UFC 289: <\/strong>Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Amanda Nunes?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nunes (22-5) is universally regarded as the top female fighter in MMA history, and her journey is well-documented. She went 7-3 in her first 10 professional fights but then rose to prominence behind a run in the UFC that has gone unmatched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nunes came out flat and was upset by an inspired Julianna Pena at UFC 269 in December 2021. However, the 35-year-old earned her revenge and reclaimed the bantamweight belt with a dominant decision against Pena in their rematch at UFC 277 last July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A trilogy match against Pena was originally scheduled for the main event on Saturday, but Julianna had to withdraw due to an injury suffered in training camp. Now the champion welcomes the Mexican challenge as she stays active in defending one of her belts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Irene Aldana?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Aldana (14-6) lost her first two UFC fights by close decisions before winning five of her next six to emerge as a legitimate title contender. The 35-year-old Mexican fighter is widely regarded as one of the best boxers in the women’s game to go along with a serviceable ground game. Her durability and resilience have often drawn comparisons to Nunes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
At this point, it’s clear Nunes has the tools to beat anybody at bantamweight or featherweight. She’s proved that by making almost everyone she’s fought look average. Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling she has one foot out the door\u2014even if she looked refocused in her rematch with Pe\u00f1a.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Aldana will be at a technical disadvantage in most phases of this fight, she is the sharper boxer of the two women on paper, and she has plenty of knockout power to boot. And after she watched Grasso dethrone Shevchenko at flyweight earlier this year\u2014an accomplishment on par with beating Nunes\u2014she knows the upset is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Nunes we last saw on the cage was a far more motivated one than we had seen in her most recent loss, and if we see that level of motivation again, she should add yet another successful title defense to her name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 289: <\/strong>Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Charles Oliveira?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has not competed since his title loss to Islam Makhachev in October of last year. Since then there has been a developing doubt about if the Brazilian can recapture his greatness over the last few years. At UFC 289 he will look towards doing so, and against a high-level foe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Beneil Dariush?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dariush is in his best version heading into Saturday and is in the midst of an eight-fight win streak. However, during that hot run, he has never faced an opponent like the one he faces now. While he has what it takes to win this fight, he will need to make no mistakes to come out on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oliveira’s lopsided loss to Makhachev last year distracted a lot of people from everything he has accomplished over the last few years. Let’s not forget he beat Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Michael Chandler at the end of his 11-fight win streak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can, however, question Dariush’s level of competition during his current eight-fight unbeaten run. His best win was against Mateusz Gamrot and although he was really good in that fight, it’s hard for us to point to it and say that will be enough against someone like Oliveira.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 289: <\/strong>Mike Malott vs. Adam Fugitt<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Mike Malott?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Canadian prospect Mike Malott is getting a surprising main card slot against Adam Fugitt in what is likely a showcase opportunity from the UFC. \u201cProper\u201d has been impressive in his two Octagon appearances and scored first-round finishes in both bouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Adam Fugitt?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s a lot to like about Fugitt. He\u2019s got good size, veteran confidence and presence, and underrated power and wrestling. He\u2019s also not a great athlete and is already 34 despite being just two fights into his UFC career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mike Malott vs. Adam Fugitt Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This should be a terrific bout, though, regardless of how familiar viewers are with either competitor. Ten of Malott’s 11 fights have ended in the first round, while 10 of Fugitt’s 12 have resulted in a finish. Don’t expect this to last long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, we are counting on Malott’s quick starts, outstanding submission game, and the Canadian crowd to overwhelm Fugitt early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 289: <\/strong>Dan Ige vs. Nate Landwehr<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Dan Ige?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dan Ige is at a bit of a crossroads in his career, having lost four of his last six, but those losses came against Calvin Kattar, Josh Emmett, Korean Zombie, and Movsar Evloev who are all top featherweights. He is one win removed from a three-fight skid, and another loss will just about kill his dreams of fighting for the featherweight title in his lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Nate Landwehr?