The warehouse in Nevada is back in action as the APEX hosts another UFC Fight Night.
A massive 13-fight slate comes on the heels of a big pay-per-view bout that not many were actually able to buy. If you watched Magomed Ankalaev-Alex Pereira live last week, you were one of the few, thanks to issues with ESPN’s PPV.
Saturday’s card is expected to be much less interesting, as the promotion put together fights with huge favorites in potential squash spots.
It’s never easy to bet when you don’t expect an underdog to be competitive but, alas, here we are.
The fight card begins at 4 p.m. ET, with the entire event airing on ESPN+.
Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze betting preview
It’s not the best main event we’ve seen, as Vettori looks to get back on track in his return to the octagon after a nearly two-year layoff.
The Italian matches up with Dolidze, an opponent he previously fought and beat in March 2023.
Will this fight be any different?
Well, Dolidze pretty clearly had poor cardio in that first fight and was picked apart in the striking down the stretch, while Vettori did an excellent job sticking and moving throughout the octagon to rack up the strikes and win by decision.
Dolidze has talked about being in better shape for this fight, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
Vettori does a good job defending takedowns (69 percent) and as long as he avoids going to the mat in the first round, we can expect Dolidize to wilt from there. He’s not one of these collegiate chain grapplers.
Recommendation: Vettori by decision (+120, FanDuel)
Chidi Njokuani vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Njokuani, a kickboxer, has the size advantage, as well as the accompanying clinch work, to make this fight palatable to bet on the underdog welterweight.
The 6-foot-3 Njokuani should be able to fit dos Santos (5-11) in a spot where he can’t punch back.
Should Santos look to close the distance, Njokuani can utilize a strong clinch game that has given other fighters fits in the past.
Njokuani has sharp elbows, powerful knees and good punching power. Where his game falls short, typically, is the grappling department.
If dos Santos chooses to grapple, Njokuani could be in for a rough night. He doesn’t do that often, so I’m backing the underdog here.
Recommendation: Njokuani moneyline (+170, DraftKings)
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Rest of the UFC Fight Night card
Alexander Hernandez vs. Kurt Holobaugh: Holobaugh by decision (+500, DraftKings)
Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson: Fight doesn’t go the distance (+150, FanDuel)
Diyar Nurgozhay vs. Brendson Ribeiro: Nurgozhay by decision (+310, BetRivers)
SeungWoo Choi vs. Kevin Vallejos: Vallejos by KO/TKO (-160, ESPN BET)
Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Ryan Spann: Cortes Acosta by KO/TKO (+210, Caesars)
Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps
SuYoung You vs. AJ Cunningham: Cunningham by decision (14/1, BetRivers)
Carlos Vera vs. Josias Musasa: Musasa by KO/TKO (-150, Fanatics)
Stephanie Luciano vs. Sam Hughes: Luciano moneyline (-230, DraftKings) for parlays
Daniel Barez vs. Andre Lima: Barez moneyline (+310, DraftKings)
Josiane Nunes vs. Priscila Cachoeira: Nunes by decision (+120, FanDuel)
Yuneisy Duben vs. Carli Judice: Fight goes to decision (-150, Bet365)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting. During the football season he’s showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons. While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.
