Category: picks and betting tips

UFC on ESPN 16: Dequan Townsend vs. Dusko Todorovic odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 16 fight between Dequan Townsend and Dusko Todorovic, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In a middleweight bout, Dequan Townsend and Dusko Todorovic square off at UFC on ESPN 16 Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The prelims kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Townsend (21-11) will enter the octagon standing two inches taller than Todorovic (9-0), and he has a five-inch reach advantage. That’s all well and good, but he enters this one with three losses in three bouts since arriving at the UFC level, including a pair of unanimous decision setbacks and a KO/TKO loss to Dalcha Lungiambula on June 29, 2019. He has managed just 1.15 significant strikes landed per minute and a 35.88 significant strike-accuracy percentage.

Todorovic makes his UFC debut after posting a unanimous decision victory over Teddy Ash in Dana White’s Contender Series: Season 3, Week 10. That was the only fight in nine career bouts to go the distance, as he has won by KO/TKO five times and via submission in three others. Six of his nine professional fights have ended in Round 1, so it will be interesting to see if the struggling Townsend can put up a little resistance.

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Dequan Townsend vs. Dusko Todorovic betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.

Todorovic (-334) is heavily favored, and you must risk over three times your potential return. That’s not worth the risk, so be a little more specific with your wagers. TODOROVIC BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+110) is a solid play at plus-money, although this prop doesn’t cash if he ends up winning by decision, or, of course, if he loses outright.

I like Todorovic to end this one before the distance, so take UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-118). Plus, look for the fight to end in ROUND 2 (+410) or ROUND 3 (+700). Yes, you’ll lose one end of this wager, but if the fight ends in either Round 2 or 3 you will be ahead considerably.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC on ESPN 16: Holly Holm vs. Irene Aldana odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 16 fight between Holly Holm and Irene Aldana, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In a women’s bantamweight bout, Holly Holm and Irene Aldana do battle at UFC on ESPN 16 Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in the main event. The prelims kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Holm (13-5) will always be known as the woman who took down Ronda Rousey, easily her most famous fight and win back on Nov. 14, 2015 at UFC 193. “The Preacher’s Daughter” has gone just 3-5 since, including four title fight losses in four tries. Five of her past seven bouts have ended up going the distance, and she has won each of her past two decisions sandwiching a KO/TKO loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 239. The southpaw has just 2.75 significant strikes landed per minute to 6.16 for her counterpart, and she also trails in significant strike-accuracy percentage at 38.98 to 35.21.

For Aldana (12-5), she looks to win her third consecutive bout. She is coming off a KO/TKO win over Ketlen Vieira at UFC 235 on Dec. 14, 2019. She has tremendous punching power, but she has won just that one time against Vieira by KO/TKO in eight bouts since arriving at the UFC level. She also will want to avoid going to the mat, as Holm owns a 0.50 to 0.28 takedown average.

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Holly Holm vs. Irene Aldana betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:49 a.m. ET.

ALDANA (+100) is a nice play for the mild upset at even money. She is a whirling dervish with a lot more fury in her punches lately. As long as she can keep the fight upright, she’ll be able to push past Holm (-121), who is favored slightly over the Mexican fighter.

You can expect this one to go deep into the night, however, and ALDANA ON POINTS (+215) is an attractive play as well, as you can more than double up. If you’re not looking to pinpoint a specific winner, but like the fight to go to the judges, take FIGHT TO GO THE DECISION (-209) for the finish result and it doesn’t matter who wins.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa special betting promotion for UFC 253

Special CO, IN, NJ and WV betting promotion for UFC 253 around the Adesanya vs. Costa fight.

UFC 253 is here Saturday evening and we’ll be treated to Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa as one of the two co-main event title fights. Don’t miss the full UFC 253 fight card and odds around each fight.

Adesanya (19-0) defends his middleweight title against Costa (13-0) and you can catch all of the UFC 253 action with ESPN+ by signing up here to watch the pay-per-view event, and don’t miss our how to watch UFC 253 viewing guide.

