In a heavyweight bout in the main event, Curtis Blaydes and Chris Daukaus meet Saturday at UFC on ESPN 33 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Below, we analyze the UFC on ESPN 33 Blaydes vs. Daukaus odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The fights can be viewed on ESPN/ESPN+ with the prelims starting at 4 p.m. ET and the main card starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Blaydes was knocked out in the main event against Derrick Lewis Feb. 20, 2021, but he bounced back with an impressive unanimous-decision win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 266 in September to get back on track.
Three of the last five fights for Blaydes, and five of the previous eight, have finished inside the distance. All of the stoppages have been via KO/TKO, with three wins and two losses in those five knockouts.
Win or lose, Daukaus has been involved in knockouts at every step during his UFC career. Each of his last 11 professional bouts has ended via KO/TKO, including all five of his bouts since joining the UFC promotion. He is 4-1 in those five outings, most recently suffering a first-round knockout loss to Lewis in December.
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UFC on ESPN 33 Blaydes vs. Daukaus: Odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Blaydes -475 (bet $475 to win $100) | Daukaus +320 (bet $100 to win $320)
- Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +210 | No -320)
[tipico]
UFC on ESPN 33 Blaydes vs. Daukaus: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Records: Blaydes (15-3-0) | Daukaus (12-4-0)
Fight result (2-way line or money line)
Blaydes (-475) is an overwhelming favorite in this main event match, but you can’t risk nearly five times your potential return.
The heavy favorite has a four-inch reach advantage, and he holds a 16-pound advantage, too. While Daukaus has easily been the more frequent puncher in his UFC career, going for 7.71 significant strikes landed per minute, Blaydes is the more well-rounded fighter with a strong ground game when needed.
Daukaus has been involved in plenty of knockouts so BLAYDES BY TKO/KO (-127) for the method of victory is the much better value here.
Over/Under (O/U)
There is very little chance this fight needs the judges to get involved, but No (-320): Fight to go the distance is not a good value with a risk of more than three times your potential return.
I like a three-round block for the better value. Take BLAYDES TO WIN IN ROUND 2 (+460), BLAYDES TO WIN IN ROUND 3 (+750) and BLAYDES TO WIN IN ROUND 4 (+1100). If he wins in Rounds 2-4, you’ll lose two of the ends but still be well ahead.
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