Alex Pereira returns to the octagon!
This Saturday, Pereira defends his light heavyweight championship against Magomed Ankalaev in the headline event of UFC 313. Before that, Justin Gaethje will compete for the first time since his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, facing Rafael Fiziev in a rematch.
It’s a pay-per-view weekend, promising exciting fights, so let’s delve into the betting odds.
Rafael Fiziev (-178)
Fiziev is stepping in on short notice to fight Gaethje, replacing the injured Dan Hooker, which appears to be a challenging situation for Gaethje. While “The Highlight” won their previous fight, it was a very close victory. Now, Gaethje is 36 and recovering from a brutal knockout. This raises more concerns than Fiziev’s recent inactivity and knee injury. It seems Fiziev has a good chance to avenge his earlier loss this Saturday.
Jalin Turner (+102)
I am a long-time supporter of Jalin Turner. Ignacio Bahamondes presents an interesting matchup as one of the few lightweights who can match Turner in size, but he’s unlikely to exploit Turner’s weakness: grappling. Turner is a dynamic and dangerous striker. He could easily have a two-fight win streak if he had been more decisive against Renato Moicano, and I anticipate him returning to the win column emphatically this Saturday.
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev to End by KO/TKO (-155)
A detailed breakdown of this main event fight is forthcoming, but Saturday’s headliner seems like an incredibly tight contest. These are arguably the top two light heavyweights globally, both possessing significant offensive capabilities. Pereira’s wins often come by knockout, and over half of Ankalaev’s victories are also by KO or TKO. Both fighters have knockout power on their feet, and if the fight goes to the ground, Ankalaev has the ground-and-pound skills to finish it there. This betting line offers good value for what seems like the most probable outcome.
Armen Petrosyan by KO/TKO (+210)
Petrosyan is set to face Brunno Ferreira in a preliminary bout that is remarkably well-matched. Why? Because Petrosyan is nicknamed “Superman” and Ferreira is “The Hulk!” This is reminiscent of a classic DC vs. Marvel showdown, available on ESPN+!
Fortunately, we can predict the fight’s outcome based on the Superman vs. Hulk encounter in Marvel vs. DC 3. Despite Merged Hulk putting up a strong fight, Superman ultimately defeats Bruce Banner by knockout. Expect a similar result this Saturday.
We skipped Gimmick Parlays last week, and surprisingly, it would have been a winning bet! Despite the missed opportunity, we are back this week with renewed enthusiasm. Several Gimmick Parlay options are available for Saturday, but consider the Santos Parlay?
Mauricio Ruffy (-520)
You might exclaim, “But Jed, this fighter isn’t named Santos!”
However, Mauricio’s surname is indeed Santos, but he uses Ruffy, apparently a character from One Piece. While respecting King Green, he seems to be declining, and Ruffy, backed by the Fighting Nerds magic, is expected to win.
Mairon Santos (-340)
Mairon Santos, the latest Ultimate Fighter winner, makes his first post-TUF UFC appearance against Francis Marshall on the prelims. Although being a “TUF Winner” isn’t as significant as it once was, Santos is a promising prospect and is likely to secure a victory.
Djorden Santos (-194)
The first leg of the Santos Parlay is Djorden Santos, making his UFC debut from Contender Series, against Ozzy Diaz. Djorden was not considered a top prospect in my view, making him potentially the riskiest part of this parlay. However, he is a capable boxer, and Diaz has generally lost against stronger opponents.
Combine these three bets into a parlay for +133 odds.
Last week’s win was modest, but a win is still a win. We welcome any wins. Hopefully, we can build a winning streak this weekend.
Until next week, enjoy the fights, good luck, and remember to gamble responsibly!
This article is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Readers are responsible for understanding and adhering to online gambling laws in their region before placing bets.
