Alonzo Menifield vs. Dustin Jacoby Odds
The UFC 296 preliminary card should conclude with fireworks thanks to the pairing of ranked fighters Alonzo Menifield vs. Dustin Jacoby.
These hard-hitting and light heavyweights are both coming off victories and looking to make one final push toward the title.
Here are the odds and my Menifield vs. Jacoby prediction and betting pick.
Tale of the Tape
| Menifield | Jacoby | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 14-3-1 | 19-7-1 |
| Avg. Fight Time | 6:53 | 10:43 |
| Height | 6'0" | 6'3" |
| Weight | 204.5 pounds | 204.5 pounds |
| Reach | 76 inches | 76 inches |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Date of birth | 10/18/1987 | 4/4/1988 |
| Sig Strikes Per Min | 3.8 | 5.5 |
| SS Accuracy | 57% | 46% |
| SS Absorbed Per Min | 3.09 | 4.02 |
| SS Defense | 52% | 59% |
| Take Down Avg | 0.62 | 0.40 |
| TD Acc | 30% | 25% |
| TD Def | 75% | 60% |
| Submission Avg | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Just before the start of the UFC 296 main card, the physically imposing Menifield takes on the sharp muay Thai of Jacoby.
Both men have combined for about one takedown per 15 minutes in their UFC careers, so this should be primarily a standup fight.
Jacoby has an extensive background as a professional kickboxer, including an unsuccessful challenge for the Glory middleweight championship. That skill set has served him well in MMA, where he uses all eight limbs effectively, and where he has a very strong 59% striking defense in the UFC octagon.
Jacoby doesn't have huge power for the division, but he has picked up four knockouts in seven victories.
More importantly, he's never been knocked out himself, which is important against the dangerous Menifield. "Atomic" is a less polished striker than Jacoby, but he has massive power in both hands. He's finished six of his seven UFC wins with those stoppages all taking less than seven minutes each.
Cardio is an issue, though. Menifield won the first two rounds in his draw against Jimmy Crute before dropping a 10-8 (thanks to a point deduction) in the third frame.
Menifield vs. Jacoby Pick
Overall, Menifield is 1-3-1 in UFC fights that make it past the halfway point.
Which is why I'm taking Menifield and Under 1.5 rounds in a Same Game Parlay on DraftKings at +425 – while looking to bet Jacoby live at some point in the second frame.
If he can survive the early onslaught, Jacoby's more technical approach will win out in the second half of the fight.
The Picks: Alonzo Menifield & Under 1.5 Rounds SGP +425 (DraftKings) | Dustin Jacoby Live
