UFC 266 is here, and there are 13 fights lined up. As always, when shopping for the best UFC betting lines, make sure to use Awesemo OddsShopper to find the top odds at various sportsbooks. It is easily the best tool when it comes to shopping for the top ROI odds for the fights, and it will save bettors a lot of money in the long run. Let’s dig into some UFC betting tips, props, picks and predictions for UFC 266: Volkanovski vs Ortega on Saturday, Sept. 25.
How to Bet on UFC 266: Expert UFC Betting Picks
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega
Volkanovski is back for his second title defense at 145 pounds against Ortega. Volkanovski is coming off a decision victory against Max Holloway in their second consecutive matchup, while Ortega is coming off an impressive victory against Korean Zombie in which he showed much-improved striking. In Ortega’s previous fights he has always been the underdog but never a massive dog, and it is because he has fight-ending ability if he can get a hold of his opponent’s neck. This is keeping Volkanovski only a moderate favorite at -175, a line that still holds value. Volkanovski is the better striker and the better wrestler offensively and defensively. Volkanovski will try to keep this fight at range with his jabs and leg kicks to avoid clinch situations where his neck can be vulnerable. It is hard to imagine Ortega winning a striking-based decision, so without a submission finish, more often than not Volkanovski will win this fight.
Best Bet: Alexander Volkanovski -175 (BetMGM)
Jalin Turner vs. Uros Medic
Medic won his UFC debut by first-round knockout after doing the same to his opponent on Dana White’s Contender Series. It is a theme for his fights both in the UFC and on the regional scene in Alaska FC. That is where it becomes questionable; Alaska FC is a low-level organization, and Medic has not fought outside of the first round. In the first round he will certainly be live for a knockout. He likes to swarm his opponents and unload the tank. The unknown is, if the fight gets out of the first round, will Medic’s cardio and power continue to translate? Turner will have almost a five-inch reach advantage, and Turner has gone three rounds before, so his cardio should not be an issue. Turner is a tad chinny, having three career losses by knockout, but if he can survive Medic’s first-round onslaught, he will be the fresher fighter later in the fight. Turner is a small dog at +105, but this is also a very good live betting situation because more likely than not Medic is going to win the first round. If Turner is still standing, his odds will almost certainly be wider, so keep an eye on the live odds.
Best Bet: Jalin Turner +105 (BetMGM)
Jessica Andrade vs. Cynthia Calvillo
Andrade will be taking on Calvillo in a fight where both fighters have recently moved up from 115 pounds to 125. The move has benefited both fighters, but it benefits Andrade more because with less weight to cut the more power and cardio she carries. If the weight cut was not an issue, Calvillo is probably better suited for 115 pounds, as she is undersized for the flyweight division. In this fight Andrade is just better everywhere than Calvillo. Calvillo’s best path to victory would be to wrestle and find a submission, but Andrade is just a wrecking ball, and she will be looking for the knockout or to wrestle and employ ground and pound. Calvillo struggled to get Kaitlyn Chookagian down, and she looked like a fish out of water against her on the feet. If that happens here, Andrade has the power to end this fight. Andrade could also employ a heavy takedown game and finish the fight on the mat. The fight in itself is favored to go the distance at -128, but at +250 for someone who has finished fights before, there is value on these odds for Andrade to finish the fight by knockout.
Best Prop Bet: Andrade by KO/TKO +250 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
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