UFC 288 Best Bets
UFC 288 is set to be a historic event as Henry Cejudo makes his UFC return in an attempt to regain the bantamweight title. The remainder of the card is filled with interesting fights to create a solid slate of action. That means we have a lot of solid betting opportunities. Here are three of the best bets you can make for UFC 288.
(*All lines are taken from BetMGM and are accurate as of 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2023.*)
Henry Cejudo -115
In the main event of UFC 288, Henry Cejudo makes his UFC return to fight Aljamain Sterling. The bout is currently closely lined as Cejudo currently sits at -115 while Sterling sits at -105.
I really like Cejudo in this fight. To be clear, I think Sterling is a great fighter, but Cejudo presents him with a difficult stylistic matchup. Sterling’s game is centered around his grappling with a terrific mix of wrestling and BJJ which gives him the ability to control fights on the ground.
That said, Cejudo is an Olympic-level wrestler, and I have a hard time seeing Sterling consistently win grappling exchanges. On the feet, Cejudo is a much better striker. Sterling will have a length advantage, but Cejudo is far better technically.
If Sterling is unable to find success grappling, I think he will gas. Sterling fights at such a high pace that he wears himself out if he can not take breaks with control time. That presents Cejudo will a massive advantage in the later rounds. Not to mention, Cejudo has an outstanding fight IQ and is a proven winner.
I have a list of reasons to love Cejudo. Because of that, I am more than willing to bet on Cejudo at -115. Honestly, I would probably bet him up to -150.
Yan Xiaonan +165
At UFC 288, Yan Xioanan is set to fight Jessica Andrade. Andrade is a -200 favorite while Xioanan is a +165 underdog. I like the underdog in this fight.
This fight will mainly come down to the technique of Xioanan against the power and aggression of Andrade. Xioanan has really good straight shots and leg kicks while Andrade is an aggressive striker that finds success with her power and hooks. In that type of fight, I like the fighter with better technique.
I am concerned about the grappling of Andrade. If this fight goes to the ground, Andrade will have an advantage, though that does not completely throw me off this pick because Andrade does not consistently use her grappling.
At +165, I am willing to take a risk on a striker with more technique even if she is at a slight grappling disadvantage.
Khaos Williams ITD -150
Khaos Williams is set to fight Rolando Bedoya at UFC 288. Williams is the favorite at -350 while Bedoya is a +270 underdog. My favorite bet on this fight is Williams to win inside the distance at -150.
Williams has had a lot of UFC success. In the promotion, he is 4-2 with three knockout wins; Bedoya, however, is making his UFC debut, putting Williams at a massive advantage with his experience.
In the skills, Williams has lethal knockout power. That is not good for Bedoya. On the regional scene, Bedoya has been hit a lot. In this fight, if Williams is able to cleanly land, he will land a knockout.
I am playing Williams inside-the-distance instead of by knockout. That is because the inside-the-distance prop is lined at -150 while the knockout is lined at -135. That difference in value is not enough for me to play the knockout.
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