UFC Fight Night 280 Best Bets: Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres
UFC Fight Night 280 is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan, and will feature a main event in the UFC Lightweight division between Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres. Below, I have my 3 best bets for UFC Fight Night 280, all of which include fights from the main card.
In addition to my best bets for this event, be sure to check out all of our UFC Fight Night 280 predictions.
UFC Fight Night 280 Best Bet: Manuel Torres ML over Rafael Fiziev (-110)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook. Playable to -125.
Torres enters this fight with an MMA record of 17-3 and 6-1 in the UFC, averaging 7.29 significant strikes per minute with striking accuracy of 59%. Defensively, Torres absorbs 4.08 strikes at 54% accuracy. His grappling has been elite, averaging 1.72 takedowns every 15 minutes while boasting a takedown accuracy of 66% and a takedown defense of 90%.
This fight is evenly matched, but Torres looks to be the best betting option. Torres has already had an excellent UFC career and has won 2 fights in a row. Further, Torres has won all of his UFC fights by finish. Fiziev, on the other hand, is 1-4 in his last 5 UFC fights. With advantages in striking and grappling, as well as a longer reach and bigger frame, Torres is the better fighter, and the recent form of these fighters showcases those advantages. Take Torres.
Check out our full prediction for Manuel Torres vs. Rafael Fiziev
UFC Fight Night 280 Best Bet: Ikram Aliskerov Win by Finish over Brunno Ferreira (-160)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook. Playable to -160.
The second fight on the main card at UFC Fight Night 280 will see Ikram Aliskerov take on Brunno Ferreira in the Middleweight division. Aliskerov is 5-1 in the UFC, averaging 6.86 significant strikes per minute and a striking accuracy of 64%. On the other end, Aliskerov absorbs 5.47 strikes and has a striking defense of 41%. His grappling has been elite, averaging 3.20 takedowns every 15 minutes with a 60% takedown accuracy and a perfect 100% takedown defense.
Aliskerov is a heavy favorite, and rightfully so. Instead of laying a big number, I'm going to pivot to the winning method market and take him to win by finish. Through 6 fights in the UFC, Aliskerov has won 4 times by KO/TKO or submission. Ferreira, on the other hand, has lost by KO/TKO or submission 3 times in the UFC, which includes his most recent bout. Look for Aliskerov to finish this fight before the judges get involved.
Check out our full prediction for Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferreira
UFC Fight Night 280 Best Bet: Michal Oleksiejczuk ML over Abus Magomedov (-105)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook. Playable to -105.
The first fight on the main card at UFC Fight Night 280 pits Abus Magomedov and Michal Oleksiejczuk in the UFC Middleweight division. Oleksiejczuk enters with an MMA record of 22-9 and 10-7 in the UFC, having won his last 3 fights. He averages 5.85 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 53%, while absorbing 4.50 strikes with a striking defense of 59%. His grappling is decent, averaging 1.02 takedowns per 15 minutes. With that, he has a takedown accuracy of 42% and a takedown defense of 52%.
Having won 3 of his last 4 fights, Magomedov is the slight favorite in this one, but I see Oleksiejczuk as the better betting option. Oleksiejczuk has had an up-and-down career in the UFC, but one thing he excels at is striking. In fact, his striking volume is superior to that of Magomedov. Grappling has been an issue for Oleksiejczuk in the UFC, which is one of Magomedov’s biggest strengths. That said, Oleksiejczuk is in great form and fighting with a ton of confidence having won 2 of his last 3 by KO/TKO. I'm looking for that form to continue.
Check out our full prediction for Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Abus Magomedov
