The UFC returns to Saudi Arabia for the second time on Saturday, February 1. Former UFC Middleweight champion No. 2 Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya headlines this Fight Night against No. 5 Nassourdine Imavov in a five-round contest. The co-main event is another middleweight bout. No. 14 Shara “Bullet” Magomedov faces the No. 15 ranked welterweight Michael “Venom” Page.
The Prelims start at 9:00 a.m. ET on ESPN+, with the Main Card beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. Check out my favorite fighters to add to your daily fantasy lineup for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $333K Throwdown [$100K to 1st]
Studs
Sergei Pavlovich ($9,100)
Pavlovich is on a two-fight losing streak, but at only 32 years old, he can still work his way back to a title shot. After knocking out six opponents in a row from 2019 to 2022, his win streak ended when Interim Heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall knocked him out in the first round at UFC 295. Pavlovich last fought in June, when he lost a decision to Alexander Volkov.
He is still ranked No. 4 in the heavyweight division and now will face No. 9 Jairzinho Rozenstruik this Saturday. Although Rozenstruik is a talented fighter with legit knockout power, he isn’t on the level of Pavlovich’s recent opponents. Yes, he only scored 19 and 0 fantasy points in his last two fights, but he scored 107-plus points during his six-fight win streak.
This will be a traditional stand-up heavyweight bout, and Pavlovich is a better striker than Rozenstruik. He lands 2.11 more significant strikes per minute than Rozenstruik (5.86 vs. 3.75). Pavlovich also has a significant six-inch reach advantage (84″ vs. 78′). After a few down performances, Pavlovich is in need of a big knockout victory. In this bout, if Pavlovich can pressure Rozenstruik early in this contest, it is unlikely to be a long fight.
Shara Magomedov ($8,800)
Since Shara Bullet entered the UFC in 2023, he has been one of the most entertaining middleweights in the UFC. He is 4-0 in the promotion with two knockouts, while 15-0 overall in his MMA career. At UFC 308 in October, Magomedov knocked out Armen Petrosyan with a highlight spinning-back fist knockout. This is a significant step up in competition for Magomedov as he faces Michael “Venom” Page this weekend.
Magomedov scored 106 points, which was the most of his UFC career. He has totaled at least 94 fantasy points in three of his four contests in the promotion. This is an elite striking matchup, and Page has the advantages on paper. Page is the taller fighter (6’3″ vs. 6’2″) and has a six-inch more extensive reach (79″ vs. 73″).
Even though Magomedov has fought two more times in the UFC than Page, he has been the better striker. Magomedov has landed 6.82 significant strikes per minute, 4.44 more than MVP. Page is the older fighter by seven years. Magomedov is a better finisher on the feet, and even if it becomes a war, he should provide elite production for your fantasy lineup.
Value Play
Vinicius Oliveira ($7,500)
Vinicius Oliveira has won his first two fights in the UFC and is 21-3 with 18 finishes in his MMA career. Surprisingly, he is the underdog at +136 on DraftKings Sportsbook, while his opponent, Said Nurmagomedov, is -162.
Both fighters have a 70″ reach, but Oliveira has a one-inch edge in height (5’89” vs. 5’8″). Oliveira lands 0.37 more significant strikes per minute while being more efficient on the ground. He is taking down opponents at a 60 percent rate, while Nurmagomedov only is at 16 percent in that area. If Oliveira is the aggressor in this contest, he will have a good chance to be an elite value pick, considering his well-versed skill set.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $333K Throwdown [$100K to 1st]
