UFC 299 main card betting preview & top tips | O’Malley v Vera 2

The main card for UFC 299 at the Kaseya Center in Miami is co-headlined by MMA legend Dustin Poirier and the surging Benoit Saint-Denis. Other highlights include the enigmatic Kevin Holland, who welcomes Michael Page to the UFC; veteran Gilbert Burns against Australian upstart Jack Della Maddalena; and former bantamweight champ Petr Yan looking to climb the mountain again when he takes on Song Yadong. Read on for our top UFC betting tips.

Sean O’Malley v Marlon Vera fight preview

Sean O’Malley vs Marlon Vera

Can Sean O’Malley right his wrongs and defeat Marlon Vera in Miami? Read our free betting preview and best bets here.

Dustin Poirier v Benoit Saint-Denis fight preview

Dustin Poirier vs Benoit Saint-Denis

Dustin Poirier (29-8-0) has hinted that his long and storied career might be coming to an end. The 35-year-old made his UFC debut in 2011 and has carved out a successful run that includes an interim lightweight title and a pair of blockbuster victories over Conor McGregor. Poirier was most recently knocked out by Justin Gaethje, and he has drawn another tough assignment against a dangerous young challenger here.

Benoit Saint-Denis (13-1-0) has reeled off five straight stoppage wins since 2022 and is considered a future challenger at 155 pounds. The Frenchman combines excellent striking with an elite submission game and can make a huge splash with a win in this co-main event. He has only faced the judges once as a professional, resulting in a strange loss to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, but has otherwise looked like a technical and tactical master throughout his bouts.

Kevin Holland v Michael Page fight preview

Kevin Holland vs Michael Page

Kevin Holland (25-10-0) is a difficult fighter to support given his hot-and-cold performances. He is one of the most naturally talented welterweights on the roster but regularly squanders opportunities for reasons that remain a mystery. The 31-year-old has two wins and three losses since 2022 and will need to bring his A-game to this difficult assignment.

Michael Page (21-2-0) makes his UFC debut after a lengthy stint with the rival Bellator promotion. The 36-year-old is coming off a leg kick TKO in March 2023 after losing a shot at the interim welterweight championship. Page is a tall striker with a long reach, and he matches favourably against a similar physical specimen here.

Gilbert Burns v Jack Della Maddalena fight preview

Gilbert Burns vs Jack Della Maddalena

Gilbert Burns (22-6-0) has shared the cage with the best welterweight talent with wins over Jorge Masvidal, Neil Magny and Stephen Thompson, and losses to Khamzat Chimaev and Usman Kumara. The Brazilian is a phenomenal grappler and has submitted nine opponents as a professional. The 37-year-old might have lost a yard in the last year or two, but we are very confident about his chances in this matchup — especially at the odds on offer with the top UFC bookmakers.

Jack Della Maddalena (16-2-0) was fortunate to get the judges’ nod against Bassil Hafez and Kevin Holland in his last two fights. The Aussie might have been overhyped given his rapid rise since earning a UFC contract, and an opponent of this calibre might isolate some deficiencies. The 27-year-old is a crisp striker with a dangerous left hand, but the UFC betting sites have him priced far too short.

Petr Yan v Song Yadong fight preview

Petr Yan vs Song Yadong

Petr Yan (16-5-0) has continued to slide since losing his bantamweight belt to Aljamain Sterling in a controversial disqualification. The Russian has since been beaten by Sterling in a rematch, Sean O’Malley in a razor decision, and Merab Dvalishvili in an obvious beatdown. The 31-year-old has also worn a lot of damage and needs to find a lift if he is to get back on track.

Song Yadong (21-7-1) has compiled a handsome run of five wins and one loss since 2021, with the defeat coming at the hands of perennial contender Corey Sandhagen. The 26-year-old hits with solid power but has struggled somewhat with endurance in the past, with four of his career losses coming via the scorecard. A win here would give the Chinese athlete a top-five ranking and a chance at competing for the belt soon.

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