The MMA extravaganza known as UFC 257 features a loaded fight card with the return of Conor McGregor in a rematch against Dustin Poirier.
Like past UFC PPV events where McGregor is headliner, the UFC has once again stacked the lineup from the early prelims all the way to the main event.
With so many competitive bouts scheduled for Saturday’s PPV, it can be hard to choose which ones to wager on. Don’t worry, just like a good cornerman, we’ve got you covered with our best bets for UFC 257.
FIGHT WEEK HAS FINALLY ARRIVED. #UFC257 pic.twitter.com/6hQpzA43Zx
— UFC (@ufc) January 17, 2021
Evloev to Beat Lentz via Decision (-145)
The unbeaten Movsar Evloev (13-0) takes on the MMA veteran Nik Lentz (3011-2) in an early prelims fight. The fact that Evloev is on so early in a card furthers the point of how stacked UFC 257 is.
The Over 2.5 rounds (-280) and the full 15 minutes (-240) are favored for this bout. Furthermore, these two fighters have gone the distance in 25 of their 55 total fights.
Evloev is a massive -425 betting favorite where six of his 13 pro bouts have gone the distance including his last three fights. I expect Evloev to grind out Lentz for 15 minutes and pick up the win.
Rountree to Beat Prachnio in the 1st Round (+100)
Marcin Prachnio (13-5) has lost three straight fights, which all took place in the UFC and all three were via TKO/KO in the 1st round.
Khalil Rountree (8-4) is a heavy betting favorite at -325 odds. Additionally, the fight ending inside the distance is listed at -400, while the Under 1.5 rounds is favored at -165 odds.
Rountree is on a mission to be his best self and Prachnio will be a great first step at accomplishing this. Look for Rountree to come out and pick up a crushing 1st round KO victory against an opponent that doesn’t have the power or chin to hang with Khalil on the feet.
Khalil Rountree is BACK on Wednesday at #UFCFightIsland8 and I am HYPE
Art: my good buddy @davefretz pic.twitter.com/VkWBNzQ00S
— Štēvë (@SteveK_MMA) January 19, 2021
Azaitar Beats Frevola Inside the Distance (+120)
Matt Frevola (8-1-1) enters this lightweight contest as a +135 underdog as he looks to hand his opponent the first loss of his career.
Ottman Azaitar (13-0) is an unbeaten striker with scary knockout power. 10 of his 13 pro wins have come via TKO/KO. Furthermore, 10 of his 12 finishes have come in the 1st round including both of his UFC fights.
Knockout of the day UFC 242
Ottman Azaitar vs Teemu Packalénpic.twitter.com/xwDnULfEp3— Blue Corner Fighting (@blue_fighting) January 18, 2021
Azaitar (-155), Under 2.5 rounds (-150) and the fight ending inside the distance (-195) are all listed as favorites with UFC betting sites.
With that said, I really think Ottman is going to crush Frevola with a TKO/KO inside the distance which gives us great value at +120 odds.
Joanne Calderwood Beats Jessica Eye (-120)
There aren’t many fights on the UFC 257 card that have moneylines close to even. This Top 7 women’s flyweight bout is one of them.
Because these odds are so close, there’s plenty of value with picking an outright winner compared to some of the other bets in this article where we have to look at method of victory or other prop bets.
I believe Joanne Calderwood (14-5) has the edge in technical striking with her hands and feet. Furthermore, she can strike from a distance which will benefit her greatly considering Jessica Eye (15-8) prefers to fight inside the proverbial phone booth.
This bout will go to the scorecards, which means the one who lands the more convincing strikes should win. Calderwood will land a higher volume of strikes and most likely more power shots as well.
McGregor vs Poirier Over 1.5 Rounds (-138)
The first time Dustin Poirier (26-6) and Conor McGregor (22-4) fought in 2014, McGregor won via TKO/KO in 1:46 of the 1st round.
Furthermore, McGregor is stating that he will beat Poirier in under 60 seconds in the main event of UFC 257 on January 23rd.
Mystic Mac has given his prediction 🔮
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— UFC (@ufc) January 17, 2021
As great as McGregor is, I don’t see it happening. Poirier has evolved as a fighter since fighting McGregor the first time including going 10-2 since then and winning the interim lightweight title.
Poirier will fight with more patience, tactical strategy, and at a distance in this rematch. I expect the 1st round to be more movement from the fighters and less dangerous exchanges like the first fight.
This bout should go into the 3rd round where I can see McGregor picking up a TKO. However, that’s still easily Over 1.5 rounds.
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
