UFC Picks: Top DraftKings DFS Fantasy MMA Targets, Values for Allen vs. Duncan

Saturday night, the UFC returns to the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a Fight Night headlined by No. 4 Brendan Allen vs. No. 10 Christian Leroy Duncan! This card begins with the Prelims at 5:00 p.m. ET and continues with the Main Card at 8:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+.

Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $300K Throwdown [$100K to 1st].

Check out my favorite fighters to add to your daily fantasy lineup for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event.

Studs

Loopy Godinez ($9,000)

No. 8 Loopy Godinez takes on Ketlen Souza in a high-stakes Women’s Strawweight bout at this week’s UFC Fight Night. Godinez is coming off a loss to Tatiana Suarez while Souza is in the midst of a two-fight winning streak. Souza scored a first-round knockout over Ariane Carnelossi in her last fight in June. 

Although Godinez lost her last fight, she is in a good position to turn things around against Souza. Godinez averages more significant strikes (4.43 vs. 4.11) and takedowns (2.99 vs. 0.45) than Souza. Souza is slightly taller (5’3″ vs. 5’2″) and has a two-inch edge in standing reach (63″ vs. 61″). 

In Godinez’s last fight, she scored 19.3 fantasy points; before that, she totaled 83 and 108.1. When Godinez is aggressive and uses all areas of her game well, she can put together an above-average outing. With Souza’s takedown defense at 53 percent, if Godinez is persistent, she should be able to take the fight to the ground. In Godinez’s nine UFC wins, she has recorded 80-plus points in seven, including four 100-point performances. 

Malcolm Wellmaker ($8,900)

In June 2025, Malcolm Wellmaker looked like one of the UFC’s top rising prospects. He started his MMA career 10-0 with eight finishes, including two first-round knockouts. But since then, Wellmaker has suffered back-to-back losses and is attempting to get back in the win column on Saturday against Otari Tanzilovi. After losing to Juan Diaz in May, Wellmaker moved to Florida to train at the legendary gym, American Top Team. Meanwhile, Tanzilovi is 10-2 with seven knockouts but lost his UFC debut to Shane Collins in June. 

Wellmaker has a one-inch edge in height (5’10” vs. 5’9″) and standing reach (71″ vs. 70″) over Tanzilovi. Tanzilovi is more accurate (68% vs. 55%), but Wellmaker averages more significant strikes per minute (4.58 vs. 4.20) with a better defense (52% vs. 49%). 

During Wellmaker’s first two UFC wins, he totaled 102.4 and 110.2 fantasy points. Although things haven’t gone his way recently, Wellmaker remains a talented fighter. After his first training camp at American Top Team, I expect to see an improved version of Wellmaker in this bout. When Wellmaker is defensively sound and displays his elite striking, he is dangerous for any opponent.

Value Play

Christian Leroy Duncan ($7,700)

This week’s UFC Fight Night features a top-10 middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Christian Leroy Duncan. CLD, 31, is riding a five-fight winning streak and is 7-1 in his previous eight bouts. Allen has won three straight fights and beat Edmen Shahbazyan in June. 

Both fighters are 6’2″ while Leroy Duncan has a four-inch edge in standing reach (79″ vs. 75″). On the feet, CLD has the edge, averaging more significant strikes per minute (4.45 vs. 3.75) and better striking accuracy (57% vs. 52%). Allen excels on the ground, landing 1.09 more takedowns per minute with 41% takedown accuracy. 

Getting Leroy Duncan at $7,700 is excellent value, given his upside. CLD has scored 99-plus points in two of his last four fights. Leroy Duncan has recorded 90-plus points in five of his eight wins. If Leroy Duncan can keep this fight on the feet, he should have the edge against Allen, who should struggle to keep up in the striking department. I foresee Leroy Duncan keeping Allen at range and picking him apart for as long as the fight lasts. 

Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $300K Throwdown [$100K to 1st].