On April 13 in Sin City, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will host an event to commemorate its 300th pay-per-view. Although it doesn’t quite reach the level of a Super Bowl in American sports, this milestone is nonetheless an epic moment for MMA fans, and we should anticipate a few records being broken.
This is #UFC300 😤
04.13.24 pic.twitter.com/Ns6GCr5daW
— UFC (@ufc) April 5, 2024
Despite its pleasant roundness, the number 300 is merely a string of numbers. However, the fact that the UFC has 300 pay-per-view events in the books proves how dominant they are in mixed martial arts, and no serious competitors are close to them.
As sports wagering is regularly tied with UFC events, we anticipate a plethora of casual bettors will get involved in the wagering action next weekend. On that note, it could be the perfect moment to capitalize on some juicy underdog prices at the UFC betting sites.
Following a brief scan of the current UFC 300 odds, I present the best underdog prices, which could potentially help you build a positive bankroll at the prestigious event.
Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill
UFC 300 Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event
The Underdog: Jamahal Hill (+125)
Brazil’s Alex Pereira shot to UFC stardom at an unprecedented rate.
In just over two years, the former champion-level kickboxer has won championship titles in two divisions (middleweight and light heavyweight) and has obtained a 6-1 record with four knockouts. He’s an incredibly talented striker; honestly, this man’s angry face could flip betting lines alone.
However, with an untested run at 205 pounds, we’ve yet to see Pereira succeed against a fellow heavy hitter who’s as striking and clean as Jamahal Hill. The current dog price on the challenger is very tempting.
Hill, 32, has been overlooked during his light heavyweight tenure, but to this date, he boasts a 12-1 record and is a former champion who relinquished the title due to injury. Regarding power, I believe he’ll be Pereira’s most powerful opponent and significantly stronger than Israel Adesanya, the only fighter to knock out Pereira in the octagon.
Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway
UFC 300 Lightweight ‘BMF’ Title Bout
The Underdog: Max Holloway (+190)
Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway needs a little introduction.
He’s been involved in some of the most legendary battles in the promotion’s history, and although the featherweight division has been his mainstay for most of his career, his current bulk seems to display a frame that could certainly match Gaethje’s.
Oddsmakers and bettors are judging Holloway’s chances against Justin Gaethje based on his lone lightweight fight against Dustin Poirier, in which he surrendered to the power and boxing skills of ‘The Diamond.’ However, the same critics aren’t factoring in the process of moving up a weight class, as Holloway has significantly more time and preparation to bulk up for his UFC 300 showdown with Gaethje.
Of course, Gaethje is a damn menace once that cage door closes; I just don’t see a skill difference where Holloway should be lined at nearly +200.
Behind a solid fight camp, a notable speed advantage that he should possess, and the striking skills to match Gaethje, don’t be surprised if ‘Blessed’ shocks the world and walks out of Vegas with the ‘BMF’ title in hand.
Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan
UFC 300 Lightweight Main Card Bout
The Underdog: Charles Oliveira (+200)
Is this line a trap, or what?
Charles Oliveira, who went on an 11-fight win streak, with 10 of those victories coming via KO/TKO or submission, en route to winning the UFC lightweight championship, is now a +200 underdog against Arman Tsarukyan, an opponent who boasts minimal experience against top-10-ranked opponents.
This is no shade on Tsarukyan; his wrestling offense gave Islam Makhachev, a pound-for-pound GOAT, one of the toughest outings of his career. He’s been a force in the division, but at 27, the experience he lacks could be detrimental compared to a veteran like ‘Do Bronx.’
If the oddsmakers had opened the pricing at -110 on either side, I wouldn’t have batted an eyelid. Oliveira’s complete skill set has proved doubters wrong time and time again; ask Beneil Dariush and Dustin Poirier, two men who lost to the Brazilian as betting favorites.
Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage
UFC 300 Middleweight Main Card Bout
The Underdog: Cody Brundage (+1200)
Hear me out. I understand the hype around Bo Nickal, his wrestling credentials, and how the UFC believes they have a star on their hands. However, with only five professional fights to his name, a moneyline price of -2000 is just insane.
The worrying factor about backing Nickal at this price is the lack of wrestling we’ve actually seen from him. It’s all well and good holding titles in the sport, but this is MMA, and it’s a completely different battleground than what wrestlers are used to.
Cody Brundage is no world-beater, and yes, the UFC is setting up Nickal for success. But again, he shouldn’t be disrespected to a +1200 underdog price.
Nickal has dominated his opponents to date, but we’re yet to see him fight beyond round one, and he’s yet to face adversity. Brundage can bang, has eight UFC fights in the bag, and is riding high on a two-fight KO/TKO win streak.
By no means am I suggesting we bet the house, but a tiny sprinkle on Brundage at this price would be a justified betting position.
Holly Holm vs. Kayla Harrison
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Preliminary Bout
The Underdog: Holly Holm (+350)
Kayla Harrison is the most recognized women’s competitor outside of the UFC. Well, Dana White has put an end to that, as she’ll make her long-anticipated debut on the biggest stage next week.
Harrison is a former Judo champion, and since transitioning to professional MMA, she’s collected a 16-1 record and obtained championships in the PFL. However, the reality is that she’s fought countless cans.
Although Holly Holm is beyond her prime fighting years, the veteran experience of the woman who ended Ronda Rousey’s hype undoubtedly has the skills to derail another hype train in Layla.
Holm has fought the who’s-who of women competitors during her career; she can often enter the octagon with a basic game plan, but at +350, what are the oddsmakers thinking? Harrison won’t win a striking battle, and Holm is a strong grappler, so where does this leave the favorite’s game plan if she cannot ground the dog?
Give me the Holm moneyline all day long. Until Harrison proves herself at this level, she’s nothing more than a glorified hype artist in my books.
