Tag: UFC 308 betting odds lines picks and predictions best bets

UFC 308: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC 308 odds between Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic, with MMA picks and predictions.

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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.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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UFC 308: Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC 308 odds between Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 5-round middleweight bout on the main card, Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev 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: Whittaker vs. Chimaev 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: Whittaker (27-7-0) | Chimaev (13-0-0)

The former champ Whittaker is looking to position himself for another title shot. Since losing to Israel Adesanya at UFC 271 for the title, he has rebounded with 3 wins in the past 4 fights, with only a 2nd-round KO/TKO against current champ Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290.

Whittaker has ended up going the distance in 6 of his past 8 fights since July 25, 2020, while going the distance 8 times in the previous 11 outings.

Chimaev is a perfect 7-for-7 since arriving at the UFC level, posting a majority-decision win against Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 last time out over a calendar year ago Oct. 21, 2023. He has finished inside the distance in 5 of the past 7 fights with the company.

Chimaev holds a 1.5-inch reach advantage, while posting a 5.72-to-4.58 significant strikes landed per minute lead. Chimaev is way more accurate on those strikes, posting a 70.43% mark to just 45.96% for Whittaker. Chimaev is also much better in the ground game, posting a 3.99 takedown average and 2.66 submission average. On the flip side, Whittaker has a 0.80 takedown average and just a 38.10% takedown accuracy percentage.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 308: Whittaker vs. Chimaev 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 10:05 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Whittaker +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Chimaev -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over -110 | Under -120)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +250 | No -375)

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UFC 308: Whittaker vs. Chimaev picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

Chimaev (-225) seems like an unstoppable force, but Whittaker (+185) is a tough customer. However, it’s all about the unbeaten fighter who is representing the host nation of United Arab Emirates. You can’t risk more than 2 times your potential return on the 2-way line, as it is just too expensive for a standalone wager.

This is a titanic battle, and Chimaev has ended up going the distance in 2 of the past 3 fights. Whittaker has needed the help of the judges in 6 of the previous 8 outings.

CHIMAEV BY DECISION (+600) is worth a roll of the dice for the chance to multiply your initial return by 6 times.

Over/Under (O/U)

YES: FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE (+250) is a strong play for the chance to win 2½ times your money, especially if you want action on the fight and you’d prefer not to declare a winner.

In 10 of the past 15 fights for Whittaker, he has ended up going the distance dating back to Nov. 14, 2015. Chimaev has ended up needing the help of the judges twice in the past 3 outings.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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UFC 308: Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC 308 odds between Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 5-round featherweight championship bout in the main event, Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway 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: Topuria vs. Holloway 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: Topuria (15-0-0) | Holloway (26-7-0)

Topuria puts his strap on the line for the 1st time after claiming the featherweight championship against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. He has won all 7 fights at the UFC level, with just 2 of those bouts going the distance. He has 4 KO/TKO wins, including the title bout against Volkanovski, while submitting Bryce Mitchell at UFC 282.

Holloway has won 3 straight fights since a unanimous-decision loss to Volkanovski in a title fight at UFC 276. He has back-to-back KO/TKO wins over Justin Gaethje and Chan Sung Jung, but prior to that he had 8 consecutive decisions, going 4-4 in those fights.

The Georgian champ is 5 years younger than “Blessed”, although the latter has a 7.17-to-4.40 significant strikes landed per minute advantage over Topuria. The significant strikes accuracy percentage is basically even, with Holloway at 49.64% and Topuria at 49.40%.

In the ground game, Topuria is very good, posting a 1.92 takedown average, while he is 56.25% in takedown accuracy percentage. The champ has a sparkling 1.28 submission average, to just 0.32 for Holloway.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway 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 9:44 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Topuria -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Holloway +225 (bet $100 to win $225)
  • Over/Under: 4.5 rounds (Over +100 | Under -130)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +120 | No -165)

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UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

Topuria (-275) will set you back nearly 3 times your potential return, and there is no way to justify betting that straight up. If you were to toss the Georgian champ into a multi-leg parlay, it could be excused betting such a high number.

However, let’s get a little more specific. Holloway (+225) has ended up going the distance in 8 of the past 10 fights. While Topuria has had just 1 fight go the distance in the past 6 outings, this is a huge step up in opponent.

Look for TOPURIA BY POINTS (+250) to get the job done in a knockdown, drag-out fight.

Over/Under (O/U)

YES: FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE (+120) is worth a look at plus-money.

Topuria has ended up fighting into the 2nd round in each of the past 4 outings, while winning via unanimous decision against Josh Emmett in the main event June 24, 2023, in a Fight Night.

For Holloway, he has ended up going the distance 8 times in the past 10 outings, and the Gaethje knockout at UFC 300 came at 4:59 of Round 5, just a single second short of going the distance.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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