In his last fight, Adesanya won by unanimous decision in round 5 March 7th, 2020 over Yoel Romero. In Adesanya’s next fight, the striker carries a three-inch height advantage over his opponent, Costa.

Costa, by the way, also beat Romero in his last fight, August 17th, 2019, via unanimous decision in round 3.

Adesanya is the favorite to win this fight, per the oddsmakers at BetMGM Sportsbook. They have him at -182 odds, while the underdog Costa is at +150.

UFC 253 Betting Promotion

Eligible States: Colorado, Indiana, New Jersey, West Virginia

If you’re interested in betting on the event or specifically on the Costa-Adesanya fight, BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks, is offering a special UFC 253 betting promotion:

Bet $1 on either Adesanya or Costa to win, WIN $100 (in free bets) if EITHER Adesanya or Costa record a knockdown during the fight. Terms and conditions apply.

Place your legal, online sports at BetMGM Sportsbook.

UFC 253 Previews and Betting Guides

Get some action on UFC 253 by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

UFC 253: Hakeem Dawodu vs. Zubaira Tukhugov odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC 253 fight between Hakeem Dawodu and Zubaira Tukhugov, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In featherweight bout, Hakeem Dawodu and Zubaira Tukhugov tangle at UFC 253 Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view: Subscribe to the PPV at ESPN+ now.

Dawodu (11-1-1) checks into this bout with a 5½-inch reach advantage in this featherweight tussle. He tends to drop a flurry of punches on his opponents, posting 5.28 significant strikes landed per minute in his five bouts at the UFC level with a 46.61 significant strikes-accuracy percentage. He is coming off a split-decision win over Julio Arce at UFC 244, and while he has four consecutive victories, three of the four have gone the distance with one KO/TKO.

Tukhugov (19-4-1) will be looking to take Dawodu to the canvas as soon as possible. It’s where Tukhugov holds a decisive advantage. He has a 2.88 takedown average and a 56.52 takedown-accuracy percentage. Tukhugov is 4-1-1 in his six bouts at the UFC level, including a first-round KO/TKO last time out against Kevin Aguilar on Feb. 22. Four of his six fights at the UFC level have gone the distance, too.

Special UFC 253 Promotion!

Bet $1 on either Adesanya or Costa to win, WIN $100 (in free bets) if EITHER Adesanya or Costa records a knockdown during the fight.

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Hakeem Dawodu vs. Zubaira Tukhugov betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:28 a.m. ET.

DAWODU (+120) is a nice option as a short dog on the 2-way line, as he has tremendous punching power which will help him win the day, although he’ll definitely have to work for it. Tukhugov (-143) is also a solid puncher, and he is a strong grappler, too, so Dawodu will want to avoid going to the mat.

Roll the dice on DAWODU BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+480), too, as you can almost multiple your stake by five times if he can deliver inside the distance. If you were to bet DAWODU BY DECISION/TECHNICAL DECISION (+210) as a hedge against the first 5-way line bet, you wouldn’t lose much than just betting the 2-way line. But if Dawodu comes through by knockout or tap, you win big. It’s worth the small price.

Also see:

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC 253: Ketlen Vieira vs. Sijara Eubanks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC 253 fight between Ketlen Vieira and Sijara Eubanks, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In a women’s bantamweight fight, Ketlen Vieira and Sijara Eubanks get together at UFC 253 Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.

Vieira (10-1) checks into this one looking to bounce back after her first professional loss, a first-round knockout against Irene Aldana on the UFC 245 card on Dec. 14, 2019. Despite the loss, she is 4-1 at the UFC level, with two of her past three fights finishing inside the distance. She has wins against Cat Zingano and Sara McMann, so she has already proven herself as one of the top fighters in her weight class. Vieira is particularly impressive as a grappler, and she has managed a 57.14 takedown-accuracy percentage and 0.76 submission average.

Eubanks (7-4) has bounced back with a pair of unanimous decision victories after two straight setbacks to Aspen Ladd and Bethe Correia. She is also one who isn’t afraid to go to the canvas, but that’s a bad idea against a more superior fighter. She isn’t a finisher, and eight straight professional fights for “SarJ” have ended up going the distance.

