Get to know the best bets and parlays for the upcoming UFC 316 featuring the rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley!
The Sphere in Las Vegas witnessed something special last September when Merab Dvalishvili completely dominated Sean O’Malley to capture the bantamweight title. O’Malley, who had looked untouchable in his previous fights, suddenly appeared lost and frustrated as Dvalishvili dragged him into deep waters where his flashy striking couldn’t save him.
Now fans are getting the rematch at UFC 316, and the betting lines tell an interesting story. O’Malley enters as a significant underdog this time.The former champion has been sitting out since that loss, claiming he’s made major adjustments to his grappling game and even quit smoking weed to focus better. Meanwhile, Dvalishvili has been busy defending his title against Umar Nurmagomedov in January, grinding out another decision victory that showcased his signature pressure-heavy style. The Georgian fighter now sits on an incredible 12-fight winning streak and seems to have finally earned the respect he deserves from fight fans.
Here are the best bets for the upcoming UFC 316 event.
This is the safest play on the entire card. Dvalishvili has only scored four stoppages in his entire career, and his last UFC finish came against a shot Marlon Moraes back in 2021. His game plan revolves around wearing opponents down with constant pressure and takedowns rather than hunting for the kill.
Harrison enters as a massive favorite against Julianna Pena, and for good reason. The two-time Olympic judoka looked dominant in most of her UFC appearances, especially when she submitted Holly Holm. Harrison’s ground-and-pound could easily force a referee stoppage against Pena, or she can submit her in any position effectively.
Joe Pyfer looked impressive against lower-level competition, but Gastelum has been fighting elite middleweights for years. The former title challenger is still only 33 and showed he can still compete at a high level. The veteran’s well-rounded game and experience should give Pyfer problems he hasn’t faced before.
Both fighters pack serious power, but they are also durable veterans who rarely get finished early. Luque bounced back nicely with that slick anaconda choke against Themba Gorimbo, while Holland has been solid against strikers. Holland’s six-inch reach advantage will be crucial, but Luque’s submission skills keep things interesting. This fight has fireworks written all over it, but both guys are tough enough to survive into the second round at minimum.
Here are some solid parlay options to boost your payout for
-Merab Dvalishvili To Win
-Kayla Harrison To Win
-Patchy Mix To Win
This three-leg parlay combines the card’s most reliable favorites. Dvalishvili should handle O’Malley the same way he did before, Harrison’s Olympic-level grappling gives her a massive edge over Pena, and Mix brings legitimate credentials from Bellator that should translate well against the boring Bautista. All three fighters have significant skill advantages that make this parlay worth the modest risk.
-Mario Bautista to win by decision
-Azamat Murzakanov to win by KO/TKO
This two-fight parlay targets some of the card’s better value plays. Mario Bautista is a good pick against Patchy Mix, who is untested in the UFC. Azamat Murzakanov is undefeated in the UFC and his KO power is well known.
-Sean O’Malley to win by KO/TKO
-Julianna Pena to win by decision
-Vicente Luque to win by KO/TKO
Sometimes the MMA gods demand chaos, and this parlay banks on these three underdogs pulling off upsets. O’Malley does have legitimate knockout power that could catch Dvalishvili if he gets reckless, while Pena has shown she can pull off shocking victories when nobody expects it. Luque has that power that can end a fight in a second. This is purely a lottery ticket play, but the massive payout makes it worth a small wager for those feeling lucky!
(Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images)
mma I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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