Hello, UFC fans. This weekend we have a 12-fight card in Las Vegas for UFC 255, including a main event between Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez. The main GPP has $150,000 going to first place with a total of $700,000 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.
[MAYFLOWER]
MMA DFS: UFC 255 Figueiredo vs Perez | DraftKings + FanDuel
Louis Cosce $9,300 vs. Sasha Palatnikov $6.900 (DraftKings)
Louis Cosce
- Age: 25
- Height: 5-foot-8
- Weight: 170 lbs.
- Reach: 71 ins
- Record: 7-0-0
- Striking Accuracy: N/A
- Betting Odds: -370
Cosce is absolutely on fire coming into his UFC debut. He has finished all but one of his professional fights in less than 80 seconds. Cosce added Victor Reyna to his quick finishes with a huge overhand-right before pounding him out on the canvas. Also, the 72-second finish of Reyna secured Cosce a UFC contract. Cosce is extremely aggressive, fast and powerful, but that style is all we have gotten to see from Cosce’s fights. Moreover, Cosce’s cardio and grappling are mysteries. However, his takedown defense should keep this fight off the canvas, and he will a huge edge on the feet. I expect Cosce to come out aggressively and to test Palatnikov’s chin often.
Sasha Palatnikov
- Age: 31
- Height: 6-foot-0
- Weight: 170 lbs.
- Reach: 75 ins.
- Record: 5-2-0
- Striking Accuracy: 57%
- Betting Odds: +310
Palatnikov is the first Hong Kong-born UFC representative. He will be making his UFC debut after upping roots from Hong Kong and moving his life to Las Vegas. Palatnikov is the former AFC Middleweight Champion. He will have a four-inch reach advantage over Cosce, which he will try and use to keep the distance. Palatnikov will need to avoid the early onslaught of Cosce, and by doing so, he may have the fortune to see how solid Cosce’s gas tank truly is.
My preferred play on DraftKings and FanDuel is Cosce. I expect his striking, speed and power will be too much for Palatnikov to overcome in the opening minutes.
UFC DFS Pick: Louis Cosce via First-Round KO/TKO.
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Daniel Rodriguez $9,300 vs. Nicolas Dalby $7,100 (DraftKings)
Daniel Rodriguez
- Age: 33
- Height: 6-foot-1
- Weight: 170 lbs.
- Reach: 74 ins.
- Record: 13-1-0
- Striking Accuracy: N/A
- Betting Odds: -310
Rodriguez is coming off a spectacular first-round-knockout win over Dwight Grant this past August. He is a solid striker, landing 8.60 significant strikes per minute. Rodriguez is a power striker that works off of his jab, although his one downfall is being wild with his striking at times. He is a well-rounded fighter with an impressive resume of 13 wins and one loss, which came via a split decision back in 2017. I expect Rodriguez to push the pace and bring forward pressure while looking to land heavy power shots early.
Nicolas Dalby
- Age: 36
- Height: 5-foot-9
- Weight: 170 lbs.
- Reach: 74.5 ins.
- Record: 18-4-1
- Striking Accuracy: N/A
- Betting Odds: +255
Dalby has notched three finishes along with capturing the Cage Warriors interim welterweight title. He picked up a huge win via unanimous decision over Alex Olivera in September 2019. However, Dalby’s winning streak was snapped when he was submitted by Jesse Ronson at UFC Fight Night 174. Dalby will need to survive the early attack of Rodriguez while looking to use counter striking and his stiff jab to keep Rodriguez at distance.
My preferred DraftKings and FanDuel play is Rodriguez. I expect he will use his forward pressure and power striking to finish Dalby early.
UFC DFS Pick: Daniel Rodriguez via Second-Round KO/TKO.
Joaquin Buckley $8,900 vs. Jordan Wright $7,300 (DraftKings)
Joaquin Buckley
- Age: 26
- Height: 5-foot-8
- Weight: 185 lbs.
- Reach: 76 ins.