Special UFC 253 Promotion!

Bet $1 on either Adesanya or Costa to win, WIN $100 (in free bets) if EITHER Adesanya or Costa records a knockdown during the fight.

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Ketlen Vieira vs. Sijara Eubanks betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:49 a.m. ET.

VIEIRA (-200) is a heavy favorite on the 2-way line, and just a little more expensive than I care to risk on a regular basis, but she’s a lock to win this match.

Vieira is a finisher, while Eubanks tends to rely on the eye of the judges. The latter is not what you want from a fighter, at least when you’re betting money. Take the fighter who wants to take it into their own hands. VIEIRA BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+360) is also worth a small-unit bet.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see:

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC 253: Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC 253 fight between Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In a light heavyweight title bout, Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz square off at UFC 253 Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.

Reyes (12-1) stands in two inches taller than his Polish counterpart, but he has a one-inch reach disadvantage. The southpaw has racked up an impressive 4.88 significant strikes landed per minute, while posting a 49.44 significant strikes-accuracy percentage. He has been champing at the bit to get back into the octagon after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Jon Jones at UFC 247 on Feb. 8, a fight he feels he should have won. With a victory over Blachowicz, he can claim the belt he feels he rightfully should be defending right now, as “Bones” vacated the belt in favor of a move to the heavyweight division.

Blachowicz (26-8) could ruin the plan of Reyes, as he looks to win his fourth straight fight. After a third-round knockout loss in the main event on Feb. 23, 2019 against Thiago Santos, Blachowicz bounced back with a knockout win over Luke Rockhold, a split-decision win over Jacare Souza and a KO/TKO victory against Corey Anderson last time out in a revenge rematch. His best bet will be trying to get Reyes down to the canvas, as a toe-to-toe battle cannot be won by the Polish fighter.

Special UFC 253 Promotion!

Bet $1 on either Adesanya or Costa to win, WIN $100 (in free bets) if EITHER Adesanya or Costa records a knockdown during the fight.

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:40 a.m. ET.

Reyes (-278) will cost you too much on the 2-way fight result line, so AVOID. Instead, Reyes is a better bet on the 5-way line, taking REYES BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (-103) at near even money. Reyes has a chip on his shoulder and there is no way he is losing this belt a second straight time.

As such, I think this is going to be a short fight, too. Reyes is going to fire out of the chute and try to end Blachowicz’s night early. Take UNDER 3.5 ROUNDS (-152), as the prop betting the fight will not go the distance (-223) is just too steep, as is Under 4.5 rounds (-200). In addition, pinpoint the fight finish for ROUND 2 (+400) and ROUND 3 (+650). If the fight ends in one of those two rounds, you’ll lose one, but still be way ahead.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see:

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC 253: Kai Kara-France vs. Brandon Royval odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC 253 fight between Kai Kara-France and Brandon Royval, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In flyweight action, Kai Kara-France and Brandon Royval will square off at UFC 253 Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.

Kara-France (21-8) is a whirling dervish, posting an impressive 5.27 significant strikes landed per minute, although he lands just 38.46 percent of those punches. He enters this bout with a one-inch reach advantage, but he is five inches shorter than his opponent. The Kiwi rebounded after a unanimous decision loss to Brandon Moreno at UFC 245 with a decision win over Tyson Nam on Feb. 22. While Kara-France is 4-1 since arriving at the UFC level, all five of those fights have ended up going the distance.

Royval (11-4) of Team FactoryX Muay Thai made a successful UFC debut last time out against Tim Elliott, winning in a Round 2 submission on May 30. That’s three consecutive submission wins dating back to a title bout loss at LFA 53 against Casey Kenney in November 2018.

Special UFC 253 Promotion!

Bet $1 on either Adesanya or Costa to win, WIN $100 (in free bets) if EITHER Adesanya or Costa records a knockdown during the fight.

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Kai Kara-France vs. Brandon Royval betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:05 a.m. ET.

