The UFC octagon makes its long-awaited return to Australia on Saturday for UFC 284, with a card chock-full of Australians. And, not surprisingly, my UFC 284 DraftKings lineup is also lousy with Australians on it. Does it include the #1 P4P fighter that is in Saturday’s main event? Read on.
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UFC 284 DraftKings Picks, Fantasy UFC
Jack Jenkins – $9,300
I wasn’t expecting Jack Jenkins to be the big-ticket item this week, but here we are. He’s probably a little overpriced, but I had the budget room left so let’s do it. Jenkins looked great winning on last season of Dana White’s Contender Series, part of a seven-fight winning streak that stretches back to March 2018. He’s fighting a guy, Don Shainis, who got steamrolled in 30 seconds in his UFC debut, and he’s fighting on his home soil.
Jack Della Maddalena – $9,200
I’m not, however, surprised that another Aussie, Jack Della Maddalena, found his way into my lineup. The welterweight prospect has done nothing but impress since breaking out on DWCS, winning his fight there and then TKOing all three of his UFC opponents since. He’s averaging a crazy 116.8 fantasy points per fight, and while Randy Brown is a step up in competition for him, I see him outclassing him on Saturday.
Jamie Mullarkey – $8,700
I’m super-heavy on Australians for this card – here’s another one in Jamie Mullarkey. Mullarkey’s opponent this week, Francisco Prado, is making his UFC debut on short(ish) notice, and he’s never fought in any reputable organizations. Mullarkey is bigger, better, and more experienced. I’ll gladly grab him for $8,700
Yair Rodriguez – $8,500
Yair Rodriguez (who is not Australian) is fighting for the interim UFC Featherweight Championship in Saturday’s co-main event. While his opponent, Josh Emmett, has crazy power, he’s not a very good striker from distance. I think Rodriguez will be the better striker and grappler here, plus he’s bigger and younger. Additionally, ‘El Pantera’ is a pretty safe bet to score you some good fantasy points, win or lose.
Alonzo Menifield – $7,600
I don’t know why Alonzo Menifield is a big underdog here, but I’ll take it. He’s a better striker than Jimmy Crute, and while he hasn’t scored a bunch of knockouts lately, 10 of his 13 wins come via (T)KO, as well as his last two wins, which scored him 123 and 103 fantasy points. Jimmy Crute is coming off of a knockout loss and an injury loss before that, and has been on the shelf since December 2021.
Alexander Volkanovski – $6,700
Getting the best fighter on the planet for $6,700?! Who would have thunk it?! I’m not buying all the talk that Alexander Volkanovski is going to be too small for Islam Makhachev on Saturday night. The man is a tank with the best fight IQ in the game. He averages 110.4 fantasy points per fight and has earned at least 103 points in four straight fights.
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