UFC Edmonton: Buckley vs. Malott continues on the prelims with a fight between Melissa Croden and Chelsea Chandler in the women's bantamweight division. Check out our UFC Edmonton odds series for our Croden-Chandler prediction and pick.
Melissa Croden (8-3) brings a solid professional record to the Octagon. Returning to action following a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Darya Zheleznyakova in April, the striker previously suffered a tough decision loss against Luana Santos, as she comes into her fight this weekend against Chelsea Chandler.
Chelsea Chandler (7-4) steps into the Octagon bouncing back from a tough first-round knockout loss to Joselyne Edwards, she most recently secured an impressive first-round armbar submission victory over Priscila Cachoeira, as she comes into her fight this weekend against Melissa Croden.
UFC Edmonton Odds, courtesy of DraftKings:
UFC Edmonton Odds: Melissa Croden-Chelsea Chandler Odds
Melissa Croden: -325
Chelsea Chandler: +260
Over 2.5 Rounds: -175
Under 2.5 Rounds: +135
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Melissa Croden Will Win
Melissa Croden holds a distinct stylistic advantage as she prepares to face Chelsea Chandler this Saturday at UFC Edmonton. Fighting in front of a passionate Canadian crowd, Croden will leverage her superior striking fundamentals and cage control to dictate the pace of this bantamweight clash.
Chandler is known for trying to drag her opponents into ugly, grueling grappling exchanges to mask her deficiencies on the feet. However, Croden possesses the defensive wrestling and physical strength necessary to stuff those desperate takedown attempts and keep the fight in her preferred domain.
Once the action settles on the feet, Croden’s crisp combinations and precise distance management will quickly overwhelm the American veteran. Chandler has historically struggled when forced to engage in prolonged striking battles, often leaving defensive openings that a technical striker like Croden will undoubtedly exploit.
Furthermore, Croden’s veteran composure and disciplined approach ensure she will not make reckless mistakes or rush into potential submission threats. By steadily breaking Chandler down with heavy body kicks and sharp jabs, the Canadian prospect will systematically drain her opponent's gas tank over fifteen minutes.
Ultimately, Croden is simply the much cleaner and more well-rounded mixed martial artist anywhere this fight goes. Expect her to utilize her sharp striking and excellent takedown defense to comfortably outpoint Chandler and secure a dominant victory on home soil.
Why Chelsea Chandler Will Win
Chelsea Chandler possesses the gritty fighting style and high-level grappling credentials necessary to spoil Melissa Croden’s homecoming at UFC Edmonton this Saturday. While Croden clearly prefers a clean kickboxing match at range, Chandler excels at turning pristine striking battles into grueling, exhausting brawls along the fence.
By aggressively closing the distance and absorbing a few early strikes to secure the clinch, Chandler can completely neutralize her opponent's technical striking advantages. Once she locks her hands around the Canadian prospect, Chandler’s raw physical strength and powerful judo tosses will dictate exactly where the fight takes place.
On the mat, the American veteran holds a massive, undeniable advantage in both heavy positional control and opportunistic submission hunting. Croden may feature solid initial takedown defense early on, but she will undoubtedly struggle to cope with the relentless chain-wrestling pressure Chandler brings round after round.
Article Continues BelowAs the fight enters the later stages, the suffocating top pressure and constant threat of joint locks will rapidly deplete Croden’s striking cardio. Furthermore, Chandler's hard-earned experience in deep waters against proven UFC-caliber competition will shine through precisely when the hometown favorite begins to fade.
Ultimately, Chandler’s sheer determination to force the fight into her preferred grappling domain makes her an absolute stylistic nightmare for a pure striker. Expect the American to decisively silence the Edmonton crowd by dragging Croden to the canvas and securing a dominant late-round submission finish.
Final Melissa Croden-Chelsea Chandler Prediction & Pick
This Saturday at UFC Edmonton, bantamweights Melissa Croden and Chelsea Chandler collide in a quintessential striker-versus-grappler stylistic battle. Fighting on home soil, Croden will look to rely on her crisp kickboxing fundamentals and active footwork to keep the hard-hitting American at bay.
The critical x-factor in this matchup revolves around whether Chandler can force extended grappling exchanges and drag the contest to the canvas. While Chandler possesses a distinct strength advantage in the clinch and dangerous submission skills, Croden’s sharp defensive wrestling and disciplined ring management should keep her upright.
As the bout progresses into the later rounds, Chandler’s heavy reliance on brute force will likely see her cardio diminish under continuous pressure. Croden should steadily take over down the stretch, using accurate counter-striking and superior volume to secure a hard-fought unanimous decision victory.
Final Melissa Croden-Chelsea Chandler Prediction & Pick: Melissa Croden (-325), OVER 2.5 Rounds (-175)