Alex Pereira finds himself in a pivotal position as he gears up to headline what many consider to be the highlight event of 2024, UFC 300. Notably, Pereira steps into the limelight not only as a main event contender but also as the betting favorite.
His rise to prominence in the light heavyweight division has been swift, with just two previous fights in this weight class. Nevertheless, Pereira has garnered considerable respect, evidenced by the odds favoring him to emerge victorious against former champion Jamahal Hill on April 13.
Sportsbetting.ag’s initial odds position Pereira as a slight favorite for his inaugural title defense following his knockout victory over Jiri Prochazka, which secured him the title in November of the preceding year.
The opening odds for the UFC 300 main event stand as follows:
Alex Pereira: -155
Jamahal Hill: +135
According to these figures, a $155 wager on Pereira promises a $100 return if successful, whereas a $100 bet on Hill yields $135 in case of an upset victory.
Hill’s journey back to contention has been marked by resilience, having recovered from a debilitating torn Achilles’ tendon sustained the previous year, which led to him relinquishing his light heavyweight title.
His return is underscored by an impressive string of victories, encompassing four consecutive wins, including three knockouts and a commanding decision triumph over Glover Teixeira to secure the title in January 2023.
While Hill’s reign was abruptly cut short by injury, he now seeks redemption as he vies to reclaim the championship in April.
Conversely, Pereira, a seasoned 36-year-old Brazilian, has demonstrated his prowess with successive wins over Prochazka and former champion Jan Blachowicz in his brief stint in the light heavyweight division.
With a 9-2 MMA record, including an impressive 6-1 tally in the UFC, Pereira’s only setback came in a middleweight title bout against Israel Adesanya.
Pereira’s quest to defend his belt against Hill serves as the climactic showdown of the historic UFC 300 event, set to unfold at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 13.
