For the second week in a row, the UFC will hold a fight night from the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Just like last week, the Main Event has massive stakes attached to it. No. 13 Anthony Hernandez will take on No. 14 Michel Pereira in a five-round middleweight bout. Hernandez is on a five-fight win streak, while Pereira has won eight bouts in a row. Both fighters have finished their previous three opponents, so this fight should deliver a fun and exciting contest.

In the Co-Main Event, No. 12 Kyler Phillips faces No. 10 Rob Font in a three-round bantamweight fight. Font has lost four of his previous five fights, while Phillips is 6-1 in the UFC. At UFC 299 in March, Phillips beat Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision. Font hasn’t fought in 10 months and is looking to get his career back on track at 37.

This card’s start time is the same as last week. The Prelims will begin at 4:00 p.m. ET, with the Main Card starting at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Check out my favorite fighters to add to your daily fantasy lineup for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira.

Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $350K Throwdown [$100K to 1st]

Studs

Robelis Despaigne ($9,400)

Despaigne, 36, lost his second fight in the UFC against Waldo Cortes-Acosta in May. Despaigne is a highly skilled martial artist who won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London while competing in taekwondo. However, Despaigne is still a raw MMA fighter with a ground game that has yet to be developed. Despaigne excels when he faces off against someone who is also a standup fighter. That is the case for his next opponent this weekend against Austen Lane.

Although Lane is also a tall heavyweight, Despaigne still has the advantage in reach (84″ vs. 80″) and height (6’7″ vs. 6’6″). Despaigne only scored 11 fantasy points in his last fight vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Despaigne struggled in that fight and couldn’t find a way to get to his feet. In his debut in the UFC, Despaigne had 128 points while having a first-round knockout. If Despaigne and Lane are on their feet for an extended period, there is a good chance Despaigne lands another highlight finish. If that happens, Despaigne can potentially deliver another exceptional fantasy performance.

Asu Almabayev ($8,700)

Almabayev will face nine-year UFC veteran Matheus Nicolau in a flyweight bout. Nicolau is taller (5’6″ vs. 5’4″) and has a larger reach (66″ vs. 65″) than Almabayev. Although Almabayev is a smaller guy, he is a better fighter on the ground than Nicolau. Almabayev lands almost seven takedowns per 15 minutes while having a 56 percent takedown accuracy.

During his three fights in the promotion, Almabayev quickly made a huge impact, winning his first three. Almabayev scored at least 105 fantasy points in his previous three fights. If Almabayev is aggressive early and can get the fight to the ground, he will provide your lineup with great value. Nicolau is the underdog at +170, while Almabayev is -205 on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Value Play

Michel Pereira ($7,900)

No. 14 Pereira is on an eight-fight win streak, while No. 15 Hernandez is red hot, winning five in a row. This main event is a close and intriguing matchup between two top-15 middleweights. Hernandez has a two-inch more significant reach (75″ vs. 73″), but Pereira is taller (6’1″ vs. 6’0″). Pereira has the edge on the feet as he lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute, and Hernandez is at 4.30.

Hernandez is a much more skilled fighter on the ground, averaging over six takedowns per 15 minutes. But Pereira is still capable on the ground, with an incredible 94 percent takedown defense and 55 percent takedown accuracy. Pereira is an excellent value at ($7,900) because he has scored over 100 FPTS in two of his previous three fights. Two fights ago, Pereira had 95 fantasy points when he submitted Michal Oleksiejczuk in the first round in March.

Pereira is the underdog at +114 to win this fight. If Pereira can stop Hernandez’s relentless attack, trying to get the fight to the ground, then the Brazilian should find success. It is rare to get a fighter of Pereira’s caliber in your lineup at this low price. Although Hernandez is an elite fighter on the ground, Pereira is a much more well-rounded athlete and has more ways to get the victory on Saturday.

Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $350K Throwdown [$100K to 1st]

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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is ryanwohl) 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 skill 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.