- Record: 11-3-0
- Striking Accuracy: 42%
- Betting Odds: -265
Buckley is coming off a spectacular spinning kick off one foot that knocked Impa Kasanganay out. He will be fighting for the fourth time in four months. Buckley is a pressure fighter and is known for walking his opponents down and backing them up against the cage. In this fight, I expect Buckley to pressure Wright while throwing power shots and basically mauling Wright in the first round.
Jordan Wright
- Age:29
- Height: 6-foot-2
- Weight: 205 lbs.
- Reach: 77 ins.
- Record: 11-0-0
- Striking Accuracy:
- Betting Odds: +225
Wright bounced back from his knockout loss to Anthony Hernandez on the “Contender Series,” though Hernandez failed a drug test, which turned the result into a no contest. He returned to the LFA with a knockout victory over Gabriel Cheecco, then knocked out Ike Villanueva in a late-notice fight in August. I expect the pressure Buckley brings to cause problems for Wright, along with Wright lacking the defensive awareness to stop Buckley’s attack.
My preferred play is Buckley. I expect Buckley to pick Wright apart in the opening minutes.
UFC DFS Pick: Joaquin Buckley via First-Round KO/TKO.
Valentina Shevchenko $9,600 vs. Jennifer Maia $6,600 (DraftKings)
Valentina Shevchenko
- Age: 32
- Height: 5-foot-4
- Weight: 125 lbs.
- Reach: 66.5 ins.
- Record: 19-3-0
- Striking Accuracy: 48%
- Betting Odds: -1400
Shevchenko is coming off a knockout win over Katlyn Chookagian in February, along with being on a five-fight winning streak that dates to 2018. She is a well-rounded fighter, with fast hands, spinning back kicks and nasty elbows that are extremely dangerous to her opponents. Shevchenko is a world kickboxing champion and has phenomenal Muay Thai skills. She has dominated the division since returning to flyweight after a failed bid for Amanda Nunes’ bantamweight title. I expect Shevchenko to be the better fighter everywhere and pick Maia apart.
Jennifer Maia
- Age: 32
- Height: 5-foot-3
- Weight: 125 lbs.
- Reach:64 ins.
- Record: 18-6-1
- Striking Accuracy: 47%
- Betting Odds: +792
Maia is coming off a first-round win over Joanna Calderwood. She comes from a boxing background and will be looking to let her hands go against Shevchenko if this fight stays standing. Maia has five career submission victories. I expect Maia will want to get this fight to the canvas because Shevchenko will have the clear advantage on the feet.
My preferred play is Shevchenko. I expect she will control all aspects of this fight, especially if this fight stays standing.
UFC DFS Pick: Valentine Shevchenko via Second-Round KO/TKO.
Deiveson Figueiredo $9,000 vs. Alex Perez $7,200 (DraftKings)
Deiveson Figueiredo
- Age: 32
- Height: 5-foot-4
- Weight: 125 lbs.
- Reach: 68 ins.
- Record: 19-1-0
- Striking Accuracy: 48%
- Betting Odds: -300
Figueiredo will be making his first title defense since claiming the vacant flyweight title in July. He has devastating power and is an absolute beast in the Octagon. Figueiredo is a well-rounded fighter, having gone 8-1 since signing with the UFC in 2017. He was originally scheduled to fight Cody Garbrandt, but an injury forced Garbrandt to withdraw. I expect Figueiredo to be focused and motivated to defend his flyweight title.
Alex Perez
- Age: 28
- Height: 5-foot-5
- Weight: 125 lbs.
- Reach:65.5 ins.
- Record: 24-5-0
- Striking Accuracy: 47%
- Betting Odds: +250
Perez is coming off a first-round knockout over Jussier Formiga in July. Perez is a solid striker with power and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu-style fighter on the mat. His last five fights have seen him post a 4-1 record, with two knockout wins, one submission win, one unanimous decision win and one knockout loss. I expect Perez to push the pace in this fight while trying to test Figueiredo’s cardio.
My preferred play is Figueiredo. I expect his footwork and power striking will be the difference in this fight.
UFC DFS Pick: Deiveson Figueiredo via First-Round KO/TKO.
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