Fight Odds
Stephen Thompson -235 vs Belal Muhammad
Fight is at 170 lbs and is +165 to end inside the distance.
Stephen Thompson vs Belal Muhammad Betting Preview
Stephen Thompson continues to be one of the better strikers in the entire promotion. The karate-based striker is not completely absent power by any means, but he should very much be categorized as a point fighter. Eight of his last nine fights have gone to the judge’s scorecards. That includes two welterweight title fights and another pair of five round main events. The issues Thompson has had have come mostly via grappling, but also in dealing with power. He is not a low level grappler by any stretch of the imagination, but he can be controlled by elite BJJ players. His last fight with Gilbert Burns was evidence of that. He can also be relegated inactive by high end power. The Darren Till fight is evidence of that. Neither of those aspects will be a real concern for Thompson in this matchup.
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Belal Muhammad is somewhere between gate keeper and high-end fighter. It sounds weird to throw gate keeper out about a fighter that has lost just once in his last 10 fights, but he simply does not have anything resembling a signature win. Muahmmad is a well rounded fighter, but lacks the tools necessary to beat a fighter like Thompson. He is a solid wrestler and grappler, but certainly not an elite one that can take rounds from Thompson with control. Muhammad is a quality enough striker, but also not an elite one. He will be at a large disadvantage against Thompson in the stand up and does not have the power aspect to gain the respect needed to slow Thompson. I envision this fight playing out much like his loss to Geoff Neal, except potentially worse.
What To Bet
The levels between these fighters from a striking standpoint are apparent in every fight, but truly stand out in Neal, the common opponent. Neal put on a striking clinic against Muhammad while Thompson put on a striking clinic against Neal. Neither fight was close. While the common opponent is not always a true indicator, I believe this example is much better than most. Look for Wonderboy Thompson to frustrate Muhammad and win an easy and decisive decision.