Kara-France (-250) is a heavy favorite over Royval (+200), but you can expect that he is going to have to work for it. As such, betting the New Zealander on the 2-way line is just too risky.

Instead, take KARA-FRANCE BY DECISION (-118) on the 5-way line instead. If you don’t like him, but agree it’s going the distance, take the FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE (-167) prop under the fight finish section. OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-200) is a little steep, but also a sound wager, based on Kara-France’s five-bout streak of decisions at the UFC level.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see:

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC 253: Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC 253 fight between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

In a middleweight championship bout, Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa will battle for the strap at UFC 253 Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.

Adesanya (19-0) puts his unbeaten record on the line, and he also puts his middleweight title belt up for grabs. He will step into the octagon looking like the more impressive fighter, as he stands three inches taller than Costa (13-0), and he has an astounding eight-inch reach advantage. He took the title from Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 on April 13, 2019, and he has successfully defended his title twice since. Last time out was a unanimous decision against Yoel Romero at UFC 248. As impressive as Adesanya has been, three of his past four fights have gone the distance, and five of his past seven bouts have gone to the judges’ cards.

Costa is also unbeaten, and the last time we saw him was also a unanimous decision win over Romero back on Aug. 17, 2019 at UFC 241. Before that his first four fights at the UFC level ended in KO/TKO. While his overall record is impressive, and the four knockouts are nice, he hasn’t faced a fighter with anywhere near the pedigree of Adesanya, a.k.a. “The Last Stylebender.”

Special UFC 253 Promotion!

Bet $1 on either Adesanya or Costa to win, WIN $100 (in free bets) if EITHER Adesanya or Costa records a knockdown during the fight.

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:22 a.m. ET.

ADESANYA (-182) is worth a play on the 2-way line, although it’s right at my personal limit for betting money lines. Still, I don’t see any way that the lanky Nigerian fighter falls to “The Eraser.” He has shown no signs of slowing down, although it does worry me that he tends to go the distance so much, relying upon wowing the judges with his technical ability.

As such, I think OVER 3.5 ROUNDS (+115) is a fabulous play, as two of Adesanya’s three title fights have been unanimous decision wins. In addition, it’s worth a small-unit play to take ADESANYA BY DECISION (+300), as you can triple up if it goes the distance. If you’re not feeling an Adesanya win, but like the idea of a DECISION (+165) without selecting a winner, that’s a good wager, too.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see:

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa betting odds

Looking at the betting odds for every fight at Saturday’s UFC 253, including Adesanya vs. Costa and Reyes vs. Blachowicz.

Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, hosts Saturday’s marquee UFC 253 fight card. The card is led by two co-main event title fights, with Israel Adesanya defending his middleweight title against Paulo Costa, and Dominick Reyes meeting Jan Blachowicz for Jon Jones’ vacated light heavyweight strap.

All fights will be available on pay-per-view via ESPN+. The main card kicks off at 10 p.m. ET with prelims beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the betting odds for the entire card from BetMGM.

Also see:

Watch all of the UFC 253 action with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 253 betting odds: Main card

All odds via BetMGM; last updated Thursday at 7:48 p.m. ET.

Israel Adesanya (-182) vs. Paulo Costa (+150)

Adesanya (19-0) defends the middleweight title against Costa (13-0). Adesanya holds a 3-inch height advantage and 8-inch reach advantage.

Dominick Reyes (-286) vs. Jon Blachowicz (+230)

The No. 1 and 3 contenders in the light heavyweight division, Reyes (12-1) and Blachowicz (26-8) vie for Jones’ vacated belt.  Reyes, who’s six years younger than his opponent, is the heaviest betting favorite on the main card.

Kai Kara-France (-250) vs. Brandon Royval (+200)

Kara-France (21-8) is favored over Royval (11-4) in a bout between the flyweight division’s No. 7 and No. 9 challengers. Kara-France gives up five inches of height but has a 1-inch reach advantage.

Ketlen Vieira (-182) vs. Sijara Eubanks (+150)

This women’s bantamweight bout sees Vieira (10-1) enter as a favorite over Eubanks (7-4). Vieira is four inches taller with an extra inch of reach.

Hakeem Dawodu (+100) vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (-121)

Dawodu (11-1-1) and Tukhugov (19-4-1) meet in a featherweight bout with the tightest betting line on the main card.

Special UFC 253 Promotion!

Bet $1 on either Adesanya or Costa to win, WIN $100 (in free bets) if EITHER Adesanya or Costa records a knockdown during the fight.

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

UFC 253 betting odds: Preliminaries

Brad Riddell (-334) vs. Alex Da Silva (+260)

Riddell (8-1) is favored in this lightweight battle despite Da Silva’s (21-2) considerable experience advantage.

Diego Sanchez (+500) vs. Jake Matthews (-715)

Matthews (16-4) is the biggest betting favorite on the entire UFC 253 fight card in this welterweight bout. Sanchez (31-12) concedes one inch in height and reach.

Shane Young (-110) vs. Ludovit Klein (-110)

Young (13-4) and Klein (16-2) meet in a featherweight bout priced as a pick ’em.

William Knight (+140) vs. Aleksa Camur (-167)

Another light heavyweight bout has Knight (8-1) as a slight underdog against the undefeated Camur (6-0).

UFC 253 betting odds: Early prelims

Juan Espino (-294) vs. Jeff Hughes (+235)

The heavyweight battle between Espino (10-1) and Hughes (10-3) sees both fighters come in listed at 250 pounds. Espino has a 3-inch reach advantage.

Khadis Ibragimov (-157) vs. Danilo Marques (+130)

The first fight of the entire night is the first of three light heavyweight bouts. Ibragimov (8-3) is a slight betting favorite over Marques (9-2).

Get some action on UFC 253 by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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How to watch UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa; Viewing guide & Betting odds

Betting odds for Saturday’s UFC 253 fight card highlighted by Isreal Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa, with details on how to watch and bet.

There are two title belts up for grabs at Saturday’s UFC 253 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Dominick Reyes (12-1) will face Jan Blachowicz (26-8) for the light heavyweight title, followed by the main event in which Israel Adesanya (19-0) will defend his middleweight strap against Paulo Costa (13-0).

All the UFC 253 action is available on Pay-Per-View on ESPN+. Below, we look at all the UFC 253 details you need to know with MMA betting odds and lines for the main card.

Watch all of the UFC 253 action with ESPN+ by signing up here.

When is UFC 253?

The main card of UFC 253 is scheduled for Saturday at 10 p.m. ET. The main event should begin around midnight ET.

Where is UFC 253?

Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

How/Where can I watch UFC 253?

Catch the entire UFC 253 fight card, including Adesanya vs. Costa, on Pay-Per-View on ESPN+.

Sign up for ESPN+ now and don’t miss any of the action.

Want to bet on UFC 253? Place legal UFC sports bets online in CO, IN, NJ and WV at BetMGM Sportsbook. Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

UFC 253 main card betting odds

All odds via BetMGM; last updated Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Israel Adesanya (-182) vs. Paulo Costa (+150)

Adesanya puts his unblemished 19-0 record and crown on the line in a middleweight title bout against No. 2 contender Costa (13-0) in the main event of UFC 253.

Dominick Reyes (-286) vs. Jan Blachowicz (+230)

Reyes (12-1) and Blachowicz (26-8) will fight for Jon Jones’ vacated light heavyweight title as Saturday’s co-main event. They’re ranked as the No. 1 and No. 3 contenders, respectively.

Kai Kara-France (-250) vs. Brandon Royval (+200)

Seventh-ranked flyweight contender Kara-France (21-8) faces the ninth-ranked Royval (11-4) as a sizable betting favorite.

Ketlen Vieira (-182) vs. Sijara Eubanks (+150)

Vieira (10-1) enters UFC 253 seventh in the women’s bantamweight division and faces the 13th-ranked Eubanks (7-4).

Hakeem Dawodu (+100) vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (-121)

Dawodu (11-1-1) and Tukhugov (19-4-1) open the main card with a featherweight clash. Both fighters are currently unranked.

Where can I bet on UFC 253?

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