The UFC is back in the United Arab Emirates with another banger fight card. The featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, will defend his belt for the first time against Max Holloway. Khamzat Chimaev is returning against Robert Whittaker for the co-main event in the middleweight division. Number-one-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev is also fighting Aleksandar Rakic in the lightweight division and the winner of that matchup will have a title shot. The prelims begin at noon EST, and the main card starts at 2 p.m.
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UFC 308 Longshot Prop Bet (2024)
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Lerone Murphy (+120) vs. Dan Ige (-142)
Lerone Murphy is an undefeated fighter from England taking on Dan Ige. Murphy last fought in May against Edson Barboza. He won it via unanimous decision, and it was not a close fight. Murphy landed 220 significant strikes and four takedowns. Meanwhile Dan Ige last fought in June on short notice against Diego Lopes. He lost via unanimous decision, but made a lot of fans for accepting the fight on the same day. Ige is the fourteenth-ranked featherweight fighter in the UFC, while Murphy is ranked twelfth.
I will start by saying that Ige has never been finished as a professional. He has lost eight fights, all by decision, but if anyone can knock him out, it is Lerone Murphy. Murphy is an outstanding athlete and mixes things up in the octagon. He lands 5.01 significant strikes per minute and only absorbs 2.60 significant strikes. He is durable and has great cardio. Ige is as tough as they come, but his chin will get tested in this fight. Murphy can land damage from everywhere and and that could hurt Ige, especially on the mat.
Bet: Lerone Murphy To Win By Knockout (+500)
Robert Whittaker (+200) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (-245)
I wrote an in-depth piece on this fight, which you can find here, but I wanted to include this prop because it is one of my favorite bets. Robert Whittaker is elite and proves it every time he steps into the octagon. He could not get past Israel Adesanya, but few could during his historic title reign. Khamzat Chimaev is as talented as it gets, but he will be fighting the toughest opponent of his life on Saturday.
Whittaker is as well-rounded as it gets in the middleweight division and likely has the striking advantage. Chimaev has the grappling advantage, per usual. This fight will be won on the mat, but it will not be as easy as a finish. Whittaker has excellent defensive grappling skills and takedown defense. That being said, the takedown defense might not matter because Chimaev takes everyone down, but his defensive skills on the mat will play a huge role. I expect Whittaker to stay relatively safe on the mat with Chimaev and show his toughness to make it to the judges. Chimaev likely wins on the scorecards because he can control the fight, but Whittaker will make it difficult.
Bet: Khamzat Chimaev To Win By Decision (+650)
