UFC Denver DFS Picks

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. Read below for UFC Denver DFS picks. 

Related: Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty

MVP Pick

Luana Santos $9,200

There are several fun fights on the card as the UFC travels to Denver, but this is a one-sided matchup. Luana Santos is an up-and-coming fighter already making a name for herself. She is fighting Mariya Agapova, who has been with the promotion since 2020. Santos is a skilled fighter with several paths to victory in this matchup.

She averages 1.61 takedowns landed per 15 minutes, and Agapova has only defended 47% of takedowns. Agapova has also taken a long layoff. Her last fight was in September 2022, and there may be some rust, especially with the physicality of Santos. Luana Santos should get Agapova on the mat and could find a submission before the final bell.

Other Picks

Christian Rodriguez $8,900

Christian Rodriguez is taking on the UFC veteran Julian Erosa. Rodriguez has run through some of the young prospects in the UFC and draws a tough fight against a veteran. Rodriguez beat Isaac Dulgarian via a split decision in March and Cameron Saaiman and Raul Rosas Jr. by unanimous decision in 2023.

Erosa beat Ricardo Ramos by guillotine choke in the first round in March. The key to this fight for Rodriguez is landing strikes on the feet and avoiding the submission attempts from Erosa. Erosa only defends 47% of strikes from opponents and will give Rodriguez a target to hit.

Joshua Van $8,700

This matchup is close, but the odds tell the tale. Van is a -238 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while his opponent, Charles Johnson, is +195. Johnson has the experience advantage but has not beaten many high-level opponents. Van will have the youth advantage, though, by almost 11 years.

Van is a technical striker and packs a punch. Johnson will stand with him but may not land enough to take the decision.

Jean Silva $8,000

This matchup is the scariest pick on the card because both men will stand and bang. Silva fought Charles Jourdain on June 29 and knocked him out in the second round. Dober’s last fight was with Renato Moicano in February, and he lost via unanimous decision.

Dober is a fan favorite because of his fighting style, but it gets him in trouble, especially against a guy with as much power as Silva. This matchup could be the fight of the night, and one of these men will get knocked out. Silva is a little more defensive, and I will side with him.

Andre Petroski $7,900

Petroski has had an up-and-down UFC career, winning five in a row before dropping his last two by knockout. Josh Fremd is 2-3 in the UFC, with his previous loss against Roman Kopylov via knockout.

The key to this fight is Petroski’s wrestling. He averages 4.32 takedowns per 15 minutes, and Fremd only defends 31% of takedowns. Petroski is not the most polished striker but has the power to find a knockout. I expect this fight to happen on the mat, with Petroski finding a choke or winning via decision.

Tracy Cortez $7,200

The main event is a short-notice bout for Tracy Cortez against Rose Namajunas. Namajunas is a former UFC champion but has fought in several close bouts recently. Cortez is undefeated in the UFC (5-0) and is getting a shot against a high-level fighter in the main event.

Cortez needs to get Namajunas on her back. Cortez averages 2.33 takedowns per 15 minutes, and Namajunas has defended 59% of takedowns in her career. Cortez coming in on short notice is worrisome, but she can win a close fight against Namajunas.