UFC 249: Best three-fight parlay in Jacksonville

Highlighting Saturday’s UFC 249 with a three-fight parlay, with odds, analysis and picks.

UFC 249 goes off from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday night, the first live sporting event in the United States since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. While there will be no fans in attendance, that shouldn’t affect the wagering aspect of the event, giving sports-starved bettors finally something to wager on.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, May 7 at 8:35 p.m. ET.


Want to place a bet on UFC 249? Place them at BetMGM. New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!


Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone betting odds

Per BetMGM, Pettis (-150) is favored over Cowboy (+125) on the 2-way betting line, but that’s not the wager to make.

Pettis is 9-9 in 18 bouts at the UFC level, while posting a 1-3 mark across the past four outings, and 4-8 in the past 12. He has been knocked out in three of his past eight appearances, while four of his previous six victories have come via submission. In other words, he doesn’t see the judges getting involved in his fights very often.

For Cerrone, he is 0-3 across his past three outings. However, while he has been knocked out in those losses, it has been against the cream of the crop in Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson – the latter two are the main event Saturday in a bout for the lightweight strap.

Meanwhile, Cowboy is back in the welterweight class, where he has a little more experience. He was knocked out by Pettis at UFC on FOX Jan. 26, 2013, and only three of his previous 17 bouts have gone the distance.

The best bet here is to take UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-125) in our three-piece parlay.

Also see:

Carla Esparza vs. Michelle Waterson betting odds

Esparza (-159) is a moderate favorite over Waterson, a.k.a. “The Karate Hottie.” The latter hasn’t been so hot for bettors in the octagon lately, however, going just 3-3 in his past six bouts. More importantly, Waterson has gone the distance in each of her past five bouts.

For Esparza, all five of her victories have at the UFC level have come via decision, including four of the unanimous variety. She topped Alexa Grasso Sept. 21, 2019 by majority decision last time out. Avoid any bets on the 2-way line, but look to the OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-455) for part II of this three-fight parlay.

Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price betting odds

Luque (-304) is a heavy favorite in this early preliminary bout, but like the previous two fights, look to the round total play for the final play of our three-fight parlay.

Eight of Luque’s past 10 professional wins have come in the second round or earlier, and four of his past five have come via KO/TKO. Only one of his 10 victories have come via decision, too.

For Price, all 10 of his UFC fights have finished inside the distance, and he has never ventured into the third round in any of his bouts. Seven of the outcomes, win or lose, have been via knockout, with three coming by way of submission. He doesn’t leave it in the hands of the judges either way. As such, playing NO (-400) on WILL THE FIGHT GO THE FULL 3 ROUNDS? is the way to go.

New to sports betting? A $20 THREE-PLAY PARLAY wager on these three options will pay a little more than 1.74 to 1, netting a profit of $34.89.

  • UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS IN PETTIS-CERRONE (-125)
  • OVER 2.5 ROUNDS IN ESPARZA-WATERSON (-455)
  • NO (-400) FIGHT GOES FULL 3 ROUNDS IN LUQUE-PRICE

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.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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 on ESPN+ 28: Best three-fight parlay in Brasilia

Highlighting Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+28 with a three-fight parlay, with odds, analysis and picks.

UFC on ESPN+ 28 – also called UFC Fight Night 170 – is scheduled to go off at the Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia with the card getting underway in Brazil’s capital Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. The bouts will be fought in an empty arena due to the unfortunate COVID-19 situation. We’ll provide a three-fight parlay suggestion to help you build a nice bankroll.

Nothing is a sure thing, and it will be interesting to see how the fighters react to the empty seats. Once the bouts get underway and the first punch is thrown, the fighters should snap right into form. However, the walkout is going to be strange even for the most consummate professional.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.


Place a sports bet on this mixed martial arts action or other events at BetMGM.


Amanda Ribas (-371) vs. Randa Markos betting odds

Per BetMGM, Ribas (-371) is heavily favored to top Markos in a women’s strawweight bout, and you have to like the Brazilian fighter. She holds advantages in Takedown Average (2.71-1.38), Takedown Accuracy Percentage (57.14-27.59) and Submission Average (1.35-0.26).

Gilbert Burns (-189) vs. Demian Maia betting odds

Burns (-189) is a big favorite over Maia in a Brazilian vs. Brazilian matchup. The more versatile fighter is Burns, who has a record littered with unanimous decisions, submissions and KO/TKOs since joining the UFC. His versatility, and the fact he is nine years younger than Maia, will serve him well.

Renato Moicano (-358) vs. Damir Hadzovic betting odds

Moicano (-358) is also heavily favored over Hadzovic, a.k.a. “The Bosnian Bomber.” Moicano has dropped his past two fights, but losses to Chan Sung Jung and Jose Aldo is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. They’re two of the top fighters in the division. If Moicano avoids the big punch, and perhaps takes this fight to the mat for some ground and pound, it should be a much-needed win for Moicano.

New to sports betting? A $10 THREE-PARLAY wager on RIBAS (-371), BURNS (-189) and MOICANO (-358) nets a profit of $14.84.

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.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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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