Alex Morono vs. Matthew Semelsberger UFC 277 Odds, Pick & Prediction: Any Value in Tailor-made Matchup for Favorite? (Saturday, July 30)

Alex Morono vs. Matthew Semelsberger UFC 277 Odds, Pick & Prediction: Any Value in Tailor-made Matchup for Favorite? (Saturday, July 30) article feature image
Credit:

Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images/ Pictured: UFC welterweight Matthew Semelsberger

Morono vs. Semelsberger Odds

Morono Odds
+135
Semelsberger Odds
-155
Over/Under
o2.5 (-180 / +145)
Venue
American Airlines Center (Dallas)
Time
Approx. 9:30 p.m. ET
Channel
ABC and ESPN
Odds as of Saturday and via BetMGM.

Matthew Semelsberger is the favorite heading into Saturday's UFC 277 matchup with fellow welterweight Alex Morono.

Although both fighters are riding winning streaks, oddsmakers favor the high-energy Semelsberger heading into the preliminary-card bout.

Let's jump into the matchup to see if that status is deserved.

Tale of the Tape

MoronoSemelsberger
Record21-710-3
Avg. Fight Time11:249:06
Height5'11"6'1"
Weight (pounds)170 lbs.170 lbs.
Reach (inches)72"75"
StanceOrthodoxSwitch
Date of birth8/16/199011/23/1992
Sig Strikes Per Min5.215.01
SS Accuracy42%48%
SS Absorbed Per Min3.934.55
SS Defense56%59%
Take Down Avg.0.350.99
TD Acc25%100%
TD Def53%42%
Submission Avg0.30.3

While Morono has more MMA experience – and has faced a more challenging slate of competition than Semelsberger – the former could be at a severe athletic disadvantage in this matchup against a taller and longer fighter (2 inches of height, three inches of reach).

Semelsberger should be the bigger, faster and stronger athlete, and the striking output should be relatively similar.

Morono is likely the better grappler, and Semelsberger has shown deficiencies in takedown defense and fighting off his back.

However, Morono rarely shoots takedowns (0.35 per 15 minutes), and I don't trust his wrestling to get this fight to the mat.

Morono vs. Semelsberger Pick

I expect to see a striking fight where Semelsberger lands the more impactful shots, but Morono keeps the optics close throughout.

Morono wins by Decision (projected +216, listed +235 at BetRivers) was the only wager that stands out from a value perspective. And perhaps – with a takedown or two – the Texas native can extend his three-fight winning streak.

It's not something I'm inclined to stake significantly, however, at a slight edge and with the power optics and finishing upside all pointing toward Semsleberger.

The Pick: Pass

About the Author
Sean is a Staff Writer at The Action Network and a lawyer in the state of New York. He primarily covers baseball, synthesizing advanced metrics with traditional scouting techniques, and believes that Bartolo Colón's home run was the single greatest athletic achievement of our time.

Follow Sean Zerillo @SeanZerillo on Twitter/X.

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