UFC 266 Bettor’s Guide to Volkanovski-Ortega and More

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If you’ve read this far, you’re clearly into the concept of risk vs. reward. And while favorites are often a worthwhile option, a well-chosen underdog is a nice benefit, too. 

Fortunately, this card isn’t hurting for intriguing plus-side options, even in the prelims. 

Here are a few we’d suggest you take a look at:

Curtis Blaydes vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik: Fight to End in the 1st 60 Seconds of Round 1 (+1000)

Take a look at the records.

Between them, the Nos. 4 and 6 heavyweight contenders have 10 wins by first-round knockouts. Not to mention a pair of losses, both to now-champion Francis Ngannou.

And of those 12 fights, no less than five have ended within the first 60 seconds.

Put the two big men in front of a big crowd on a big stage and watch it happen again.

Shamil Abdurakhimov: Moneyline (+170)

Looking for a fight not enough people are talking about? Here it is.

Two top-10 contenders in the heavyweight division. One of whom is 40 and trying to hang onto his status while the other is 31 and aiming to certify his ascension to the big-man elite.

Born in the former Soviet Union, Abdurakhimov has only lost to the third- and fourth-ranked fighters in the division in the last six years. His foe, Philadelphia police officer Chris Daukaus, has won three straight in the UFC but hasn’t faced or beaten the same level of opponent.

A line on a quick KO would be ideal here, but in the absence of that offering we’ll go for the one chance that exists to make money.

Merab Dvalishvili: Win by KO/TKO/DQ in Round 3 (+2200)

Marlon Moraes is 33 years old. 

Which, by most measures, is not terribly old. But the way he’s looked recently—while going without a clear-cut win since early 2019—makes 33 seem a whole lot older.

A submission of Raphael Assuncao has been followed by a TKO loss to Henry Cejudo (Round 3), a disputed decision over Jose Aldo and finish losses to Cory Sandhagen (Round 2) and Rob Font (Round 1).

Enter Dvalishvili, a 30-year-old from the Republic of Georgia who’s on a roll (six straight wins) and hungry to gain the title-challenging status his foe has previously commanded. Says here he’ll get it.

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