The UFC returns after nearly a month away this Saturday in Las Vegas at the UFC APEX. No. 6 Mackenzie Dern faces No. 8 Amanda Ribas for the second time in the first main event of 2025. Ribas won the first matchup by unanimous decision in 2019. Dern is 7-4 since their first fight, while Ribas is 5-4 in that same period.
The Prelims start at 4:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the Main Card beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. Check out my favorite fighters to add to your daily fantasy lineup for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $300K 2025 Opening Throwdown [$100K to 1st]
Studs
Austin Bashi ($8,900)
The 23-year-old has taken the MMA world by storm. He is 13-0 with eight finishes and submitted Dorian Ramos in the second round during Week 4 of Season 8 of Dana White’s Contender Series.
Bashi is facing Christian Rodriguez, who is coming off a loss against Julian Erosa. Rodriguez has the advantage over Bashi in reach (71″ vs. 70″) and height (5’7″ vs. 5’6″). Although Bashi has those intangibles working against him, he is a finishing machine when the fight goes to the ground. He has submitted four of his last five opponents in the first or second round.
His last fight that went the distance was in November 2022. Rodriguez only averages a little more than one takedown per 15 minutes, and it seems that if Bashi can get this bout to the ground, he will have a significant advantage. Although taking a UFC Debutant as your highest-priced fighter may be risky, Bashi is worth all of the hype and more. He is an exceptional fighter who is poised to continue dominating opponents.
Amanda Ribas ($8,500)
In 2019, Ribas beat Dern, and they will now have a rematch to start 2025. Although Ribas is coming off a loss, it was against former champion Rose Namajunas. Ribas had 67 fantasy points in that fight but has had at least 93 fantasy points in four of her previous five victories. In her victory against Dern, Ribas had 75 in their fight.
On paper, Ribas has a ton of advantages in this bout. Ribas has a big three-inch edge in reach and lands 1.2 more significant strikes per minute than Dern does. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Ribas is the favorite at -192.
Ribas is also the better fighter on the ground, completing over two takedowns per 15 minutes, while Dern averages under one. On the ground, Ribas has a 51 percent takedown accuracy and an 85 percent takedown defense. In their last fight, Ribas only landed two takedowns and outlanded Dern 74-20 in significant strikes. Whether this contest occurs on the feet or the ground, Ribas has clear advantages that should result in an excellent performance for your fantasy lineup.
Value Play
Chris Curtis ($7,100)
Curtis has shown talent but has failed to be consistent in his UFC career. He is 1-1-1 in his last three fights and most recently lost a split decision to Brendan Allen in April 2024. In his four-year career, Curtis is 5-3-1.
He always takes fights with the toughest guys in the middleweight division, and Roman Kopylov is next up. Kopylov is four years younger and has won five of his previous six fights in the UFC. Four of those wins have been knockouts. This is a step up in competition for Kopylov, as Curtis has been ranked in the top 15 previously.
Curtis needs this win more, and I expect him to be highly motivated and aggressive to make a significant impact in this contest. He is the better striker and lands 5.76 significant strikes per minute, 1.43 more than Kopylov. Curtis has scored 87 or more fantasy points in two of his last five fights. But one of those fights ended early in the second round due to an eye poke. If Curtis pushes the pace early in the fight, he will be in a good spot to be a steal for fantasy lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $300K 2025 Opening Throwdown [$100K to 1st]
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is ryanwohl) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
