Oddsmakers give Anthony Smith almost no chance of beating Carlos Ulberg at UFC 303, according to the opening betting line.
What once started as a UFC 303 co-main event of Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree ultimately transformed into Anthony Smith vs. Carlos Ulberg following a bevy of changes among light heavyweights.
Smith, No. 12 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light heavyweight rankings, stepped into the card on 17 days’ notice after his training partner Hill withdrew due to injury. It’s another quick return and short notice bout for “Lionheart,” who scored a two-minute finish of Vitor Petrino at UFC 301 in May.
No. 15-ranked Ulberg originally stepped in as a replacement for Rountree against Hill, but then he was the one accepting a new opponent in Smith. The striking specialist is riding a six-fight winning streak, including a 12-second knockout of Alonzo Menifield at UFC on ESPN 56 in May.
DraftKings released the odds for the bout, with Ulberg opening up as a massive -500 favorite over Smith, who’s a +380 underdog.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.
