Currently, the odds for Adesanya to win are 1.833 (54.55% probability), while Strickland’s success is rated at odds of 2 (50.00% probability).
Bookmakers released the starting odds after the American fighter defeated the Nigerian by unanimous decision 49-46 three times at UFC 293 in Sydney, with the American nearly finishing the champion early in the first round, sending him to a knockdown.
After the tournament, UFC president, Dana White, announced that Israel Adesanya would get an immediate rematch, hinting to the division’s number one contender, Dricus Du Plessis, that he should not have given up the championship fight and ceded his title shot to Sean Strickland.
Two months earlier, the South African fighter sensationally knocked out Robert Whittaker in a challenger’s bout, but decided to hold off on a return to the octagon, citing a leg injury.
It should be noted that for the title defense against Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya came in as a six-time favorite.