UFC 259: Nunes vs. Anderson betting odds, preview, and pick

Amanda Nunes has put a kibosh on retirement talk, and Megan Anderson better be ready.

These two vicious strikers will face off in the UFC 259 co-main event, and we have the preview and pick you need before the big fight.

The Lion Queen returns

After she doled out a horrendous beating of Felicia Spencer at UFC 250 and floated the idea of retirement, “the Lioness” gas returned to maul another overmatched opponent.

While Anderson is a fine fighter, Nunes has clearly established she is far beyond what is left in the women’s featherweight division.

Nunes is the absolute best fighter, male or female, currently competing in the UFC. Her run at champion may never be replicated, but she can’t take her foot off the gas pedal.

Anderson must rely on her power

Anderson is stands at 6-foot and has the power and chin to endure Nunes’ offense. Unlike Spencer, Anderson is a fundamentally strong striker who wouldn’t dare take her chances on the inside against Nunes.

She throws with bad intentions, and her physical attributes might buy her some time, as Nunes tries to bypass her reach. Once Nunes closes the distance, however, Anderson might have to go for broke and hope her power can force Nunes off her.

Nunes is in for an early night

Anderson isn’t a busy striker, has a leaky defense, and her takedown defense is horrible. Holly Holm, who everyone knows is a striker, put on a wrestling clinic against Anderson. Spencer had Anderson tapping out in one round. That history doesn’t bode well for Anderson, as Nunes lands at an astonishing 51% and has a takedown accuracy of 53%.

Much like the Spencer fight, Nunes is more at risk because of complacency or a mental lapse during the fight than anything her opponent does. It is hard to imagine Anderson’s unimpressive defense will hold up to the various tools Nunes has at her disposal.

Nunes is the prohibitive favorite here, and the best bet is that she clips Anderson early and earns a stoppage via ground-and-pound before the first round is up.

MMA free pick: Nunes