The UFC octagon returns to the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas this weekend for their UFC 265 pay-per-view. While it isn’t the strongest of UFC PPV fight cards, I’ve still done my due diligence and came up with a winning UFC 265 DraftKings lineup for you (you’re welcome). Read on!
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UFC 265 Betting Guide
UFC 265 DraftKings Roster
Ciryl Gane – $9,400
My big-ticket purchase for this event is one-half of the main event, undefeated heavyweight Ciryl Gane. While opponent Derrick Lewis has scary power, Gane has proven to have the patient, cerebral, well-rounded game to beat every opponent put before him (averaging over 90 FPPF in the process). There’s a good chance he wears Lewis down and finishes him via TKO or submission on Saturday night, earning us big points.
Jose Aldo – $8,600
I’m dipping into the co-main event for my next pick and snatching up former featherweight god Jose Aldo. Aldo has a very favorable bantamweight matchup against Pedro Munhoz, who gets hit more often than he dishes out licks. Look for Aldo to have the striking and defense to thwart Munhoz and be a nice pickup for us.
Vicente Luque – $8,500
The top average point earner on this card is Vicente Luque, who averages a hefty 93.1 FPPF. He’s reeled off three straight 100-plus performances, and eight of his last ten octagon appearances saw him post triple-digits. He’s fighting grappling-heavy Michael Chiesa on Saturday, so I’m counting on Luque getting the job done on the feet and avoiding Chiesa’s ground game. If that doesn’t work, he’s solid on the mat himself.
Casey Kenney – $8,200
Casey Kenney has been a pretty solid point getter throughout his UFC career, averaging 67.8 points, topping that number in three of his last four fights. I like him in his matchup against Song Yadong this weekend, as I feel Kenney is the better striker and grappler. Even in defeat his last time in the cage, Kenney still scored 30 points, so hopefully that’s the worst-case scenario here.
Victoria Leonardo – $7,400
Victoria Leonardo is entering her fight Saturday as an underdog, despite her opponent, Melissa Gatto, making her UFC debut after three years out of the cage. Gatto is strictly a grappler, so I think ‘Fury’ can light her up on the feet and perhaps earn us some solid points via (T)KO. Cheap price, regardless.
Ode’ Osbourne – $7,200
Considering Ode’ Osbourne is coming off a 127 point performance in his last fight, I’ll gladly snatch him up for only $7,200. He’s moving down from featherweight to flyweight for this fight, so he’ll be much bigger and longer than opponent Manel Kape. Osbourne has also shown to be a finisher, with four knockouts and four submissions in his nine pro victories. Plus Kape is 0-2 in the UFC and looked very passive in both those fights while showing poor fight IQ.
Listen to this:
UFC 265 Gambling Preview (Chunky & Hunky)| MMA Gambling Podcast (Ep.61)
Make sure to visit our odds page for up-to-the-minute lines from various books!