UFC 289: Three Best Moneyline Bets
UFC 289: THREE BEST MONEYLINE BETS – This is the summer of UFC with bouts scheduled every week for the next several months. Time to strap in tight and get ready for a great summer of fight action.
We have you covered with all your pre-UFC 289 needs over at our MMA page. There you can find main events props, a main event preview, and suggested DFS lineups. We all know about the big main event between Amanda Nunes and Irene Aldana, but let’s take a look at some of the other intriguing undercard fights happening.
Kyle Nelson (13-5-1) vs Blake Bilder (8-0-1)
Nelson
Coming in with a 1-4-1 through his UFC career, Nelson really needs a win this weekend to save his spot on the roster.
He came into the UFC on short notice, but it was clear that he probably made the jump a little too early. He was smashing guys on the regional scene with his big knockout power, which got him noticed, but needing a short notice replacement on a show in Canada really benefitted him.
However, it’s clear through his 6 UFC fights that he isn’t cut out to compete at this level. He tried changing up his style and implementing more of a grappling style, but that hasn’t worked out for him either. He needs to rely on his power, patience, and technique to save his UFC job this weekend.
Bilder
Bilder got his opportunity on the Contender Series after winning the CFFC featherweight title.
He pulled off an upset as a near 2-to-1 underdog on the Contender Series which earned him his UFC contract. He made good on his debut by defeating Shane Young, out-grappling, and out-pointing him.
He is primarily a grappler with strong top pressure.
His striking game is coming along, but he has developed solid movement to help him stay safe in the striking realm. Blending his takedowns behind that will be the key to him succeeding at this level.
The Pick
Nelson only has a puncher’s chance in this fight. I suspect he will have a hard time getting a beat on Bilder’s movement, which will allow Bilder to eventually land takedowns in the second half of the fight.
I suspect Nelson will start to slow down late after he keeps missing on his big strikes and that will open a submission opportunity for Bilder. I don’t often drop favorites north of -200, but I believe Bilder is worthy of the chalk here.
The Pick: Bilder -235
Miranda Maverick (11-4) vs Jasmine Jasudavicius (8-2)
Maverick
One of the top prospects in the UFC, Maverick is riding a two-fight winning streak after losing two straight in 2021. She is a fighter that primarily relies on her physicality to get her best work done.
She’s hard to deal with in the grappling realm, especially when she gets the top position.
Her striking is slowly coming along, but she has great durability which allows her to crash the pocket and eat damage while implementing her game. She has a great training camp and a ton of potential, and I look forward to seeing her continue her growth, especially with her only being 25 years old.
Jasudavicius
Training out of one of the top camps in Canada, Jasudavicius is looking to string together back-to-back victories for the first time since joining the UFC ranks.
She is a big flyweight standing at 5’7”, usually enjoying a solid size advantage over her opponents. She utilizes that strength to grind her opponents through the mat and do solid work from on top.
She learned a harsh lesson in her first UFC loss against a standout prospect, Natalia Silva, and it was obvious she worked to shore up her mistakes in her last bout against Gabriella Fernandes. Her lone defeat came to Elise Reed back in her regional days, although it was a very controversial decision. Jasudavicius is talented and has great potential, look for strong wrestling and heavy top control.
The Pick
I believe the odds are a little too wide on this fight.
A lot of it has to do with the hype on the Maverick side. I’ve never had issues in the past eating chalk on Maverick, but I feel Jasudavicius presents issues that Maverick has struggled with in the past, specifically in the wrestling realm. It is entirely possible that Maverick is up to the test here, but just knowing that Jasudavicius can test her in that realm should give Jasudavicius a little more respect on the odds here.
Give me the Canadian to pull off the upset with solid value here, in my opinion.
The Pick: Jasmine Jasudavicius +255
Marc-Andre Barriault (15-6) vs Eryk Anders (15-7)
Barriault
One of the five Canadians on the card fighting on home soil, Barriault goes up against the biggest name he has faced to date.
I think he is more than up for the challenge here, especially with all the improvements he has been making under the Kill Cliff FC training regimen. He weaponizes his cardio very well, pressuring his opponents with his footwork and combination striking.
Barriault doesn’t let his opponent breathe. Whenever his durability holds true, he is one of the toughest matchups in the entire middleweight division.
Anders
Anders has made some solid improvements since joining the Fight Ready team back in 2020, but his time may be coming to a close.
A lot of his early MMA success came from utilizing his physical traits and nullifying his opponents. He has showcased solid power in some fights while he’s also showcased solid strength to control his opponents against the cage.
For the most part, however, he has been underwhelming throughout his career and it’s obvious when he is at a skill discrepancy. That’s when he normally comes up short.
The Pick
I think this could be a close fight early, but as the second round gets going, I expect Barriault to step on the gas and get Anders out of there in the final frame.
I think the pace and pressure Barriault puts on will be too much for Anders to keep up with. Anders will need to rely on an early knockout if he hopes to get his hand raised, but if Barriault can avoid that, it should be smooth sailing for him down the stretch.
Don’t be shy to take a sprinkle on the Barriault in round 3 prop either at +1000.
