UFC 300 Gambling Preview: Can Max Holloway upset Justin Gaethje and claim ‘BMF’ title?

UFC 300 is lastly right here, and it’s going to be unbelievable.

Headlined by a light-weight heavyweight title battle between Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill, the cardboard additionally contains a strawweight title between Weili Zhang and Yan Xiaonan and a “BMF” title battle between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway. On high of that, the cardboard options seven different former UFC champions and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. It’s the best battle card ever assembled on paper, so let’s have a look at all of those fights.

As all the time, all odds are courtesy of our buddies at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Straight Bets

Alex Pereira (-130)

Pereira is among the greatest strikers on the planet, and he’s preventing a person who has by no means shot a takedown throughout his whole UFC profession. That’s a fairly good begin for anybody backing Pereira. On high of that, we add in Hill’s damage standing. He’s returning fairly quickly from his achilles damage, and if you wish to battle Pereira, then it will be higher to take action with none potential points.

Hill actually can win this battle, however that’s too many strikes in opposition to him to really feel comfy. I’m backing the world class kickboxer in a battle that can seemingly be completely kickboxing.

Max Holloway (+136)

This battle goes to be superb. Holloway has one of many biggest chins in MMA historical past, and Gaethje is a monstrously highly effective puncher. That’s going to be a enjoyable watch. Holloway’s weak spot has all the time been chopping the legs, and Gaethje is among the greatest leg-kickers within the sport. That’s a enjoyable watch. Gaethje’s protection is primarily shelling as much as catch punches on the arms, and Holloway has the best strike differential in UFC historical past – and it’s not shut. Once more, a enjoyable watch.

Whoever takes a backward step on this battle goes to be the man who loses, and I can’t assist however suppose that will probably be Gaethje. Holloway’s sturdiness lets him survive Gaethje’s brutal offense, and his output takes over the battle.

Jiri Prochazka (-105)

The previous gentle heavyweight champion takes on Aleksandar Rakic within the featured prelim battle, and I like his possibilities to get again on the successful observe. Prochazka is chaos incarnate, whereas Rakic’s whole recreation is to quiet chaos. That’s merely not one thing Prochaza will enable. He’s going to convey the thunder, and at that time, your alternative is to reply him head on – or wilt beneath. However since Rakic doesn’t have a lot one-hit KO energy, his probabilities of successful a firefight with Jiri are slim.

Calvin Kattar (+145)

Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling makes his featherweight debut in opposition to Kattar, and I’m a bit stunned “Aljo” is the favourite. Kattar is the naturally larger fighter and the much better striker. Most significantly, although, Kattar is a superb defensive wrestler. Zabit Magomedsharipov struggled to get Kattar down and will barely maintain him down when he did, so why does Las Vegas suppose Sterling can have extra success? If we’d beforehand seen Sterling at 145, possibly I might see him being the favourite. However for his first time at this weight class, give me the underdog with the nice model matchup.

Jessica Andrade (-142)

The previous strawweight champion faces Marina Rodriguez on the prelims, and it is a deal of a value. If this battle occurred on the identical time this previous 12 months, Andrade would have been a -250 favourite at the very least. However she’s misplaced three in a row, and individuals are questioning if “Bate Estaca” is on the decline. When she bashed Mackenzie Dern across the cage, that query gave the impression to be answered, however the books nonetheless aren’t positive. Even when Andrade is in decline, Rodriguez is, as properly, and she or he’s not bodily sufficient to maintain the previous champion from dominating this battle.

Jim Miller (+154)

It’s UFC 300. If you happen to suppose we’re betting on Bobby Green, you’re exterior your god-given thoughts. That is Jim Miller’s day. That’s all of the evaluation you want.

Picture by Paul Rutherford/Getty Pictures

Prop Bets

Weili Zhang to Win by KO/TKO/DQ or Submission (-110)

Was Yan Xiaonan’s win over Jessica Andrade an indication she has elevated her recreation massively? That’s the one query for the co-main occasion this weekend. If sure, then this battle all of the sudden will get fairly aggressive. If not, this ought to be batting apply for the champion. Carla Esparza dominated Yan on the ground, and Weili ought to be capable to end her there. Add within the additional bump Weili ought to get from her own custom fight shorts, and I believe we get an announcement efficiency from the champion.

Deiveson Figueiredo To Win By KO/TKO/DQ (+175)

Figueiredo faces Cody Garbrandt within the first battle of the night, and if that doesn’t inform you every thing you might want to learn about this card, I don’t know what is going to. I’ve written plenty about this fight already, and my opinion hasn’t modified for a second: Garbrandt merely can not assist however get drawn into brawls that he’s ill-equipped to compete in. Figueiredo will power him to do the identical, and whereas “Figgy Smalls” can eat the pictures Garbrandt places on him, the reverse just isn’t the identical.

Picture by Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures

Parlay of the Week

Arman Tsarukyan (-225)

Tsarukyan faces Charles Oliveira in a most important card bout on Saturday, and whereas “Do Bronx” is a darling canine for a lot of, he’s not for me. Oliveira is a supremely harmful fighter, however he’s going through a younger, hungry wunderkind who’s by no means been completed and appears for all of the world like a future champion. Worse but, Tsarukyan’s proven a vastly improved putting recreation these days, which means that Oliveira is in danger in all phases of the sport.

Bo Nickal (-2100)

Nickal fights Cody Brundage in the primary card opener, and the chances inform the story of what this battle is. It’s a squash match to get Nickal over on the most important card of the 12 months. His inclusion isn’t including a lot to the parlay, however it’s additionally as near a assure as there’s on this enterprise.

Kayla Harrison (-425)

Harrison makes her UFC and bantamweight debut in opposition to Holly Holm in a prelim bout, and whereas many are involved about her skill to compete at 135 kilos, I’m not. Harrison is a authentic world-class athlete, and she or he’s been supremely assured the burden received’t be a difficulty. I belief her. When the cage door closes, Holm shouldn’t be a lot of 1 both, as she’s properly past her prime – and Harrison just isn’t Ronda Rousey. She’s not going to run headlong into punches, and Holm is finally going to get thrown and completed.

Parlay these three bets collectively for -116 odds.

Wrap Up

That is clearly the most important weekend of the 12 months, so we determined to go all out. These are the weekends we reside for. Take pleasure in it, of us.

Till subsequent week, benefit from the fights, good luck, and gamble responsibly!

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