The UFC returns to Philadelphia on Saturday night for the city’s first numbered event in 15 years. In the main event of UFC 330, Islam Makhachev will put his welterweight title on the line against Ian Machado Garry.
The reigning champion is a heavy -345 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Machado Garry is a +275 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 4.5 Rounds.
Along with traditional sports betting and daily fantasy, you can now have more action than ever for UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry. Check out DraftKings UFC Pick6 for my favorite picks for Saturday’s UFC event.
Islam Makhachev More Than 24:55 Fight Time
Rarely does a main event title fight feel as destined to go the distance as this one. Two-division champion Islam Makhachev (28–1, 17–1 UFC) is currently on one of the most dominant runs the UFC has ever seen, tied with Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in the promotion’s history (16). He’s coming off an absolute mauling of Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 — but despite overwhelming the defending champion with his suffocating grappling, he couldn’t put him away and “settled” for a lopsided decision win.
His opponent on Saturday should prove even tougher to stop. As technically polished as he may be, Ian Machado Garry (17–1, 10–1 UFC) fights as if he wants to get the judges involved. His last six bouts have all gone to a decision, including his win over knockout artist Carlos Prates and his lone defeat against stoppage specialist Shavkat Rakhmonov. Regardless of who wins, Saturday’s main event should go all five rounds.
Gillian Robertson More Than 9:30 Control Time
Since moving down, the jiu-jitsu specialist has posted the highest top position percentage in the division’s history (50.8 percent), while unleashing lethal ground-and-pound. “The Savage” will likely attempt to impose her ground game early, and she should find success in doing so against defending champion Mackenzie Dern (16–5, 11–5 UFC).
Also a jiu-jitsu scholar, Dern seemingly enjoys fighting off her back and welcomes incoming takedown attempts. She holds a meager 37 percent takedown defense and was taken down nine times for 9:07 control in her vacant title win over Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321.
Mansur Abdul-Malik More Than 103.5 Fantasy Points
Following his first professional loss, Mansur Abdul-Malik (9–1–1, 3–1–1 UFC) has a golden opportunity to pile up fantasy points at UFC 330. The American middleweight — equipped with a 100 percent finish rate — is set to face beleaguered veteran Dustin Stoltzfus (16–8, 3–7 UFC), who is extremely hittable and vulnerable to grappling pressure.
Four of Stoltzfus’ last six losses have come by stoppage — two by knockout or TKO, two by submission. His fading durability opens the door for Abdul-Malik to bounce back in a big way, clearing 103.5 fantasy points in the process.
Joel Alvarez More Than 93.5 Fantasy Points
Joel Alvarez (23–4, 8–3 UFC) may still be looking to establish himself at 170 pounds, but he’s won eight of his last 10 bouts overall. His only losses during that stretch have come against elite competition, including the 30–1 Yaroslav Amosov and top-ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan.
Alvarez boasts a 96 percent finish rate — highlighted by 17 submission wins — and has cleared 93.5 fantasy points in four of his last five bouts. He should follow suit against Chidi Njokuani (25–12, 5–5 UFC). Despite his polished striking, the grizzled veteran has dropped five of his last eight bouts. Nine of his 12 professional losses have come by stoppage.
Donte Johnson More Than 0.5 Knockouts
Undefeated prospect Donte Johnson (8–0, 2–0 UFC) earned a UFC contract by kickstarting his career with six straight first-round knockouts, punctuated by a 64-second decimation of Darion Abbey on Dana White’s Contender Series. While he’s still searching for his first KO victory inside the Octagon, he likely won’t be for much longer.
At UFC 330, Johnson takes on inconsistent veteran Eric McConico (11–4–1, 2–2 UFC). Despite coming off a decision win over Rodolfo Vieira, he’s a hittable striker with a compromised chin. All four of McConico’s pro losses have come by knockout or TKO.
Neil Magny More Than 0.5 Takedowns
There’s no question that Ramiz Brahimaj (13–6, 5–4 UFC) is dangerous on the ground, with 12 submission victories under his belt. However, he’s struggled against like-minded grapplers who have beaten him to the jump — getting taken down three times in his most recent loss to Punahele Soriano. He enters UFC 330 with a paltry 44 percent takedown defense.
Brahimaj now faces his toughest test yet in the crafty veteran Neil Magny (31–15, 24–13 UFC), a perpetual gatekeeper of the welterweight division. Magny is one of the most battle-tested fighters on the roster, and his only recent losses have come against truly solid competition. While susceptible to submissions, “The Haitian Sensation” is a more active grappler than Brahimaj and averages 2.17 takedowns per 15 minutes. He also holds a towering size advantage: five inches in height, eight in reach. Magny has the tools to follow in the footsteps of Brahimaj’s previous opponents and take the fight to the ground at least once on Saturday night.
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, 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!
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