UFC Nashville: Bahamondes vs Klein Picks, Odds & Prediction
It’s fight week and your friends at Betting News have been covering all the big action leading up to UFC Nashville. Another main card fight worth paying attention to this Saturday is the showdown between former Lux Fight League Lightweight Champion Ignacio Bahamondes and Ludovit Klein.
These lightweights have something to prove considering how both men are unranked at the moment. Bahamondes and Klein have also been trending in opposite directions lately, leaving time to tell who has what it takes to be victorious at Bridgestone Arena this weekend.
Betting News has put together a Bahamondes vs. Klein preview, ranging from each fighter’s history to the latest betting odds (via Bovada) and best bets for the UFC Nashville main card clash.
Bahamondes vs Klein Tale of the Tape
Ignacio Bahamondes — Ludovit Klein
- Record: 14-4 — 19-4-1
- Height: 6’3” — 5’7”
- Reach: 75” — 72”
- Weight: 155lbs — 155lbs
- Age: 25 — 28
- Fighting Stance: Orthodox — Southpaw
- Knockouts: 9 — 8
UFC Nashville: Bahamondes vs Klein Odds (as of Friday, August 4 at 8:50 a.m.)
Moneyline
- Ignacio Bahamondes -230
- Ludovit Klein +183
Will the Fight Go the Distance?
Round Total
- Over 2.5 Rounds (-150)
- Under 2.5 Rounds (+115)
Bahamondes vs Klein Fight Preview
Bahamondes has been on a solid run and Bovada expects him to keep things going. The 25-year-old Chilean fighter is available at -230 odds on the moneyline, which carries an implied win probability of 69.7%.
Bahamondes heads into UFC Nashville with plenty of momentum behind him. His UFC career is off to a 4-1 start after having won each of his last three outings with his last two victories coming in catchweight bouts fought at 160 lbs.
He’s also displayed a strong finishing ability throughout his MMA career, picking up 10 of his previous 14 victories by some form of finish (nine by KO/TKO, one by submission).
Interestingly enough, three of those finishes came at the UFC level.
Standing in Bahamondes’ way of another win this weekend is the always exciting Klein.
“Mr. Highlight’s” time with the UFC has been mixed, to say the least. He’s been able to consistently build momentum, going 3-2-1 in his first six fights.
After knocking out Shane Young in his debut back in 2020, Klein followed the victory up with back-to-back losses to Michael Trizano (unanimous decision) and Nate Landwehr (submission). He didn’t let those defeats keep him down, though, defeating Devonte Smith and Mason Jones by points in 2022.
Unfortunately, Klein’s latest fight didn’t go as planned. Though he fought Jai Herbert to a draw at UFC 286, Klein was well on his way to losing the fight before Herbert was deducted points due to a controversial groin shot.
Nevertheless, the first thing that fans will notice in this lightweight showdown is the size difference. Bahamondes stands a whopping eight inches taller than Klein with a three-inch strike advantage.
When it comes to statistics, Bahamondes also has the edge in significant strikes landed per minute (7.93 vs. 3.44) and striking defense (58% vs. 49%). Klein is the better grappler, averaging 1.22 takedowns per 15 mins, but Bahamondes’ 95% takedown defense should keep him on his feet.
UFC Nashville: Bahamondes vs Klein Betting Trends and Markets
Betting on the moneyline can be fun, but why limit yourself? Sportsbooks like Bovada have a wide variety of Bahamondes vs. Klein bets that can spice up your UFC Nashville experience.
Bovada is expecting a full 15-minute fight Saturday, favoring the lightweights to go the distance at -130 odds. Bahamondes has gone the distance in five of his last eight fights while Klein has also done so in four of his previous five — including in each of the most recent three.
Having said that, it’s Bahamondes who’s favored to win by points (+145). He’s 4-2 all-time when his fights go the distance, whereas Klein is 3-1-1 in that regard.
Unsurprisingly, Klein’s top victory method is also to win by points, however, his odds sit at +500.
There’s always a chance that this fight won’t come down to a judge’s decisions though. If that’s the case, Bahamondes is favored to win by first-round knockout at +900 odds. He’s already amassed nine KO/TKO victories throughout his career with six of them occurring in Round 1.
In the event of an upset within the distance, Klein’s best shot of winning is by first-round submission (+1400). Not only does the underdog have six first-round submission wins to his name, but there’s also the fact that Bahamondes has tapped out in the opening frame twice.
UFC Nashville: Bahamondes vs Klein Fight Prediction
These men are solid fighters and I can see this fight being a close one, but I’m taking Bahamondes to win. He’s been the more consistent fighter and his size should help keep Klein at a distance, wearing him down the longer this encounter goes on.
For the best bet, I’m taking Bahamondes to win by either KO/TKO or points (+225). On one hand, I see his striking barrage being too much for Klein to keep up with. On the other hand, the underdog has been successful at avoiding being finished for a good chunk of his career.
Covering both options casts a wide safety net while still providing value.
UFC Nashville Event Details
When is UFC Nashville?
UFC Nashville will take place on Saturday, August 5, 2023.
Where is UFC Nashville?
UFC Nashville will take place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
What time does UFC Nashville start?
- UFC Nashville Preliminary Card Start Time: 6 p.m. ET
- Start Time of UFC Nashville’s Main Card: 9 p.m. ET
How can I watch UFC Nashville?
Both UFC Nashville main and preliminary cards can be viewed on ESPN and ESPN+.
How can I bet on UFC Nashville?
All of the top online sports betting sites will have UFC Nashville odds, but here are some of the sites we recommend most for MMA betting enthusiasts.
