UFC Vegas 94 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 Vegas 94 DFS picks.
MVP Pick
Miranda Maverick $9,200
Miranda Maverick is taking on Dione Barbosa in the 125-pound division. Barbosa accepted this fight on short notice after Maverick’s original opponent, Tracy Cortez, was rebooked for last week’s main event. Barbosa won her UFC debut against Ernesta Kareckaite but gassed in the third round after winning the first two.
Maverick has been in the UFC since 2020 and owns a 6-3 record, with two consecutive wins over Andrea Lee and Priscila Cachoeira. Maverick will have the striking and wrestling advantage, while Barbosa likely owns a BJJ edge. Maverick should land early and often and use her wrestling to capitalize later in the fight when Barbosa tires.
Other Picks
Bill Algeo $8,900
The first fight on the main card is a featherweight bout between Bill Algeo and Dooho Choi. Choi has not won a fight since 2016 and has only fought once since 2019. Algeo is 5-5 since entering the UFC in 2019 and lost his last fight against Kyle Nelson, but it was an early stoppage.
The long layoffs between fights are concerning for Choi, who has not performed well in his last few fights. Algeo is an active fighter and will be motivated to avenge his loss in March. It should be a striking match, and Algeo will have the advantage due to his cardio. He lands 6.16 significant strikes per minute, and Choi lands about as much as he absorbs (4.74:4.91).
Kaynan Kruschewsky $8,700
Kaynan Kruschewsky lost his UFC debut against Elves Brener, but that loss is not something to feel low about. He has a much easier opponent this week in Kurt Holobaugh.
Holobaugh is 1-5 in the UFC and is the older fighter by almost five years. Kruschewsky is the better striker and grappler and should easily win this matchup. He lands 2.18 takedowns and averages 2.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His grappling should come in handy at some point against the extremely durable Holobaugh.
Steve Garcia $8,600
Steve Garcia is moving back down to featherweight after fighting his last bout at lightweight. He is taking on Seung Woo Choi, who is 4-5 since entering the UFC in 2019.
Choi won his previous fight against Jarno Errens but was on a three-fight skid prior. Garcia is a better striker and should have a slight wrestling advantage. Choi will likely try to counter the pressuring Choi, but Garcia will land strikes himself in the exchanges.
Thomas Petersen $7,400
The only heavyweight bout on the card is the opening fight between Thomas Petersen and Mohammed Usman. It will likely be a sloppy fight between two lower-level heavyweights, but the odds are mispriced. Petersen should probably be a slight favorite.
Petersen averages 2.84 takedowns per 15 minutes, and Usman has never been at a disadvantage in wrestling in the UFC. He is usually the fighter using his wrestling to gain control time, but he may be on his back in this fight. Usman is also not known for his power. Petersen is the fighter to back at a low price for DFS.
Hyder Amil $7,100
Hyder Amil won his UFC debut with a knockout over Fernie Garcia. Jeong Yeong Lee is 2-0 in the UFC after winning twice on the Road to UFC.
Neither man has fought super high-level competition in the UFC, so this fight should be interesting to see where they stand. Amil lands 4.73 significant strikes per minute, and Lee only lands 2.81. Amil should be the more active fighter and win as an underdog against Lee.
