Reed Kuhn is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and strategy and analytics consultant. He is the author of "Fightnomics: The Hidden Numbers and Science in Mixed Martial Arts," the first book to quantify drivers and performance metrics in combat sports.
There may be one more UFC card later this year, but it's UFC 245 that will be the December Las Vegas blowout that fans have come to expect. And as has only occurred a few rare occasions before, we'll get three title fights on the same card.
Each title matchup is compelling for different reasons, and the contenders are all deserving, and bringing fresh matchups to these title pictures. As we'll see, we like one favorite, one underdog and one surprising pass.
Early prelims begin at 6:15 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and prelims are at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2, followed by the main card at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of Wednesday.
Despite these former teammates having completely divergent personalities, Covington and Usman actually resemble each other closely in skill sets and performance metrics. Both former NCAA wrestlers added solid offensive boxing to help them control the cage and dominate fights through volume. The difference is that Usman has relied on his wrestling more often -- and more successfully -- while Covington and used a Max Holloway-esque style of constant stand-up pressure to win rounds.