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Landwehr isn\u2019t the mindless bruiser he\u2019s often made out to be. There\u2019s intelligence in his approach. And once he gets flowing, he\u2019s difficult to stop, much like his nickname of \u201cThe Train\u201d would indicate. However, it takes him a bit to get going. Both his UFC losses were first-round finishes, not to mention being knocked down in the first round against David Onama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dan Ige vs. Nate Landwehr Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The big concern about Landwehr is that he gets wild at times, making it easy to get caught by someone with precise power like Ige. The latter should be able to pull this one out, but we are betting it goes the distance. The Hawaiian has some good knockouts on his record, but he’s not exactly Edson Barboza, and Landwehr has proved he can take a shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 289: <\/strong>Eryk Anders vs. Marc-Andre Barriault<\/h2>\n\n\n\nEryk Anders vs. Marc-Andre Barriault Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Barriault and Anders may not be huge names, but they’ve both been involved in some fun scraps over the years, and they will probably start this PPV with a bang. Eryk has fought the superior competition\u2014largely a product of the fact that he’s been in the UFC for longer\u2014but Marc-Andre is the better pick at this point. He can wrestle, and he has proved he has the skill and killer instinct to end fights on the feet and the mat. He will probably have a tough time finishing a durable veteran like Anders, but he should be able to convince the judges over three rounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 289: <\/strong>Nassourdine Imavov vs. Chris Curtis<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Nassourdine Imavov?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nassourdine Imavov (12-4) put together a 4-1 UFC start to earn his first-ever main event slot in Jan. 2023. When Kelvin Gastelum withdrew due to injury, Sean Strickland took his place, resulting in \u201cRussian Sniper\u2019s\u201d second Octagon defeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Chris Curtis?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chris Curtis (30-10) roared onto the UFC scene with consecutive wins over Phil Hawes, Brendan Allen, and Rodolfo Vieira. He now sits at 1-2 in his last three, including a \u201cFight of the Night\u201d decision loss to Chris Curtis in April 2023. \u201cThe Action Man\u201d has knocked out 15 professional opponents and submitted three others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nassourdine Imavov vs. Chris Curtis Final Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In Imavov\u2019s fight with Strickland, it was baffling to see how quickly he ran out of ideas. He looked decently sharp early but spent most of the last four rounds fruitlessly headhunting. It\u2019s not like there\u2019s any particular depth to Strickland\u2019s one-two combinations, so while Curtis has been out-maneuvered in the past, it\u2019s easy to see him bullying Nassourdine into the kind of close-quarters slugfest he thrives in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Curtis\u2019 slow start could potentially doom him once again, but he should be tough enough to weather the early storm and take over once Imavov\u2019s technique begins to devolve. In short, he punishes \u201cRussian Sniper\u2019s\u201d midsection to return to the win column.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 289: <\/strong>Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Miranda Maverick<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Jasmine Jasudavicius?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After grinding her way past Kay Hansen in her UFC debut, Jasmine Jasudavicius (8-2) fell short in a clash of Contender Series graduates against Natalia Silva. Next came Brazilian striker Gabriella Fernandes, whom Jasudavicius out-wrestled to earn her second Octagon decision victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Miranda Maverick?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A bogus decision loss to Maycee Barber and an indisputable one to Erin Blanchfield left Miranda Maverick (13-4) with an even split (2-2) in the world\u2019s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion going into 2022. Her efforts last year proved more fruitful, resulting in one-sided victories over Sabina Mazo and Shanna Young. Her seven professional finishes include six by submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Miranda Maverick Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This seems like a god-awful style matchup for Jasudavicius. She\u2019s too slow and lumbering to keep up with Maverick on the feet and is woefully out-classed on the mat. Though Miranda has struggled with persistent takedown artists in the past, Jasmine\u2019s wrestling is a step below the likes of Gillian Robertson and Erin Blanchfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jasudavicius is heavily reliant on being able to control her opponents from the top, which she lacks the skills to do against a wrestler of Maverick\u2019s caliber. In the end, expect \u201cFear The\u201d to run circles around her taller foe, pot-shotting in the standup and racking up takedowns to secure a one-sided victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n