DFS lineup advice for UFC Fight Night and MMA $400k Throwdown Special tonight

There has been some lineup chaos, but there will still be 10 fights at UFC on ESPN 14 this evening starting at 7:00 p.m. ET., And you can be the big winner in DraftKings MMA $400k Throwdown Special, with $100,000 guaranteed for first place via just an $15 entry.

Each fighter has been given a salary, usually in balance with their opponent but not always due to replacement fighters, and rosters can’t exceed a salary cap of $50,000. With bonus points for stopping opponents early, picking effective strikers and submission specialists that can end things in one round or less is crucial. So is being an active fighter that shoots for takedowns and lands significant strikes.

Here’s how the scoring works, and notice how heavily it leans towards winning big and early:

Moves

Significant Strikes: +0.5 Pts
Advance: +3 Pts
Takedown: +5 Pts
Reversal/Sweep: +5 Pts
Knockdown: +10 Pts

Fight Conclusion Bonuses

1st Round Win: +90 Pts
2nd Round Win: +70 Pts
3rd Round Win: +45 Pts
4th Round Win: +40 Pts
5th Round Win: +40 Pts
Decision Win: +30 Pts

So here’s one man’s best bets for tonight’s UFC on ESPN card:

Jamall Emmers: $7,800

Emmers was priced in DK contests based on his bout being against Timur Valiev. But now he’s facing a replacement fighter in Vincent Cachero that’s lost his last two of his last three on the independent circuit, and who took this bout on two days notice. This should be a dream spot for DFS players, and having Emmers should almost be required. He’s a -365 favorite on the money line, and you’re spending below the average fighter’s salary to have him on your roster.

Nate Maness: $7,200

Same thing here. Nate Maness was an underdog when he was fighting Ray Borg, and his DFS pricing reflects that action. Now he’s a favorite over Johnny Munoz, and you can save a ton of DFS salary by having him on your roster as a money line favorite at -135 but a DFS bargain. Despite the pedigree of Munoz who is undefeated on the independent circuit, Maness has had a full camp to prepare.

Jojo Calderwood: $8,700

Since you can now afford the biggest chalk in Chris Gutierrez as well because of all the money saved above, don’t forget to spread the wealth to Calderwood too. In her last three wins she’s averaged 94 DFS points per fight, and though she’s taking this bout on less than two week’s notice, she should have a significant advantage over Jennifer Maia. Maia is 2-2 in the octagon, but has yet to impress with four lukewarm decisions. She likely gets stopped tonight.