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In a 3-round light heavyweight bout on the main card, Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic meet Saturday at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s UFC odds around the UFC 308: Ankalaev vs. Rakic odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.
The prelims begin at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN+, and the main card begins at 2 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.
Records: Ankalaev (19-1-1) | Rakic (14-4-0)
Ankalaev picked up a 2nd-round KO/TKO against Johnny Walker last time out in the main event in mid-January, rebounding from a 1st-round no contest in late Oct. 2023. Prior to that, he fought to a draw at UFC 282 against Jan Blachowicz in Dec. 2022 in a title fight.
Rakic has dropped the past 2 fights, both via KO/TKO, against Jiri Prochazka and Jan Blachowicz. He also has a losing record, going 2-3 in the past 5 fights.
Rakic enters the octagon with a 3-inch reach advantage, while also posting a 4.26-to-3.64 significant strikes landed per minute lead. The significant strikes accuracy percentage is nearly identical, with Rakic holding a slight lead at 63.74% to 63.20% for Ankalaev.
The Russian fighter has a slight 1.02-to-0.76 takedown average advantage, while posting a 31.25% takedown accuracy percentage.
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UFC 308: Ankalaev vs. Rakic odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of UFC odds. Lines last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Ankalaev -400 (bet $400 to win $100) | Rakic +300 (bet $100 to win $300)
- Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -160 | No +115)
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UFC 308: Ankalaev vs. Rakic picks and predictions
Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)
Ankalaev (-400) will cost you 4 times your potential return if you bet the favorite on the 2-way moneyline. That’s way too much risk for not nearly enough return.
Instead, let’s get a little more specific. The Russian fighter is a punching machine and knockout specialist. He has won 5 of his past 10 fights via KO/TKO, with only 1 of those KOs making it to Round 3. As such, ANKALAEV BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (+200) is a strong play on the 5-way line. You could play Ankalaev by KO/TKO or DQ (+225) on the 7-way line, but why not add the submission for a small price?
Over/Under (O/U)
NO: FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE (+115) is worth a look at plus-money.
Ankalaev has managed to go the distance in just 5 of his 13 fights at the UFC level. On the flip side, Rakic has had just 3 fights go the distance in 7 bouts since Dec. 8, 2018. Ankalaev is trying to get back into the title picture, so he’ll be letting the big punches fly early and often.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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