UFC 274 Best Bets
We’re back with our favourite selection of UFC main card best bets.
The UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje main card UFC odds are available. Read on for our complete betting guide and a preview of next week’s favorite main card betting picks, including updated odds and free expert UFC 274 betting predictions.
UFC 274 Main Card Best Bet
Charles Oliveira vs. Gilbert Burns
UFC Lightweight Main Card Championship Bout
UFC 274 takes place on Saturday, May 7th, live from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, only on Fight Pass and ESPN+.
Charles Oliveira
Professional MMA Record: 32-8-0
Knockout Record: 9-4
Submission Record: 20-3
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 3.44
SIG Strike Accuracy: 61.66%
Takedown Average: 2.50
Takedown Accuracy: 41.46%
Submission Average: 2.79
The fighting pride of Brazil returns to the octagon to defend his lightweight championship for a second time, and Charles Oliveira could once again break UFC records as he’s been doing for countless years.
To call Oliveira, a “finisher” would be an understatement, as he owns more stoppage victories (18) than any other fighter in UFC history. He’s currently tied with Donald Cerrone for the most post-fight bonus awards (18), and another show-stopping performance this weekend would see him take another record-breaking moment.
Justin Gaethje
Professional MMA Record: 23-3-0
Knockout Record: 19-2
Submission Record: 1-1
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 7.50
SIG Strike Accuracy: 60.44%
Takedown Average: 0.00
Takedown Accuracy: 0.00%
Submission Average: 0.00
Justin Gaethje is a monster under the tutelage of Trevor Wittman at the world-famous Sanford MMA gym, and the American knows a thing or two about finishing fights as well.
From his 23 professional MMA victories on his record, Gaethje has finished 19 of those bouts via knockout or technical stoppage. Although his original combat sports base was wrestling, he’s never used it.
Oliveira vs. Gaethje Fight Analysis and UFC 274 Betting Odds
Sportsbooks currently have the champion as a -175 favorite, but I would be lying if I didn’t highlight that I’m worried about Oliveira’s chance of victory. Despite his incredible win streak and success as a champion, he’s proven time and time again that his chin can be compromised. Having a questionable chin isn’t a position you want to be in with Gaethje – one of, if not the hardest hitter in the division.
With the plus money siding with the knockout artist with impeccable takedown defense, Oliveira’s path to victory is limited, and I anticipate a new champion could be on the horizon.
UFC 274 Betting Pick: Gaethje to win at +150 with BetOnline
UFC 274 Main Card Best Bet
Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza II
UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship Bout
UFC 274 takes place on Saturday, May 7th, live from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, only on Fight Pass and ESPN+.
Rose Namajunas
Professional MMA Record: 12-4-0
Knockout Record: 2-1
Submission Record: 6-1
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 4.01
SIG Strike Accuracy: 45.41%
Takedown Average: 1.78
Takedown Accuracy: 56.25%
Submission Average: 0.69
“Thug Rose” will look to avenge a loss she suffered during the introduction of the women’s strawweight championship when she faces Carla Esparza. With a title rematch, eight years in the making – where Rose lost the chance to become the first-ever strawweight champion – a lot has changed since the original contest, and it’ll be Rose defending the gold versus the former champ.
Rose is incomparable to the fighter we saw in 2014; her rise to the top has been accompanied by a considerable evolution in her striking offense. She’s a complete fighter with a well-established jiu-jitsu skillset and her newfound love for striking.
Carla Esparza
Professional MMA Record: 19-6-0
Knockout Record: 4-2
Submission Record: 4-1
SIG Strikes Landed Per Minute: 2.34
SIG Strike Accuracy: 65.46%
Takedown Average: 3.53
Takedown Accuracy: 37.17%
Submission Average: 0.34
Since becoming the first-ever women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza has suffered from a slight career downtrend. However, her sheer will and fighter spirit have gifted the Team Oyama standout with an unbeaten streak dating back to 2018.
A five-fight win streak and a recent ground and pound stoppage over Xiaonan Yan left the UFC matchmakers no choice but to give Esparza her redemption story with another chance to lift the championship she once raised.
Namajunas vs. Esparza Fight Analysis and UFC 274 Betting Odds
I expect Rose to be utterly conscious of Esparza’s blueprint, and to no surprise, it’ll be a wrestling offense that the challenger will want to employ. However, unlike the first meeting, a lot has changed.
Esparza will most likely find some success with her takedowns, as her striking setups into changing levels and landing her takedowns have unquestionably reached a new level. With that said, Rose’s striking is on another level, and her get up game is exceptional; throughout the 25-minute time limit, I can’t envision Esparza owning enough ground control to outperform Rose’s striking output.
UFC 274 Betting Pick: Namajunas moneyline at -198 with BetOnline