UFC 312 Gambling Preview: Best bets for Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland, Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez, and more

Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland are prepared for Spherical 2.

UFC 312 takes place this Saturday at Qudos Financial institution Enviornment in Sydney, headlined by a middleweight title rematch between du Plessis and Strickland. Plus, the co-main occasion is a strawweight title bout between longtime champion Zhang Weili and the undefeated Tatiana Suarez. The remainder of the cardboard is — properly, it isn’t nice, however the high two fights are elite and the remainder of them nonetheless have loads of alternative to get some cash down and have some enjoyable on Saturday night time, so let’s focus on.

All odds are courtesy of our associates at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Single Performs

Tatiana Suarez (-118)

I’ve lengthy believed Suarez is a foul matchup for Zhang Weili. Whereas Zhang is well-rounded and an amazing athlete, Suarez brings a physicality and targeted grappling recreation that’s going to be arduous for Zhang to handle. Rose Namajunas scored repeated takedowns on Zhang and she or he’s not almost the wrestler Suarez is. I feel Suarez ought to be capable of get this to the ground and as soon as there, she’s way more harmful within the grappling exchanges. Add in that Zhang is 35 years outdated (mainly nobody stays champion within the decrease weight lessons at that age) and I like Suarez lots this weekend.

Tom Nolan (-104)

Nolan takes on Viacheslav Borshchev in a light-weight prelim bout on Saturday and it ought to shock nobody that I’m backing him. Nolan was my favourite prospect coming off Season 7 of Contender Series and whereas I might revise these rankings a bit now, I’m nonetheless excessive on his potential. Nolan is a huge light-weight with nice ending instincts and stable total abilities. His situation is in athleticism and “Slava Claus” shouldn’t actually huge an enormous drawback in that regard. Nolan can compete on the ft and may also take this to the ground if want be.

Colby Thicknesse (+285)

Thicknesse takes on Aleksandre Topuria on Saturday in an early prelim bout and this guess is fully a fade on Topuria. Topuria could also be a gifted fighter, however the reality is we do not know. He’s competed sparingly over the previous few years and all of his fights have come in opposition to dreadful opposition. If his identify have been Steve Williams as a substitute of Topuria, he wouldn’t be right here, so provided that, he shouldn’t be this huge of a favourite both. Thicknesse is a gifted prospect in his personal proper and ought to be getting extra respect than this.

Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Prop Bets

Dricus du Plessis by Factors (+175)

Honest warning, I used to be horrible on prop bets final yr, a lot in order that I ended doing them, however we’re going to attempt once more this weekend as a result of there are a number of I like. I’ve a full breakdown on this struggle coming, however the quick model is that I imagine it will likely be similar to the primary encounter besides Strickland will struggle the identical and du Plessis can have just a few new instruments in his bag, which means a extra decisive choice for “DDP” on Saturday.

Wang Cong by KO/TKO (+240)

Wang faces Bruna Brasil in a prelim bout and although she was simply on the unhealthy finish of one of many greatest upsets in UFC betting historical past, I’m not fading her this week. Earlier than she unexpectedly obtained dropped and tapped, Wang was cruising in opposition to Gabriella Fernandes, and everyone knows it is a sport the place loopy issues occur. The very fact stays that Wang has good defensive wrestling and bonafide energy at flyweight, and three of Brasil’s 4 profession losses have been by KO/TKO.

Kody Steele by Submission (+380)

Steele makes his UFC debut on the early prelims in opposition to Rongzhu and I’m predicting an enormous night time for him. Steele is a superb prospect coming off the most recent Contender Series season and extra importantly, he’s an amazing grappler. 4 of Rongzhu’s six profession losses have come by means of submission so we’re getting an amazing worth on a really sensible final result.

Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Parlay

At this level you most likely already know that there are few issues I like greater than a gimmick parlay, and whereas there’s an apparent Brother Parlay obtainable with Topuria and Justin Tafa, that’s not the one for me this week. As an alternative, UFC 312 options 4 fighters I graded as Round 2 prospects from the most recent season of Contender Series, so I’m teaming the three favorites collectively (Jonathan Micallef has a troublesome struggle in opposition to Kevin Jousset, and I’m a coward, sue me).

Tallison Teixeira (-146)

Texieria makes his UFC debut in opposition to Justin Tafa within the featured principal card struggle and whereas there’s no world by which he ought to be positioned that top, Teixeira is a legitimately fascinating prospect. He has an enormous body and he’s undefeated and younger, all of which screams potential at heavyweight, plus he’s obtained fairly polished abilities already. He’s nonetheless obtained some rising to do however Teixeira is comically bigger than Tafa and may get the win.

Kody Steele (-260)

I’m doubling up on Steele however that’s how a lot I like this child. The one purpose Steele didn’t grade out as a Spherical 1 prospect is as a result of he turns 30 in a few months and that’s outdated to be simply beginning out, particularly in a shark tank like light-weight. If Steele have been youthful he would have been one of many high prospects final season and I nonetheless count on him to make some noise within the UFC.

Quillan Salkilld (-650)

Salkilld takes on Anshul Jubli in an early prelim struggle and he’s an enormous favourite for a purpose. Jubli isn’t particularly dazzling and Salkilld is a really stable prospect. He’s unbeaten since shedding his debut, has an in depth beginner background, has fought actual opposition, and has well-rounded abilities and stable athleticism. The previous Everlasting MMA champion has a brilliant future within the UFC and it begins on Saturday.

Parlay these three bets collectively for +169 odds.

Wrap Up

Been a sluggish begin to the yr for us however for as unhealthy as this card could be on paper, loads of betting alternatives. Hopefully we get issues getting into the appropriate route.

Till subsequent week, benefit from the fights, good luck, and gamble responsibly!

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