The UFC octagon finally travels north to Canada this Saturday for its first event in that country since 2019. In terms of what we’ve been trained to expect for a pay-per-view offering from the company, this one is weak. However, that’s not to say there won’t be exciting action, and we won’t make loads of money off the proceedings. Here are my UFC 289 predictions and best bets.
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UFC 289 Predictions & Best Bets
Amanda Nunes (-315) vs. Irene Aldana
With the original main event of Amanda Nunes-Julianna Pena III scrapped, top contender Irene Aldana steps into her first crack at UFC gold on Saturday night. As the betting line shows, she doesn’t seem to stand too much of a chance.
While Nunes appears to not be at the absolute peak of her considerable powers any longer, she still should have enough to send Aldana home beltless. The champ could easily win a striking battle, but the path of least resistance for her would be to take this fight to the mat and finish it there.
Charles Oliveira (+126) vs. Beneil Dariush
Our co-main event is a defacto #1 contender fight at lightweight between former champ Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. Both men have strikingly similar well-rounded games, with both of their making real hay on the ground. I’m leaning towards the former champ Oliveira, as I think he can catch the sometimes wild and sloppy Dariush on the feet and hurt him. He’s worth a stab at, plus money.
Mike Malott (-195) vs Adam Fugitt
Third from the top on Saturday, we get Canadian Mike Malott battling Adam Fugitt in a welterweight fight. Neither men have the name recognition or resume to be this high up a PPV card, but this should be an explosive fight nonetheless.
I’m going with Malott to make it six straight wins on Saturday night, as he’s a dangerous all-around finisher (all wins have come via finish – four knockouts and five submissions), and he’s currently on a really nice roll.
Nassourdine Imavov (-150) vs. Chris Curtis
I thought long and hard about picking Chris Curtis in this fight, but I realized I was leaning that way because he’s a fun fighter and personality. I think the fact that he’s an undersized middleweight will hurt him here against Nassourdine Imavov. While their reach is the same, Imavov is five inches taller and eight years younger. I think the ‘Russian Sniper’ will be able to live up to his nickname and snipe away at Curtis from a distance.
Jasmine Jasudavicius (+250) vs. Miranda Maverick
My biggest swing on an underdog this week is Jasmine Jasudavicius. I don’t think this is my Canadian bias coming through, but perhaps it is. However, Jasudavicius is way bigger (four inches taller, three inches of reach) than Miranda Maverick and a very solid grappler. I think she bullies Maverick and out-grapples her for a decision win (+350 if you want to get fancy).
Aiemann Zahabi (+100) vs. Aoriqileng
Let’s get in on another Canadian underdog before we get out of here. Famous trainer Firas Zahabi’s kid brother Aiemann returns to action in his native land this weekend against Aoriqileng. The Chinese bantamweight gets hit far too often to be successful against a dangerous, explosive striker like Zahabi. Zahabi via T/KO at +550 also looks like a good play.
If you’d like even more information on UFC 289, be sure to check out the MMA Gambling Podcast. The guys are dropping four episodes a week to make you the smartest guy at the bar.
