After being off last Saturday, the UFC is back at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for UFC Vegas 97: No. 6 Gilbert Burns vs. No. 8 Sean Brady. The co-main event features former Women’s Flyweight champion No. 6 Jessica Andrade taking on No. 8 Natalia Silva. This card will take place from the UFC Apex, with the main card starting a little earlier than usual at 7 P.M. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.
Two of the best fighters from Philadelphia are fighting on this card. Andre Petroski is starting it off in the second fight of the card vs. Dylan Budka in a middleweight bout. Brady, of course, is in the main event of this card as well. Petroski and Brady are on the same team and train at Renzo Gracie Philly.
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Studs
Andre Petroski ($9,300)
Petroski, 33, is 11-4 while 8-2 in the UFC so far. He started his UFC career on a hot streak, winning five straight fights but then getting knocked out in two consecutive fights. Although Petroski suffered a few losses, he returned in July and staying active paid off for him, as he won a unanimous decision against Josh Fremd.
Petroski faces Dylan Budka, who is 24 years old and has a career record of 7-3. In Budka’s first fight in the UFC, Cesar Almeida knocked him out in the second round in April 2024. Both fighters stand at 6’0″ while Budka a slight two-inch edge in the reach department.
Petroski averages three significant strikes per minute, while Budka only lands one strike. Petroski also has a great striking defense, as his opponents only land 50 percent of their strikes against him. Petroski has the advantage when the fight goes to the ground, landing 56 percent of his takedowns while averaging four takedowns per 15 minutes. If Petroski is aggressive early on in this fight and gets the fight to the ground, he will provide great value to your fantasy lineup. Petroski is a -270 favorite, while Budka is the +220 underdog on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Sean Brady ($8,700)
Brady, 31, is in a prime position to enter title contention at 170 pounds if he can win over the former title challenger and veteran Gilbert “Durinho” Burns. This is a tall task for Brady as he has never fought someone in the UFC’s top 15. Brady has an impressive record, 16-1, and is 6-1 in his UFC career until now.
Burns is 38 years old and lost his two fights against Jack Della Maddalena and Belal Muhammad. Both fighters stand at 5’10”, but Brady has a one-inch reach advantage. Each guy is excellent when the fight goes to the ground, but Brady has the edge in the striking department as he is the more accurate and precise puncher. Brady has a 53 percent significant strike rate, while Burns is only 48 percent, landing 3.77 strikes per minute. Brady hasn’t fought at the level of a wrestler like Burns but still has an impressive 87 percent takedown defense while taking down opponents at a 57 percent clip.
Brady should be able to get the job done in this fight no matter if it stays standing or goes to the ground. However, if they stand up more often, it favors Brady, and he should bring great value to your lineup. Right now, Brady is the -185 favorite, while Durinho is +154 to silence the hungry up-and-coming fighter. Burns is +195 to win by way of finish (KO/TKO/DQ or Submission), while Brady is +240 to get a win by way of stoppage.
Value Play
Felipe dos Santos ($7,700)
dos Santos, 23, is a member of the legendary Brazilian gym Chute Box Diego Lima, where former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira trains. Also, top Welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry has moved to Brazil and has recently called Chute Box home. dos Santos is 8-1 in his career while being 1-1 in the UFC. He is currently the +150 underdog while his opponent Andre Lima is -180 to get the job done.
dos Santos has a three-inch edge in reach while both fighters stand at an even 5’7″. dos Santos won by split decision in his previous fight against Victor Altamirano and lost to top-15 Flyweight contender Manel Kape in his UFC debut in 2023. Lima is a more efficient striker on the feet, landing 56 percent of his significant strikes, while Lima only lands 34 percent of his. This will be a fun, exciting primary striking matchup, but if the fight goes to the ground, it favors Lima as he has three career submissions.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $350K Throwdown [$100K to 1st]
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