UFC Vegas 67 Best Bets
The 2023 UFC schedule is underway. After a long couple of weeks, the organization is finally back which means we have fights to bet on. Thankfully, UFC Vegas 67 is a solid fight card with a bunch of closely-lined fights. Here are four of the best bets you can make for UFC Vegas 67.
*All lines have been taken from MGM Grand Sportsbook and are accurate as of 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13. *
Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov O3.5 Rounds -135
The main event of UFC Vegas 67 features a closely-lined fight between Nassourdine Imavov and Sean Strickland. At the moment, Imavov sits as a -140 favorite while Strickland is a +115 underdog. That is not the play though- over three and a half rounds at -135 is the play.
First and foremost, I think this fight will be close. In most cases, in order for an over to hit you need a close fight. I do not think we have to worry about that. I imagine that these two will stand and trade for the full 25 minutes. In addition, neither fighter is a prolific finisher. In 17 UFC fights, Stickland has gone to a decision 11 times while Nassourdine has seen the scorecards in three of his five UFC fights. Plus, all three of Stickland’s five-round UFC fights ended with a decision.
If you were to ask me who wins this fight, I would unconfidently say Imavov. Rather than picking a side, I think it is smarter to take the over and have a cashed ticket if the fight goes late. In that scenario, you do not have to worry about the judges costing you money either.
Dan Ige -125
In the co-main event of UFC Vegas 67, Dan Ige will fight Damon Jackson. Ige currently sits as a -125 favorite while Jackson is a +105 underdog. I’m riding with Ige.
I think this line features a lot of recency bias which is understandable. Ige has hit a rough patch and has lost four of his last five fights. The thing is, all four of those opponents are currently ranked in the featherweight top ten. Meanwhile, Jackson has four fights in a row. In that stretch, Jackson has not impressed me. I think we have two fighters that are at very different skill levels. Ige has competed with the best fighters in the division and has shown some great skills in those fights.
At the end of this fight, I think people realize Ige, who is only 31, has a lot more left in that tank. I can not help but lay the -125 on Ige.
Ketlen Vieira -125
Continuing the trend of closely lined fights at UFC Vegas 67, UFC women’s bantamweight Ketlen Vieira sits as a -125 favorite against Raquel Pennington who sits at +105. While this fight should be close, I am on Vieira’s side.
This fight will probably be close. These two fighters both have a lot of skills and are riding into this fight on win streaks. I am not going to provide an in-depth breakdown here (I will in the UFC Vegas 67 preview) because I think a lot of the skills are a wash so I will just highlight the difference makers that make me lean toward Vieira. Vieira is younger, bigger, and does more damage. In a close and competitive fight, I want those traits on my side. In addition, she has more finish potential. As I said, I am not expecting a finish, but I will gladly play with the ace up my sleeve.
This is a close fight with good value if you can pick the winner. Out of the two fighters, Vieira has the physical traits that I think can help her pull out a victory.
Abdul Razak Alhassan -105
Expect violence at UFC Vegas 67 when middleweights Abdul Razak Alhassan and Claudio Ribeiro throw down. The bout is nearly lined a pick em’ as Alhassan sits at -105 while Ribeiro is -115.
Before you think I am crazy for betting on Alhassan, I know he is not great but, neither is Ribeiro. I am just trying to fade Ribeiro in his UFC debut. I am not the biggest fan of Ribeiro because I do not think his style will translate to the UFC. If it does, I think he will need time to adjust. Simply put, he is not calculated. Riberio fights like a wild man and relies on his power. If he can land one massive shot, he will win. I am not optimistic about that outcome though. In this fight, Alhassan should be able to see the massive shots coming his way. If he can do that, he should be able to land the power shot of his own that wins him this fight. In addition, I think he could look to wrestle in the early stages of this fight in the hopes that Ribeiro tires.
While Alhassan may not be the fighter you like to trust your money with, he should be able to handle an underdeveloped prospect that is making his UFC debut.
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