One of the most anticipated pay-per-views of 2024 is here! UFC 308 from Abu Dhabi features the Undisputed Featherweight Champion Ilia “El Matador” Topuria taking on the BMF Champion Max “Blessed” Holloway. The Co-Main Event is an unbelievable contest where Robert Whittaker puts his No. 1 spot on the line against No. 13 Khamzat Chimaev. That bout was initially scheduled for June, but Chimaev was hospitalized.
Holloway and Whittaker are future UFC Hall-of-Famers, but Undisputed gold is still on their minds. Will the young and hungry fighters Topuria and Chimaev prove the future is now or can the veterans deliver their own “ya’ll must’ve forgot” moment?
The Prelims will begin at 10:00 a.m. ET, with the Main Card starting at 2:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Check out my favorite fighters to add to your daily fantasy lineup for Saturday’s UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $600K UFC 308 Special [$600K to 1st]
Studs
Khamzat Chimaev ($8,700)
Chimaev has had problems with weight cuts and injuries, but when he steps into the Octagon, he is always prepared and brings that warrior mentality. This is Chimaev’s first fight since he beat Kamura Usman at UFC 294 on October 23. So it has been almost exactly a year since Chimaev has fought. After Chimaev debuted in the UFC in 2020 and fought three times in three months, he has only had four fights in the last four years.
Although it is concerning that Chimaev struggles to stay healthy, he is still 30 years old and could get a title shot with a win over former champion Whittaker. Chimaev has been a fantasy scoring machine throughout his UFC career. He scored 92 FPTS in his previous win vs. Usman, but he had over 100 points in four straight fights before that.
Chimaev has an advantage in height (6’2″ vs. 6’0″) and reach (75″ vs. 73″) over Whittaker. This is normal for Whittaker, though; he adapts well to fighting bigger opponents. When you think of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC, Chimaev’s name comes to mind quickly. He fights with such an aggressive pace while being an incredible striker and wrestler. Chimaev lands more than one more significant striker per minute than Whittaker. Whittaker has a 59 percent defensive rate on significant strikes, while Chimaev is 15 percent more accurate.
Chimaev is 46 percent accurate in takedowns and averages four takedowns per 15 minutes. This contest is 25 minutes long, which favors Whittaker as he has more experience later in fights. Although Whittaker is a veteran and an excellent fighter, Chimaev has more ways to win this fight. If Chimaev successfully takes Whittaker down, another 100-plus point performance could be achieved.
Shara Magomedov ($8,600)
Shara “Bullet” is one of five undefeated fighters on this card. This is his fourth fight in the UFC, and he is 3-0. Magomedov is 14-0 with 11 knockouts in his MMA career and is one of the best strikers in the middleweight division. Armen Petrosyan is Magomedov’s opponent, and this three-round bout will open the main card on ESPN+ PPV.
Petrosyan is one inch taller (6’3″ vs. 6’2″), while Magomedov has a two-inch larger reach (73″ vs. 71″). This fight will likely occur on the feet as they are both skilled strikers. Magomedov is more accurate and lands more strikes per minute than Petrosyan. Magomedov scored at least 94 FPTS in two of his three UFC fights. He is due for a bounce-back performance after only scoring 74 points. For Shara “Bullet” to significantly impact your fantasy contests, he must pressure Petrosyan early in the fight and look for the finish.
Value Play
Max Holloway ($7,400)
Although Holloway is the +190 underdog on DraftKings Sportsbook, he is undervalued in this fight. Ilia Topuria is a tough opponent for Holloway, but he has fought tough fighters in the past.
Holloway has the height advantage against most of his opponents, and this fight is no different. Holloway has a four-inch edge in height, while both fighters have a 69″ reach. Topuria might have the edge in power, but Holloway is a much better all-around striker. Holloway is landing nearly three more significant strikes per minute than Topuria. Holloway is also the more accurate striker at 48 percent, while Topuria lands at 46 percent.
Topuria has a significant edge when the fight goes to the ground. When Topuria got into MMA, he was known as a wrestler and only recently developed an elite attacking game. Topuria averages 1.92 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 56 percent takedown accuracy. This is Topuria’s eighth fight in the UFC Octagon, and he is 7-0 with five finishes. Overall, Topuria has eight career submissions and five knockouts.
But Holloway is one of the longest-tenured UFC fighters on the roster and is making his 30th walk this Saturday. Holloway had his first in the UFC at UFC 143 in 2012. During his UFC career, he is 22-7 and hasn’t lost to anyone not named Alexander Volkanovski in the featherweight division since 2013. Holloway has had a Hall-of-Fame level career but still makes magical moments at 32 years old.
In Holloway’s last-second knockout victory against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April, he had 122 fantasy points. During his last five fights, he has had four wins and scored over 85 FPTS four times. If Max can slow Topuria down early in the fight, it favors Holloway, and he should bring excellent value to your lineup.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $600K UFC 308 Special [$600K 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.
