UFC 312 Gambling Preview: Best bets for Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland, Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez, and more

Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland are prepared for Spherical 2.

UFC 312 takes place this Saturday at Qudos Financial institution Area in Sydney, headlined by a middleweight title rematch between du Plessis and Strickland. Plus, the co-main occasion is a strawweight title bout between longtime champion Zhang Weili and the undefeated Tatiana Suarez. The remainder of the cardboard is — properly, it isn’t nice, however the high two fights are elite and the remainder of them nonetheless have loads of alternative to get some cash down and have some enjoyable on Saturday evening, so let’s focus on.

All odds are courtesy of our buddies at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Single Performs

Tatiana Suarez (-118)

I’ve lengthy believed Suarez is a nasty matchup for Zhang Weili. Whereas Zhang is well-rounded and an amazing athlete, Suarez brings a physicality and targeted grappling sport that’s going to be laborious for Zhang to handle. Rose Namajunas scored repeated takedowns on Zhang and he or she’s not almost the wrestler Suarez is. I believe Suarez ought to be capable to get this to the ground and as soon as there, she’s much more harmful within the grappling exchanges. Add in that Zhang is 35 years previous (principally nobody stays champion within the decrease weight lessons at that age) and I like Suarez loads this weekend.

Tom Nolan (-104)

Nolan takes on Viacheslav Borshchev in a light-weight prelim bout on Saturday and it ought to shock nobody that I’m backing him. Nolan was my favourite prospect coming off Season 7 of Contender Collection and whereas I might revise these rankings a bit now, I’m nonetheless excessive on his potential. Nolan is a big light-weight with nice ending instincts and strong general expertise. His difficulty is in athleticism and “Slava Claus” shouldn’t actually huge an enormous downside in that regard. Nolan can compete on the toes and can even take this to the ground if want be.

Colby Thicknesse (+285)

Thicknesse takes on Aleksandre Topuria on Saturday in an early prelim bout and this wager is fully a fade on Topuria. Topuria could also be a gifted fighter, however the reality is we don’t know. He’s competed sparingly over the previous few years and all of his fights have come towards dreadful opposition. If his identify had been Steve Williams as a substitute of Topuria, he wouldn’t be right here, so on condition that, he shouldn’t be this huge of a favourite both. Thicknesse is a gifted prospect in his personal proper and must be getting extra respect than this.

Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Prop Bets

Dricus du Plessis by Factors (+175)

Truthful warning, I used to be horrible on prop bets final yr, a lot in order that I finished doing them, however we’re going to strive once more this weekend as a result of there are a number of I like. I’ve a full breakdown on this struggle coming, however the quick model is that I consider will probably be similar to the primary encounter besides Strickland will struggle the identical and du Plessis may have a number of new instruments in his bag, that means a extra decisive choice for “DDP” on Saturday.

Wang Cong by KO/TKO (+240)

Wang faces Bruna Brasil in a prelim bout and regardless that she was simply on the unhealthy finish of one of many largest upsets in UFC betting historical past, I’m not fading her this week. Earlier than she unexpectedly obtained dropped and tapped, Wang was cruising towards Gabriella Fernandes, and everyone knows it is a sport the place loopy issues occur. The actual fact stays that Wang has good defensive wrestling and bonafide energy at flyweight, and three of Brasil’s 4 profession losses have been by KO/TKO.

Kody Steele by Submission (+380)

Steele makes his UFC debut on the early prelims towards Rongzhu and I’m predicting an enormous evening for him. Steele is a superb prospect coming off the newest Contender Collection season and extra importantly, he’s an amazing grappler. 4 of Rongzhu’s six profession losses have come by means of submission so we’re getting an amazing worth on a really reasonable final result.

Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Parlay

At this level you in all probability already know that there are few issues I like greater than a gimmick parlay, and whereas there’s an apparent Brother Parlay accessible with Topuria and Justin Tafa, that’s not the one for me this week. As a substitute, UFC 312 options 4 fighters I graded as Spherical 2 prospects from the newest season of Contender Collection, so I’m teaming the three favorites collectively (Jonathan Micallef has a troublesome struggle towards Kevin Jousset, and I’m a coward, sue me).

Tallison Teixeira (-146)

Texieria makes his UFC debut towards Justin Tafa within the featured major card struggle and whereas there’s no world by which he must be positioned that prime, Teixeira is a legitimately attention-grabbing prospect. He has a large body and he’s undefeated and younger, all of which screams potential at heavyweight, plus he’s obtained fairly polished expertise already. He’s nonetheless obtained some rising to do however Teixeira is comically bigger than Tafa and will get the win.

Kody Steele (-260)

I’m doubling up on Steele however that’s how a lot I like this child. The one motive Steele didn’t grade out as a Spherical 1 prospect is as a result of he turns 30 in a few months and that’s previous to be simply beginning out, particularly in a shark tank like light-weight. If Steele had been youthful he would have been one of many high prospects final season and I nonetheless anticipate him to make some noise within the UFC.

Quillan Salkilld (-650)

Salkilld takes on Anshul Jubli in an early prelim struggle and he’s a large favourite for a motive. Jubli isn’t particularly dazzling and Salkilld is a really strong prospect. He’s unbeaten since shedding his debut, has an in depth novice background, has fought actual opposition, and has well-rounded expertise and strong athleticism. The previous Everlasting MMA champion has a vibrant future within the UFC and it begins on Saturday.

Parlay these three bets collectively for +169 odds.

Wrap Up

Been a gradual begin to the yr for us however for as unhealthy as this card could be on paper, loads of betting alternatives. Hopefully we get issues getting in the fitting path.

Till subsequent week, benefit from the fights, good luck, and gamble responsibly!

All info on this article is offered to readers of MMA Preventing for leisure, information, and amusement functions solely. It’s the accountability of the reader to study and abide by on-line playing legal guidelines of their area earlier than putting any on-line sports activities betting wagers.