UFC 308 Playing Preview: Will Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway slug it out for an early end?

James Pier

2 months ago

UFC 308 is lastly right here!

This Saturday, Ilia Topuria places his featherweight title on the road in opposition to Max Holloway in probably the most extremely anticipated fights of the 12 months. On prime of that, the co-main occasion contains a big-time middleweight matchup with former champion Robert Whittaker taking over Khamzat Chimaev in what could nicely decide the following middleweight title challenger. With all that, plus 11 extra fights on the docket, let’s dive into one of the best bets this week.

All odds are courtesy of our buddies at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photos

Single Performs

Ilia Topuria by Factors (+280)

I’ve a full written break down of the principle occasion out on MMAFighting.com so test that out for a deeper dive, however to me this combat boils right down to Topuria has a stylistic benefit, alongside being youthful, extra bodily, and an ascending expertise. Holloway definitely has instruments to win, however I favor Topuria to get the job finished. That being mentioned, Holloway may very well be unattainable to complete at this level in his profession, and the worth between this guess and Topuria straight at -260 is substantial.

Topuria vs. Holloway Over 3.5 Rounds (-126)

Principally the very same cause because the above guess: I anticipate this combat will go lengthy. Holloway has been completed as soon as in his complete profession, again in his fifth skilled combat when he was 20 years previous. Topuria, clearly, has by no means been completed since he’s by no means misplaced. Extra to the purpose although, even in wins, Holloway tends to go lengthy. 9 of Holloway’s previous 10 fights have gone into the fifth spherical or to a choice. This appears like good worth to me.

Khamzat Chimaev by KO/TKO or Submission (-165)

At this level in his profession, the query for Chimaev just isn’t “will he win the combat?” it’s “will he present up?” Each time Chimaev steps within the cage, he will get his hand raised, these days it’s been a matter of attending to the cage. However to date, it seems Chimaev will make the stroll on Saturday, which suggests Whittaker is in bother.

Robert Whittaker is a future Corridor of Famer, however this can be a robust combat for him. Chimaev has proven the power to rag-doll everybody he’s confronted, and given the best way Dricus du Plessis big-brothered Whittaker, it appears doubtless that Chimaev will have the ability to do the identical. Merely put, Whittaker is a superb fighter, however Chimaev is healthier and may cement his title shot on Saturday.

Lerone Murphy by Factors (-135)

That is Dan Ige’s first combat since heroically stepping in at UFC 303 on 4 hours’ discover and I’ll be sincere, it’s a puzzler. I assumed Ige’s willingness to be an organization man would’ve earned him a greater alternative however as an alternative he will get Murphy, a man who is excellent and nonetheless fairly unknown.

This needs to be an easy Murphy win as he can out-work Ige on the toes and blend in takedowns as mandatory. However like with the principle occasion, Dan Ige is incapable of being completed so as an alternative of taking Murphy straight, go for the Resolution prop to extend your worth.

Parlay

Geoff Neal (-310)

Neal takes on Rafael dos Anjos within the prelims of UFC 308 and he’s among the many fighters I’m most assured in to get a win on Saturday. RDA is a future Corridor of Famer, however he’s pushing 40 and has by no means been a real welterweight. Sure, he’s had success at 170 kilos, however dos Anjos is a lot better at light-weight the place his bully ways are more practical. Now he’s going through Neal who remains to be within the prime of his profession, considerably greater, and an excellent defensive wrestler. Neal ought to field RDA’s ears.

Rinat Fakhretdinov (-245)

Initially meant to face Nursulton Ruziboev, as an alternative Fakhretdinov now takes on former PFL fighter Carlos Leal, who steps in on brief discover. Fakhretdinov ought to have the run of play on this one as he can compete on the toes and rating takedowns practically at will. Fakhretdinov is only a rattling good fighter and Leal is a bit overmatched on this one.

Parlay these two bets collectively for -116 odds

Lengthy Shot

Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway to be Received within the 1st Minute of Spherical 1 or the Final Minute of the fifth Spherical (+1800)

We haven’t taken a stab on an extended shot in a very long time however this Saturday calls for it. Holloway now has this insanely cool gimmick of pointing to the bottom and slugging it out on the finish of fights, to the purpose that Topuria is looking for them to start out the bout like that. And whereas Holloway doesn’t appear inclined to oblige him, if this factor goes late, he’ll.

And the great people at FanDuel have you ever coated with this guess that pays out both manner. If Max does meet Ilia within the center to start out and the bout ends shortly, electrical. And if this factor goes lengthy, that ultimate stretch will probably be equally electrical.

This guess in all probability received’t money, but it surely’s going to be enjoyable.

Wrap Up

Oof. Powerful week over within the PFL as we missed each one in every of our straight performs. Happily, that can’t occur this week as we’ve no straight performs! Virtually each combat this week has fairly lengthy odds so as an alternative of selecting straight, we needed to go for a bunch of prop bets as an alternative. Hopefully we picked our spots proper.

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

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