UFC Vegas 73 Best Bets

UFC Vegas 73 Best Bets

It is time to place some bets on UFC Vegas 73. While this slate is not the most entertaining UFC card, it does have some betting potential. Let’s take advantage of that potential and take a look at three of the best bets for the event. 

(*All lines are taken from BetMGM and are accurate as of 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, May 19, 2023.*)

Mackenzie Dern via Submission +150

In the main event of UFC Vegas 73, Mackenzie Dern will fight Angela Hill. Dern currently sits as a -175 favorite while Hill is a +145 underdog. I like Dern to win this fight by submission at +150. 

Dern is an outstanding BJJ practitioner. On the ground, she has the ability to submit anyone. The issue is that Dern has poor wrestling and struggles to get the fight to the ground. I am not as worried about that in this fight, though.

Since this bout will be five rounds, she will have more time to chase a submission. If Hill wants to beat Dern, she will need to be perfect in the grappling realm for five rounds. That is a tough task. I think Dern can eventually find a submission before the fight ends. At +150, Dern to win by submission will be a play for me. 

Emily Ducote +130

At UFC Vegas 73, Emily Ducote will fight Lupita Godinez. Godinez is a -160 favorite while Ducote is a +130 underdog. I am playing the dog in this one. 

In this fight, Godinez is the favorite because of her upside as a wrestler. In a lot of fights, she has been able to find success with strong offensive grappling. Typically, I would value that, but Godinez has not looked to grapple as much in her most recent fights. On the feet, I give Ducote the edge. I think she is a more technical striker, boasting solid boxing and good leg kicks. Meanwhile, Godinez is more of a power striker that likes to pressure her opponents. 

If Godinez heavily wrestles, this play may be in trouble. I am willing to take that risk at a +130 price, though. Ducote is not a terrible grappler either so she could manage in that department. Regardless, I think this line is too wide. In that scenario, I have to play the dog. 

Sean O’Malley will fight Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292

Hayisaer Maheshate +130

The UFC Vegas 73 prelims feature a lightweight bout between Hayisaer Maheshate and Viacheslav Borshchev. Borshchev is currently the favorite at -160 while Maheshate is a +130 underdog. I am betting on the underdog, Maheshate, in this fight. 

Maheshate and Borshchev are each talented strikers that struggle to defend grappling. In this fight, each fighter should have the opportunity to put their striking on display as neither looks to wrestle. 

Maheshate is a long and powerful striker. On the outside, his straight punches have lethal power and he uses front kicks to control range. On the inside, he attacks with knees and elbows. Meanwhile, Borshchev likes to crash the distance and throw hooks on the inside. This is typically successful because he has solid technique and attacks the head and body. 

I like Maheshate in this fight. On the outside, Maheshate is the more talented striker. From the range, he should be able to land better shots. If Borshchev looks to crash the distance and throws hooks on the inside, Maheshate can counter with knees and elbows.

The only concern I have with Maheshate is that he will struggle defensively on the inside if he does not counter. Still, he has the offensive skills to detour Borshchev from pressuring. 

I would be playing Maheshate based on the skills alone, but he is also the younger fighter. Maheshate, 23, is far more likely to show improvements in comparison to the 31-year-old Borshchev. That makes Maheshate of one my favorite underdogs at UFC Vegas 73.

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