The UFC Apex in Las Vegas hosts the finals of this season of The Ultimate Fighter (yes, TUF is back) on Saturday. But I’m avoiding all fights involving guys from the show because I stopped paying attention to that program years ago. However, I still have a killer UFC Vegas 35 DraftKings roster for you that will hopefully win us some leagues this week.
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UFC Vegas 35 Betting Guide
UFC Vegas 35 DraftKings Roster
Makhmud Muradov – $9,300
My big-ticket item for this week is Makhmud Muradov, the first mixed martial artist signed to Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s The Money Team (he also had a previous profession where he went by the name Akhmed Virt – dare you to Google that). Muradov is an elite striker, having won his last two fights via (T)KO and he averages a robust 75.8 fantasy points per fight in the UFC. Going up against a grapple-only fighter in Gerald Meerschaert on Saturday, I expect him to light him up on the feet.
Jamall Emmers – $8,300
You’ve got to like a guy who posted 109 points in his last outing, right?! ‘Pretty Boy’ Jamall Emmers is the more active striker in his matchup against Pat Sabatini on Saturday, and is also a strong grappler. I’m counting on Emmers to use his size and length advantage to win the striking battle here, and hopefully use his wrestling to keep the fight standing.
Giga Chikadze – $8,000
I pop into UFC Vegas 35’s main event to grab slight underdog Giga Chikadze with my next choice. Chikadze is set up against fellow striking savant Edson Barboza on Saturday, in what should be a very exciting battle. ‘Ninja’ has gone for triple-digits fantasy points in his last two fights, and I see him doing the same here, winning hopefully via spectacular knockout.
Sam Alvey – $7,800
‘Smile’n’ Sam Alvey is fighting for his UFC life on Saturday, having gone winless over his last six fights (0-5, 1 NC). I like the thought of him being the hungry, motivated fighter in this battle against Wellington Turman. Plus, he’s a knockout machine and Turman has lost his last two fights via knockout, so the potential for mega points here is good.
Daniel Rodriguez – $7,700
‘D-Rod’ is a lame nickname, but I’m not adding Daniel Rodriguez to my roster for his moniker. Rodriguez is stepping into a marquee matchup against Kevin Lee on short notice, but I like his chances (especially at this price). He’s the top FPPF earner on this card, averaging a robust 93.9 points per fight. In four out of his six UFC fights he’s going for 100 points plus, and I think he’s got the striking skills to take care of Lee.
Abdul Razak Alhassan – $7,300
Finally, let’s ride with ‘Judo Thunder’, Abdul Razak Alhassan. While he’s lost three straight fights, his opponent on Saturday, Alessio Di Chirico, has only won once in his last four fights. Plus Alhassan is a finisher, with all 10 of his pro wins coming via knockout. In a five-fight span in the past, he topped 100 points in four of them. Let’s hope for that this weekend.
Listen to this:
UFC Vegas 35 Betting Preview (Don’t Google Akhmed Virt)| MMA Gambling Podcast (Ep.67)
Make sure to visit our odds page for up-to-the-minute lines from various books!
