UFC Vegas 93 Fantasy 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 Vegas 93 fantasy picks.
Related: Florida State vs. Tennessee Pick
MVP Pick
Alex Perez $7,900
Alex Perez is taking on highly touted prospect Tatsuro Taira in the main event this Saturday. Perez returned to the win column with a knockout over Matheus Nicolau as the headliner in late April. Taira is 15-0 and 5-0 in the UFC, with his last win coming over Carlos Hernandez.
Perez has to be careful if Taira can secure a takedown. Taira is a highly skilled submission artist with seven wins by submission in his career, including two inside the promotion. Perez has lots of power for the flyweight division and could end Taira’s undefeated run with one punch. Taira had some trouble with Edgar Chairez on the feet two fights ago and was knocked down in that fight. Perez is a solid contrarian play with a great chance of earning a knockout victory.
Other Picks
Nate Maness $9,400
Nate “Mayhem” Maness is all gas, no brakes, and is fighting Jimmy Flick, a similar fighter. Flick is too sloppy on the feet and relies on winging punches, which will not connect against Maness.
Maness is a -575 favorite, and the fight is -195 to go under 1.5 rounds. It is a simple pick, and Maness should knock him out early.
Jeka Saragih $9,300
This pick is similar to the last one, but Saragih is less proven than Maness. Jeka Saragih is fighting Westin Wilson, a 16-9 fighter who has been knocked out in the first round in two consecutive fights.
Wilson will have a four-inch reach advantage, but he does not use it as well as he should and has not defended a takedown in the UFC. Saragih lands 2.37 takedowns per 15 minutes at a 100% clip and should have zero problem taking Wilson down. He is -200 to win via knockout, and the fight is -298 to go under 1.5 rounds.
Melquizael Costa $8,500
This fight is interesting between two guys with a lot of experience. Melquizael Costa is 20-7, but 1-2 in the UFC. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke is 39-11 and 3-2 in the UFC.
Both men were knocked out by Steve Garcia in their last fights. Costa is the -192 favorite in the fight, and I agree with the oddsmakers. He has more paths to victory because he is a higher-level grappler and should have a chance to tie up a submission.
Adam Fugitt $7,900
Adam Fugitt and Josh Quinlan are two fighters who get hit a lot. Fugitt has a better chance to land the cleaner strikes in this fight. Fugitt lands 4.30 significant strikes and absorbs 5.13 significant strikes per minute but lands at a 54% clip.
Quinlan’s ratio is 3.59 to 6.91 significant strikes per minute but only lands 42% of strikes. Fugitt is a slight dog but may surprise some people with cleaner striking.
Carli Judice $7,200
Carli Judice lost her UFC debut to Ernesta Kareckaite by a split decision in the flyweight division. She is fighting Gabriella Fernandes, who has lost both UFC bouts by unanimous decisions.
It seems like a fight where the winner will extend their UFC career, and the loser may get cut. Judice is more technical as a striker, and neither woman has landed a takedown in the UFC. Judice is the dog but probably gets the job done in a decision.
