The UFC is back on the road and will host their third event in Kansas City, Missouri. The last time the UFC was in Kansas City was in 2023 when Max Holloway defeated Arnold Allen in the Main Event. This Saturday night, No. 7 Ian Machado Garry will take on No. 13 Carlos Prates in a high-stakes Welterweight Main Event bout.
Along with traditional sports betting and daily fantasy, you can now have more action than ever for UFC Fight Night: Machado Garry vs. Prates! Check out DraftKings UFC Pick6! Here are my five favorite picks for UFC Fight Night: Machado Garry vs. Prates.
Ian Machado Garry Less Than 16:30 Fight Time
Yes, Machado Garry is coming off his first professional loss, but it was against No. 2 contender Shavkat Rakhmonov. Garry is now 8-1 in the UFC with three finishes but hasn’t won a fight via stoppage in two years. Although his opponent, Carlos Prates, is ranked No. 13 in the welterweight division, he is as dangerous as any fighter at 170 pounds. Prates is 4-0 with four knockouts in the UFC and hasn’t lost a fight since June 2019.
Nineteen of his Prates’ 21 victories have come by knockout. Also, 22 of his last 23 fights have ended by knockout or submission. The bottom line is that Prates has a kill-or-be-killed mindset when he enters a fight and is not focused on winning a decision.
After seeing a few finishes early in Garry’s UFC career, he has taken a more thoughtful and methodical approach to his bouts. But if Garry wants to make a great case to get a title opportunity, he knows a win in spectacular fashion is necessary. This is a five-round fight, but it would be surprising if it lasted more than 16:30.
Carlos Prates More Than 83.5 Fantasy Points
Prates, along with his Fighting Nerds teammates, have entered the UFC and immediately become some of the most exciting fighters in the sport. Prates is coming off a first-round knockout against Neil Magny in November 2024. Since Prates made his UFC debut, he has been an elite fantasy contributor.
Even though Prates is facing his most formidable opponent yet, it was still surprising to see his total of fantasy points set at 83.5. He has cleared that number in all four of his fights in the UFC. Prates recorded 122.1 points in his last fight and matches up well against Garry. Garry does have a two-inch height advantage, but Prates has a significant four-inch advantage in standing reach.
This fight will most likely take place on the feet, and although Garry is the all-around more complete striker, Prates is more powerful. If this fight goes over two rounds, Prates will be in a great position to once again total 84 or more fantasy points.
Michel Pereira More Than 83.5 Fantasy Points
No. 14 Michel Pereira is coming off a loss to Anthony Hernandez and will look to bounce back against Abus Magomedov. It seemed in his last contest that Pereira struggled to adjust to a five-round fight. But Pereira won his previous eight three-round fights and hasn’t lost two straight fights since 2020.
Pereira finished with just 17.3 points against Hernandez and failed to establish a consistent offensive game plan in that bout. But Pereira scored at least 94 points in his previous three fights. Pereira needs to be more aggressive at the start of this bout, and if he does so, he should be able to have another elite fantasy outing.
Anthony Smith More Than 18.5 Significant Strikes
“Lionheart” Anthony Smith will be making his 60th walk in his professional MMA career. This could be his final MMA fight, and it is a tough one against rising prospect Zhang Mingyang. Smith has shown a willingness throughout his career to face both talented veterans and up-and-coming fighters.
Smith has lost his previous two fights and hasn’t suffered three straight defeats since 2013. His opponent, Mingyang, has won 11 fights in a row, all by submission or knockout. Mingyang’s last loss was in October 2019. Also, he hasn’t appeared in a second round since 2018.
Smith is a +320 underdog on DraftKings Sportsbook. Can he turn back the clock again? Smith’s total in significant strikes is at 18.5, the fourth lowest on this card. He has hit that total in four of his last five contests. Smith is the taller fighter, with a larger reach, and must use both to his advantage to impact Mingyang.
Da’Mon Blackshear More Than 2:30 Control Time
Da’Mon Blackshear is fighting Alatengheili in a three-round Bantamweight bout on the Prelims. Blackshear has an unbelievable six-inch (72″ vs. 66″) advantage in reach while being five inches taller (5’10” vs. 5’5″) than Alatengheili.
Blackshear won his last two fights by submission and is 4-3-1 in the UFC. Alatengheili has won three of his past four bouts. Blackshear has totaled more than 2:30 of control time in three of his previous five fights.
If Blackshear pushes the pace in this bout, he should find success as he has all of the physical tools to dominate this contest. Blackshear averages 0.10 fewer takedowns per 15 minutes than Alatengheili. So Blackshear must be aggressive and continue to try and control him on the cage and ground.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2+ players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice,e and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
Apple DraftKings Pick6 App
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
