UFC 308 is here! The UFC Bantamweight title will be on the line in the Main Event as the champion, Ilia Topuria, will have his first defense against BMF champion Max Holloway. No. 1 Robert Whittaker faces No. 13 Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round middleweight co-main event.
This incredible event features top-tier talent from the prelims to the main card. If you want more information about the card, check out my full preview here. Check out my four best bets below. The Prelims, which are broadcast on ESPN+, start at 10:00 a.m. ET. The Main Card follows at 2:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
Max Holloway Moneyline (+225)
Holloway offers matchup problems for Topuria. He is four inches taller and is an all-around more well-versed striker. This is also Holloway’s 30th fight in the UFC. Holloway is 22-7 in the promotion while coming off one of the greatest performances of his career when he knocked out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April.
Holloway has a four-inch height advantage (5’11” vs. 5’7″) over Ilia Topuria. Yes, Holloway had his run as UFC featherweight champion. But this version of Holloway may be more dangerous than ever. Holloway has knocked out his last two opponents. Topuria knocked out former champion Alexander Volkanovski in February. Topruia does have a ton of power, but I believe that Holloway’s experience and volume striking will overwhelm him.
Magomed Ankalaev to Win by KO/TKO/DQ or Submission (+200)
Although Ankalaev has been unbeaten in his previous 12 fights, he still has to be hungrier than ever when he gets in the Octogan to earn a title shot. It isn’t always about if you win but how you get the victory.
Ankalaev was submitted by Paul Craig in his UFC debut six years ago. But after that loss, he won nine contests in a row with five finishes. That is when his journey got off track a little bit. Ankalaev fought Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title, but the bout ended in a draw. Many thought Ankalaev won that fight, but it didn’t help that he was on the sidelines for nearly a year after. Ankalaev fought Johnny Walker in his previous two fights. The first one ended in the first round due to an eye poke, and more recently, Ankalaev beat him by KO/TKO in January.
The narrative about Ankalaev suggests that he is a boring fighter and doesn’t deserve a title fight. But that isn’t true. He deserves another opportunity to win gold, even more so if he can beat Aleksandar Rakic decisively. Ankalaev is a huge -395 favorite to win this fight, while Rakic is the +310 underdog.
Myktybek Orolbai to Win by KO/TKO/DQ or Submission (+165)
Orolbai is taking on Mateusz Rebecki in a lightweight bout on the prelims. This is an excellent fight between two up-and-coming prospects at 155 pounds. Orolbai is 2-0 in the UFC with one submission, and Rebecki is 4-1 in the promotion with three finishes.
Orolbai is the better wrestler and the more accurate striker. He averages over seven takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 52 percent of his significant strikes. If Orolbai keeps Rebecki at range and dictates the pace of this fight, he will find success. Orolbai has 11 finishes in his MMA career and can get the finish on the feet or the ground. Orolbai is -325 to win this fight outright on DraftKings Sportsbook. The value play is Orolbai by submission or KO/TKO/DQ at +165.
Abus Magomedov Moneyline (-148)
Magomedov hasn’t had the greatest start to his UFC career. He is 2-2 in the UFC but recently won his previous fight against Warlly Alves in May. Brunno Ferreira is Magomedov’s opponent in this bout. Magomedov possesses many matchup problems for Ferreira. It includes a six-inch reach advantage (78″ vs. 72″) and a three-inch edge in height (6’2″ vs. 5’10”).
Magomedov is better on the ground than Ferreira. He lands 2.65 takedowns per 15 minutes and is 77 percent accurate. If Magomedov can get the fight to the canvas quickly, he has a good chance to dominate the rest of the fight.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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