UFC 281 Prop Betting: Ranking The Fights of This Stacked Card
UFC 281 Loaded With Electric Fights and Lucrative Props
The Best UFC 281 Fights Using Props
If UFC 280 was a loaded pay-per-view filled with big fight after big fight, then UFC 281 is looking to outdo it. The UFC held nothing back in its return to Madison Square Garden as it comes equipped with a blockbuster main event and an undercard filled with great matchups.
Using the UFC 281 prop betting odds, we rank the most intriguing fights from top to bottom.
Showcase Fights: #14 to #11
- 14. Blanchfield vs McCann
- 13. Arce vs Jackson
- 12. Trizano vs Choi
- 11. Esparza (c) vs Zhang
These fights are potentially one-sided affairs. Erin Blanchfield (-400) is the biggest favorite of the evening followed by title challenger Zhang Weili (-360). The former mauls her opponent like a mini-Khabib though Molly McCann (+300) is extremely durable.
Hence, Blanchfield to win by points on the UFC 281 prop betting odds is favored (-125).
Zhang, on the other hand, is expected to starch Carla Esparza (+260) to reclaim her UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. The Chinese star improved her wrestling and carried UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou, who weighs nearly 300 pounds! Her bout will not go to a decision (-165). The first-round finish in favor of her is going at +375.
Montel Jackson (-210) and Seung Woo Choi (-165) are also expected to beat their respective opponents. However, this is a toss-up as far as the fight getting finished and UFC prop bets‘ lines expect both fights to.
Fast and Furious: #10 to #6
- 10. Edgar vs Gutierrez
- 9. Gomez Juarez vs Kowalkiewicz
- 8. Petroski vs Turman
- 7. Hooker vs Puelles
- 6. Moicano vs Riddell
This group of fights either features furious back-and-forths with potentially violent finishes. The Edgar-Gutierrez and Gomez Juarez-Kowalkiewicz bouts are likely to go to decisions at -145 and -125, respectively. However, all four fighters don’t back down and will press the action, especially for Gutierrez (-225) and Gomez Juarez (-110).
Now, Andre Petroski (-210) likely dusts Wellington Turman (+165). The 31-year-old has finished all three of his UFC fights and is dangerous wherever the fight goes. Turman has been knocked out twice but is also a submission specialist hence the UFC 281 prop betting lines expecting this bout to finish (-190).
Moving back up to lightweight, Dan Hooker (-160) beats Claudio Puelles (+130) if the UFC odds are accurate. Hooker can win via a finish (+200) or points (+190). He has not finished an opponent in his last seven bouts but Puelles is a step down from the likes of Islam Makhachev and Michael Chandler.
And the featured bout of the prelims is Hooker’s teammate, Brad Riddell (-105) against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sniper Renato Moicano (-125). Either Riddell knocks Moicano out or the BJJ expert subs him. At -140 on a “Fight to go the Distance” prop, the sportsbook expects one of the two to happen.
Get Ya Popcorn Ready: #4 to #1
- 5. Ulberg vs Negumereanu
- 4. Azaitar vs Frevola
- 3. Reyes vs Spann
- 2. Poirier vs Chandler
- 1. Adesanya (c) vs Pereira
On to the five best fights for UFC 281. Carlos Ulberg (-120) and Nicolae Negumereanu (-110) will throw down until someone can’t answer the referee. It’s hard to see how this fight makes it to the final bell given some obscene striking stats: Ulberg lands 8.91 significant strikes per minute while Negumereanu absorbs 5.69. Ulberg to win by a finish is at +165.
Speaking of a strikers’ delight, two more explosive affairs feature Ottman Azaitar (-125) against Matt Frevola (-105) and Dominick Reyes (-210) versus Ryan Spann (+165). At -210 and -350, respectively, these bouts are the most likely to get finished per the sportsbooks’ prop betting lines. Don’t blink with these bouts.
Moving on to the best feature fight of the evening. Dustin Poirier (-230) versus Michael Chandler (+180) have never been in boring fights. It’s “blood, guts, and glory” for these two whenever they enter the cage. We could see a knockout here or a 15-minute firefight. The fight to not go to a decision is at -210, similar to Azaitar-Frevola.
And finally, the main UFC events are the trilogy for the UFC Middleweight Championship: Israel Adesanya (-200) versus Alex Pereira (+160). Bettors are siding with the champ even though Pereira has beaten him twice. The odds are undecided on whether this fight finishes or not. If it’s anything like the second fight, Pereira will sleep Adesanya (+250). But the champ has been indomitable and may have a surprise for his old adversary.