UFC 284 Best Bets
UFC 284 is on the horizon which means it is time to get some bets down. Unfortunately, the card does not have the thickest slate of betting opportunities. The main card features several fights that you can put money down on; however, the prelims do not feature many fights that are appealing- at least from a betting perspective. Nonetheless, I was able to find a couple of solid bets for UFC 284.
*All lines are taken from BetMGM and are accurate as of 2:00 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 10.*
Islam Makhachev by Submission +150
The main event of UFC 284 is a special one. Alexander Volkanovski is looking to become a double champion as he moves up to lightweight to fight Islam Makhachev. The book really likes Makhachev though as he sits as a -400 favorite with Volkanovski as a -400 underdog. There is not any value on the side of Makhachev on the money line. Instead, the submission prop at +150 is the way to bet this fight.
Simply put, Makhachev is one of the best grapplers in the world. As much as Volkanovski should be able to land strikes while this fight is standing, I can have a hard time seeing him manage the wrestling of Makhachev. If Makhachev is able to land a few takedowns, his top pressure should wear on Volkanovski and open up submission opportunities. I will gladly bet on Makhachev to land a submission in this fight. The fact that it is sitting at +150 makes it even sweeter.
Josh Emmett +150
In the co-main event of UFC 284, the books like Yair Rodriguez’s chances of winning the UFC interim featherweight title. Not by much though. Rodriguez is a -185 favorite while Emmett is the +150 dog. I am taking a shot at the dog here.
If Emmett attempts to get this fight to the ground, he will be the one that looks like the favorite. He should be able to outwrestle Rodriguez and work his way to a decision win. Not to mention, he has absurd knockout power. The issue will come in this one if Emmett looks to trade with Rodriguez from distance. That would cause serious issues. Still, Emmett is a very live dog at +150.
Jack Della Maddalena by KO -130
Jack Della Maddalena is one of the top prospects in the UFc and has only looked better and better in recent bouts. That has resulted in Maddalena being a decently sized favorite in his UFC 284 bout against Randy Brown, despite the fact he is taking a massive step up in competition. At the moment, Maddalena sits as a -350 favorite while Brown is at +265. The play here is Maddalena by knockout at -130.
This fight is not an easy one, but Maddalena has a clear path to a knockout victory. Brown is very good on the outside, but he struggles defensively in the pocket. Maddalena should be able to get inside and land boxing combinations while wearing on Brown. This gives Maddalena a perfect opportunity to break Brown down and eventually win by knockout. At -130 I was willing to lay the money on that outcome.
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