UFC 290 Best Bets
UFC 290 is set to be one of the most entertaining cards of 2023. The only issue is that it is a tricky card to bet. That is mainly because the majority of the bouts have sizable favorites. Personally, I am not confident enough in any of the underdogs to hunt a big payday. Instead, I prefer hunting props and round totals. Here are four of the best bets for UFC 290.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez FDNGTD -135
In the main event of UFC 290, Alexander Volkanovski will look to defend his UFC featherweight title against Yair Rodriguez. If you favor the champion, the money line is unplayable as he sits as a -375 favorite while Rodriguez is a +290 underdog. I prefer playing the fight does not go the distance.
I have a hard time seeing this fight go all five rounds. I see finishing potential in every position in this bout. On the feet, Volkanovski has powerful boxing while Rodriguez is a lethal finisher with great kicks. On the ground, Volkanovski has great ground-and-pound while Rodriguez has solid submissions.
I think Volkanovski wins this fight by knockout. I think he manages the range, throws boxing combinations, lands leg kicks, and mixes in takedowns. Ultimately, I believe he wears on Rodriguez before finishing the fight. Still, if Rodriguez wins this bout, it almost has to come by finish.
Either way, I think all roads led to a finish. I will gladly start my UFC 290 card with a bet on the main event to be finished.
Alexander Volkanovski Knockout +150
The second bet for UFC 290 stays on the main event. I also like Volkanovski to win the bout by knockout at +150. Yes, we are trying a couple of the bets to the same fight, but I like the value of each.
I will not say much about this bet. It is the same logic that I used above. That said, the safety net of a Rodriguez finish is gone, but we are getting a much better price here. If Volkanovski gets a knockout, both bets will cash and UFC 290 will be a great night.
Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja FDNGTD -140
The UFC 290 co-main event features a flyweight title bout between Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja. Moreno currently sits as a -225 favorite while Pantoja is a +175. Once again, I am dodging the money line. I would not argue with anyone that plays Pantoja. I think there is value in his line, but I am not picking him to win the fight so I am staying off. I prefer betting that the fight does not go the distance at -140.
This is another fight where I expect to see a finish. I think each fighter has a ton of finish upside. On the side of Pantoja, he usually likes to start with a furious grappling pace. In grappling exchanges, he has quick back takes and a lethal rear-naked choke. If he does not land that early submission, I doubt that he has the cardio to fight for five rounds. That will open the door for Moreno to finish the fight in the later rounds. I lean Moreno getting the job done late, but it does not matter if you are betting on a finish.
Dan Hooker vs. Jalin Turner U1.5 Rounds +100
The final bet that I like for UFC 290 is the under one-and-a-half rounds between Dan Hooker and Jalin Turner. The under currently sits at +100 while the over sits at -135.
Once again, I think we get a finish in this fight. I am confident that we get an early finish in this fight. Turner is a massive lightweight with absurd power. On the outside, he can land straight shots. On the inside, he can land knees and elbows. At the same time, Hooker has taken an absurd amount of damage in his career.
At this point, I am not confident that he is as durable as he was in his prime. I expect Turner to land hard a finish Hooker in the first round. At the same time, if Hooker wins, I think he smokes Turner with a counter shot in the pocket. Either way, the under hits. All in all, the under in this favorite will be on my UFC 290 bet slip.
***
CLICK HERE for more of our UFC/MMA content
Check out the Vendetta Shop
Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube
