After weeks of build-up and anticipation, UFC 320 has arrived! The highly anticipated rematch between Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira headlines the event for the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship. While “The Machine” Merab Merab Dvalishvili defends his title 135-pound against Cory Sandhagen in the co-main event.
Here are my best bets for tonight’s UFC 320 PPV.
Alex Pereira Moneyline (+215)
Yes, Alex Pereira lost to Ankalaev in his last fight, but he had won four straight title fights by KO/TKO before that. Pereira has never lost two consecutive fights in his MMA career.
Getting Pereira at +215 on DraftKings Sportsbook is an excellent value play considering his championship pedigree. At UFC 313, Pereira successfully defended all 12 of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts. If Pereira can display elite takedown defense again, a different outcome is possible. Pereira needs to be more aggressive on the feet and put out a higher output to hurt the Champion. When he has done that in the past, it has translated to a ton of success for “Poatan”.
Patchy Mix to Win by KO/TKO/DQ or Submission (+150)
Patchy Mix entered the UFC as a former Bellator Champion and as one of the best fighters to never compete in the promotion. But Mix suffered a loss to Mario Bautista in his first bout at UFC 316 in June. Mix didn’t look like himself in that contest; he only attempted one takedown and was outlanded by 51 significant strikes.
Even though Mix is coming off a demoralizing loss, he has another opportunity on a big UFC event to show everyone who he truly is. Mix faces Jakub Wiklacz on the Early Prelims at UFC 320. Wiklacz is making his UFC debut and is a former champion in KSW, one of the top MMA organizations in Europe. Although Wiklacz is a talented fighter, Mix’s elite experience should be a key factor in this contest. Mix has already had his first UFC fight and shouldn’t be as passive in his second bout in the promotion.
In this fight, Mix has a two-inch reach advantage (5’11” vs. 5’9″) with a larger standing reach (71.5″ vs. 69″). Since Mix is a -340 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, the better play is to get him to win by KO/TKO/DQ or submission at +150. During Mix’s previous 15 victories, 13 of them have come by finish.
