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UFC Picks: Top DraftKings DFS Fantasy MMA Targets, Values for Buckley vs. Malott

UFC Picks: Top DraftKings DFS Fantasy MMA Targets, Values for Buckley vs. Malott

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By: Ryan Wohl

The UFC is in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for its upcoming Fight Night on Saturday, October 17. This card is being headlined by a Welterweight bout between Joaquin Buckley and Mike Malott. Malott is fighting in his home country of Canada for the sixth consecutive time. Saturday night, the Fight Night begins at 5:00 p.m. ET with the Prelims and continues at 8:00 p.m. ET for the Main Card.

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

Erin Blanchfield ($9,300)

The co-main event features a Women’s Flyweight bout between No. 4 Erin Blanchfield and No. 6 Jasmine Jasudavicius. Blanchfield, 27, is 14-2 with seven finishes and is in the midst of a two-fight winning streak. Jasudavicius, representing Canada, is 6-1 in her previous seven contests. 

Physically, Jasudavicius has the edge: she is three inches taller (5’7″ vs. 5’4″) and has a two-inch reach advantage (68″ vs. 66″). On the feet, Blanchfield lands more significant strikes (5.24 vs. 3.47) while having a better defensive rate (58% vs. 51%). Jasudavicius averages slightly more takedowns per 15 minutes (2.63 vs. 1.96) and has a better takedown accuracy (46% vs. 34%). Although she might try to take the fight to the ground, Blanchfield could neutralize that with her elite 78 percent takedown defense. 

Blanchfield is averaging 102.5 fantasy points per fight, which is the most on this card. She has scored 113.3 and 116.6 points in her previous two bouts. Blanchfield has also totaled at least 94 fantasy points in seven of her eight UFC wins. When Blanchfield fights at a fast pace and is the aggressor, she puts herself in a good position to beat anyone. Although Jasudavicius might be better on the ground, Blanchfield has the more well-rounded game, which should be the difference. 

Mike Malott ($8,400)

Mike Malott enters his first UFC Main Event on a four-fight winning streak and last beat former title challenger Gilbert Burns in April. Meanwhile, his opponent, Joaquin Buckley, has suffered back-to-back losses against Sean Brady and Kamaru Usman. Since 2015, Malott is 10-1-1 in his previous 12 contests, with his lone loss in that span coming to Neil Magny in January 2024. 

In this fight, Malott is three inches taller (6’1″ vs. 5’10”), but Buckley has a three-inch reach advantage (76″ vs. 73″). Overall, Malott is a more complete striker than Buckley. Malott lands 0.40 more significant strikes per minute (4.02 vs. 3.62) while being more accurate (48% vs. 36%). Although Buckley may have the power advantage with 15 career knockouts, Malott has scored a knockout in two of his last three fights and can put opponents away on the feet, too. 

Malott has scored at least 87 fantasy points in each of his last two wins. In the UFC, five of Malott’s seven victories have resulted in at least 87 points. Considering Malott averages the second-most points on this card (85.1), adding him to your lineup at $8,400 provides a ton of value. 

Value Play

Joel Faglier ($7,900)

Two undefeated Heavyweight prospects, Javad Mahjoub and Joel Faglier, are facing off on the Prelims. Faglier is 6-0 with five finishes, while Mahjoub has won four of his five fights by knockout or submission. Although Faglier has only six professional MMA fights, he also had a successful amateur career. From March 2019 to May 2024, Faglier went 8-0 with seven finishes as an amateur. 

Mahjoub possesses a three-inch reach advantage (76″ vs. 73″) while Faglier is slightly taller (6’2″ vs. 6’1″). Although Faglier is 10 years younger, he has more MMA experience, which should give him the edge. With two versatile finishers, this has the potential to be a highly entertaining fight that doesn’t last long. Faglier has won two of his last three fights by first-round knockout. If he can pressure Mahjoub and make him back up toward the cage, he should be able to find plenty of success in this fight. Since this is Faglier’s first UFC fight, getting him at $7,900 gives your lineup a ton of upside on this week’s card. 

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

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Ryan is a University of Arizona graduate and Philadelphia native. Since 2024, he has been a writer for DraftKings Network, primarily covering combat sports. He is a big Philly sports fan and loves to collect sneakers, as well.
Disclaimer

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.