Welcome back, UFC fans. This weekend we have a 12-fight card in Abu Dhabi including a main event between Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar. The main GPP has $100,000 going to first place with a total of $300,000 being paid out. Here I will offer the fights I feel have the most upside for MMA DFS purposes. Let’s dig into some UFC DFS picks and analysis for DraftKings and FanDuel lineups.
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UFC DFS: UFC Fight Island 7 | Holloway vs. KattarÂ
Phil Hawes $8,800 vs. Nassourdine Imavov  $7,400
Phil Hawes
- Age: 32
- Height: 6-foot-0
- Weight: 185 lbs.
- Reach: 77.5 ins.
- Record: 9-2-0
- Striking Accuracy: 49%
- Betting Odds: -145
Hawes is coming into this matchup on a five-fight winning streak, along with his last five fights ending via first-round finishes. His fighting resume shows that he has seven wins via knockout, two via submission and an impressive seven first-round finishes. I expect Hawes will look to keep this fight standing while looking to use his jab and striking to keep Imavov at distance. If Hawes finds his range and keeps this fight standing, this fight will end by way of knockout.
Nassourdine Imavov
- Age: 25
- Height: 6-foot-2
- Weight: 185 lbs.
- Reach: 75 ins.
- Record: 9-2-0
- Striking Accuracy: N/A
- Betting Odds: +115
Imavov is coming into this matchup off a decision win against Jordan Williams back in October 2020. He is on a six-fight winning streak, although his most recent fight against Williams is his only UFC fight. Imavov’s fighting resume shows that he has three wins via knockout, four via submission and two via decision. He is a solid grappler and will look to take this fight to the canvas to secure a submission win. However, Hawes’ takedown defense should prevail in this fight.
My preferred play on DraftKings and FanDuel is Hawes. He is going to be aggressive and push the pace while looking to avoid the takedown attempts from Imavov.
UFC DFS Pick: Phil Hawes via Second-Round KO/TKO.
Punahele Soriano $7,700 vs. Dusko Todorovic $8,500
Punahele Soriano
- Age: 28
- Height: 5-foot-9
- Weight: 185 lbs.
- Reach: 72.5 ins
- Record: 7-0-0
- Striking Accuracy: 32%
- Betting Odds: +135
Soriano was awarded a UFC contract after a win on Dana White’s Contender Series back in June 2019. He made his UFC debut at UFC 245 in December of 2019, with a win via first-round knockout over Oakar Piechota. Soriano has serious power in his hands, along with a nasty left hand that will put his opponents lights out in a hurry. His fighting resume shows that he has four wins via knockout, two via submission and one decision. Soriano should be focused and looking to showcase his power striking in this fight. However, Soriano will be the slight underdog in this fight.
Dusko Todorovic
- Age: 26
- Height: 6-foot-1
- Weight: 185 lbs.
- Reach: 74 ins.
- Record: 10-0-0
- Striking Accuracy: 81%
- Betting Odds: -165
Todorovic was awarded a UFC contract after a win on Dana White’s Contender Series back in August of 2019. He made his UFC debut at UFC on ESPN 16 back in October 2020 against Dequan Townsend with a second-round TKO via ground and pound. Todorovic ate a few huge shots against Townsend, although he showed his chin is rock solid. His fight resume shows he has six knockouts, three submissions and one decision. Todorovic will look to take this fight to the ground instead of standing and trading with the power of Soriano.
My lean on DraftKings and FanDuel is Soriano. If he can avoid Todorovic’s takedown attempts and keep this fight standing, his powerful striking will test Todorovic’s chin early and often.
UFC DFS Pick: Punahele Soriano via Second-Round KO/TKO
Joaquin Buckley $9,400 vs. Alessio Di Chirico $6,800
Joaquin Buckley
- Age: 26
- Height: 5-foot-8
- Weight: 185 lbs.
- Reach: 76 ins.
- Record: 12-3-0
- Striking Accuracy: 38%
- Betting Odds: -270
Buckley is coming into this matchup on a two-fight winning streak, with his most recent fight being a nasty second-round knockout over Jordan Wright back in November 2020. He also has one of the most spectacular knockouts over Impa Kasanganay, which Buckley calls a two-touch kick knockout. His fighting resume shows that he has nine wins via knockout and three via decision, along with four first-round finishes. Buckley is an aggressive fighter with big power in his hands and his nasty kicks. I expect Buckley will use his power striking while also pushing the pace against Di Chirico to secure another first-round finish.
Alessio Di Chirico
- Age: 31
- Height: 6-foot-0
- Weight: 185 lbs.
- Reach: 74 ins.
- Record: 12-5-0
- Striking Accuracy: 42%
- Betting Odds: +210
Di Chirico is coming into this matchup on a three-fight losing streak. His striking is solid, along with having the skills to edge out a victory if he can avoid the aggressiveness of Buckley in the early rounds. Di Chirico’s fighting resume shows that he has five wins via knockout, four via submission and three via decision. Di Chirico will need to avoid the aggressive attack of Buckley early for any chance of a victory. However, Buckley’s pace and power striking will be too much for Di Chirico to overcome.
My preferred play on DraftKings and FanDuel is Buckley. His aggressiveness, power kicks and heavy hands will be too much for Di Chirico to withstand.
UFC DFS Pick: Joaquin Buckley via Second-Round KO/TKO.
Max Holloway $8,900 vs. Calvin Kattar $7,300
Max Holloway
- Age: 29
- Height: 5-foot-9
- Weight: 145 lbs.
- Reach: 69 ins.
- Record: 21-6-0
- Striking Accuracy: N/A
- Betting Odds: -160
Holloway is coming into this matchup off back-to-back losses against current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. However, the last fight was extremely close, and many felt that Holloway was robbed. Holloway’s fighting resume shows he has 10 wins via knockout, two via submission and nine decisions. He is a long and rangy fighter with high-volume output and elite striking. Holloway also has a steel chin and a gas tank that never runs out. I expect Holloway to be focused and motivated to get back in the win column, and his high-volume output plus Holloway’s takedown upside should score well in a five-round fight.
Calvin Kattar
- Age: 32
- Height: 5-foot-9
- Weight: 145 lbs.
- Reach: 72 ins.
- Record: 22-4-0
- Striking Accuracy: N/A
- Betting Odds: +130
Kattar is coming into this matchup off back-to-back wins, with an impressive knockout of Jeremy Stephens back in May of 2020. He also had a decision victory against Dan Ige back in June of 2020. Kattar was a phenomenal wrestler in high school, although he prefers to keep his fights standing with his power striking and solid boxing. His fighting resume shows he has 11 wins via knockout, two via submission and nine decisions. Furthermore, four of Kattar’s last five wins have come via knockout. Kattar will want to keep this fight standing while looking to land his power striking and nasty elbows in hopes of slowing Holloway’s attack.
My Preferred play on DraftKings and FanDuel is Holloway. Holloway’s phenomenal cardio and high volume will lead him to a unanimous decision win.
UFC DFS Pick: Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision.
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