Fight fans rejoice! UFC 300 features the greatest card of all time, and we have the pleasure of experiencing it. Let's not waste any time and take a look at the four best bets to place before the legendary card kicks off this Saturday at 6 PM EST.
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt to End In KO/TKO +110 (DraftKings)
The pair of heavy-hitting bantamweights will kick off the card on the early prelims. The combination of both fighters' skill sets and the emotion of starting a memorable card should lead to some heavy exchanges between the two.
Cody Garbrandt was known for his poor chin before taking a break from MMA in 2022. Since then, he has had two wins, one by KO and one by decision. He was hurt at one point during that decision win but held on to the final horn.
Meanwhile, Figueiredo has shown some power since moving up to 135 late last year. He almost finished Rob Font in his debut in the division, which would've been Font's first TKO loss. He’s also no stranger to being hurt in fights and has yet to face a heavy hitting fighter at 135 like Garbrandt.
Figueiredo is a heavy favorite in this one, with odds-makers currently listing him to win by TKO as the most likely outcome. At the same time, we know Garbrandt has plenty of power, and this one is favored to end before the final horn. Let’s take the KO/TKO prop and cheer on both guys to provide a strong start to the show.
Jim Miller ML +150 (DraftKings)
Jim Miller will look to add a UFC 300 win to his 100 and 200 victories when he takes on fellow veteran Bobby Green. The 40-year-old Miller hasn't shown many signs of slowing down with the company. He's been a winner in 4 of his last 5 and already has a win under his belt in 2024.
Green is known for his unorthodox, hands-down stance and will have the speed advantage over Miller, but Green was brutally knocked out by Jalin Turner just 4 months ago and has failed to beat top competition in his time with the company.
Miller still has some power left in his hands, with 3 of his last 6 fights ending in TKO victories. With Green known for having his hands down and the noted damage he's taken recently, I think we're getting the hard-hitting Miller at a great underdog price.
Parlay: Jalin Turner ML AND Diego Lopes ML +144 (DraftKings)
I like both of these fighters to get finishes on Saturday, so I'll parlay them at plus money odds. Jalin Turner will hold a significant standup advantage against his opponent, Renato Moicano. Moicano is a one-dimensional grappler but has dangerous ju-jitsu to force a sub-stoppage.
Although Turner has struggled with grapplers in his most recent losses, I don't see Moicano having the wrestling success that Turner's opponents have had. Moicano is used to being the bigger fighter in his matchups, so I think he'll struggle with Turner's 6'3 frame.
If Moicano is unsuccessful, there are not many who will expect him to survive striking exchanges with the heavy-hitting Turner. Diego Lopes gets his toughest test yet in Sodiq Yusuff. Yusuff is a great striker but is also one-dimensional and tends to lose his speed and power as the fight goes on.
Meanwhile, Lopes has shown the ability to finish fights both on the feet and on the mat. We haven't seen much of him in the UFC, but this will be his 30th fight at the age of 29, so he should have the experience to deal with any type of fighter the UFC throws at him.
I'll admit that Yusuff has shown some decent takedown defense. However, he hasn't been perfect and has been on his back in recent fights. Additionally, he's been hurt in striking exchanges in those fights as well. Based on that, a dangerous Lopes is hard to pass up here.
Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje FGTD NO -115 (Caesars)
The BMF title is on the line Saturday, and the UFC couldn't have found two better fighters to represent the belt. This number for a five-round fight is a strong play since both are expected to throw for as long as this lasts.
We know Gaethje can end a fight at any time, and we may see a more powerful version of Max Holloway now that he's had a full camp before another showing at 155. The favorite, Gaethje, has only been to a decision twice in the UFC, and both will be looking for a finish with a possible 300k bonus on the line.
Look for the third BMF title fight to end before the last horn, just like the previous two did. Place this and enjoy the carnage.
