a slight favorite to win the rematch between them.
In the first line released on the fight, noted oddsmaker Nick Kalikas installed the reigning UFC heavyweight champion as a -150 favorite over the ex-champ, who is a +120 underdog.
dos Santos (15-1) was also considered a slight favorite in the opening line of their first fight, though just barely, at -125 to Velasquez’s -105.
The Brazilian striking phenom has yet to lose a round in the UFC, winning all nine of his fights, including six by KO or TKO. In his most recent, of course, he finished Frank Mir due to strikes in the main event of UFC 146, marking his first title defense after beating Velasquez last November.
dos Santos has been favored for every fight in his UFC career except for his debut, when he came in as an unknown and starched Fabricio Werdum in just 81 seconds.
Velasquez (10-1) also looked outstanding at UFC 146, mauling Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in a first-round TKO that took just 3:36. It was a quality rebound win for him after losing for the first time in his career, but notably, he also looked healthy. In the fight against dos Santos, he was fighting after a 13-month layoff due to shoulder surgery and was also said to have a knee problem.
The fight against Silva looked like vintage Velasquez, aggressive and powerful in looking for the early finish, a development that should bode well for any chance of regaining the heavyweight championship.
No date has yet been set for the anticipated rematch.