UFC 289: Fantasy DFS Lineup
UFC 289: FANTASY DFS LINEUP – There are two mainstays to play DFS for MMA; DraftKings and FanDuel. Each has its own scoring rules and variations, but they are similar. Here are DraftKings’ scoring rules and FanDuel’s scoring rules. I will always list fighters I think should be selected as MVP at the top and will use DraftKings budget to model my projections.
Miranda Maverick $9,300
Maverick is athletic and physically strong. Jasmine Jasudavicius, her opponent, is four inches taller but not as quick as Maverick.
Maverick will get touched at range by Jasudavicius, but she should manage to get a takedown, which will lead to ground and pound.
This fight will likely go the distance (-330), so there will be plenty of time to rack up some points for Maverick, who also is more likely to get a stoppage.
Amanda Nunes $9,500
Nunes has a great matchup against Irene Aldana. Nunes is a much better wrestler and can control where the fight takes place.
She is not the MVP because Aldana has an edge in striking. She lands way more volume (5.39 significant strikes per minute) and has the power to get a knockout.
Nunes, however, can control the fight on the mat and dominate for five rounds. If she has a solid game plan, which she usually does, it will likely play out in Nunes’ favor.
Blake Bilder $9,000
Kyle Nelson does not have the best record in the UFC, but he is a competitor.
His problem is that he gets hit too much. He lands 2.85 significant strikes per minute and absorbs .4.89 strikes per minute.
That is a problem against Blake Bilder. He is a willing grappler and also a tight striker. He lands 6.58 strikes per minute while absorbing 5.05 strikes.
Bilder will push the pace and be active in all aspects of MMA. He will attempt takedowns, land volume, and be offensive everywhere, which is perfect for DFS.
Aori Qileng $8,300
Aori Qileng is fighting Aiemann Zahabi in the bantamweight division.
It is a very close matchup, with the odds reflecting that. Qileng has the advantage of experience. His record is 24-9, while Zahabi’s is 9-2.
The big difference in this fight is the volume of Qileng. He lands 6.07 significant strikes per minute and absorbs 7.18. Zahabi lands 3.01 strikes and absorbs 3.38, less than half of Qileng’s output. Qileng can get points for striking and hopefully get rewarded by judges.
Nate Landwehr $7,100
Nate “The Train” Landwehr and Dan “50K” Ige (two of the best nicknames in MMA) will fight for three rounds in the featherweight division.
Ige is 2-3 in his last five fights, with the losses coming against guys currently in the top 10 and the wins over guys not ranked. He was thoroughly tested in the past couple of years but could not get a notable victory.
Ige is Landwehr’s biggest test yet, however. He is riding a three-fight win streak and always brings it. Ige might be a more technical striker, but Landwehr will make it a brawl.
This bout is likely going the distance, which gives Landwehr plenty of time to pressure and be active to score points.
Steve Erceg $6,800
Erceg is taking on David Dvorak in the flyweight division as the second fight on the card.
Erceg is making his UFC debut and is 9-1 fighting out of Australia. He has six submission victories and is dangerous as a grappler. Erceg is a solid striker, as well, and will have a three-inch reach advantage.
Erceg is being overlooked in this matchup, partially because he accepted on short notice and because it is his debut. Dvorak has lost back-to-back fights against Manel Kape and Matheus Nicolau, which is reasonable.
He is beatable and could get upset if he overlooks Erceg. Erceg is a cheap option to round out the lineup and even has a chance to win the fight.
