UFC Vegas 97 Predictions & Best Bets

UFC Vegas 97 Predictions & Best Bets

After a rare week off, the UFC is back in action this Saturday with UFC Fight Night: Burns vs Brady (aka UFC Vegas 97), emanating from the UFC Apex. But this isn’t your typical UFC Apex Fight Night – this fight card is actually good, with some meaningful fights on it. Here are your UFC Vegas 97 predictions and best bets.

 

Ranking Sportsbook and Casino App Rating Welcome Offer Promo Code Terms & Conditions
SGPN's Top Book Caesars 4.9 Take a swing with your first bet—if it misses, we’ve got your back! Get $1,000 in bonus bets to keep the thrill alive No Code Needed Must be 21 or older and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt.Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY,KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Harrah’s New Orleans),ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine),NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia):If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visitmdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXTSTEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800- BETSOFF.©2024, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER MA:CALL 1-800-327-5050 or visitgamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)
2 BetMGM 4.8 Get up to $1500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets No Code Needed Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
3 FanDuel 4.5 Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass Expires on 2024-12-18T06:59:00.000Z No Code Needed Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states. Void where prohibited. New Customer only. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Expires on 7/28/2024 at 11:59 PM EST. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, D.C., IA, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT, WY), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), www.1800gambler.net (WV).
4 DraftKings 4.4 New Customers: Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets Instantly Expires on 2024-12-04T04:59:00.000Z No Code Needed GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537 (AZ/CO/DC/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/ME/MI/NC/NH/NJ/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV/WY), (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT). 21+ (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/DC/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY/LA(select parishes)/MA/MD/ME/MI/NC/NJ/NY/OH/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV/WY only. Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Get 1 promo code to redeem 1-month of access to NFL+ Premium and max. $250 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Ends 9/19/24 11:59 PM ET. Terms: dkng.co/ftball. NFL+ Premium Terms: Offer only for eligible subscribers & must be redeemed by 11:59PM 9/30/24; After 1-month promo period, subscription automatically renews each month at then-current price (currently $14.99/mth) until cancelled; Addt’l terms: nfl.com/terms.
5 Underdog Fantasy 4.9 Double Your First Deposit Bonus Up To $1000 No Code Needed Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Go here for more UFC picks!

UFC Vegas 97 Predictions & Best Bets

Sean Brady (-185) vs Gilbert Burns

One of those aforementioned meaningful fights conveniently is slotted into the main event spot on Saturday, pitting top welterweights Sean Brady and Gilbert Burns. The 38-year-old Burns represents the old guard, and 31-year-old Brady the new wave.

I’m going with the younger man in Brady. While, even at this point in their careers, Burns is probably the better striker and grappler, he isn’t a better wrestler than Brady. I expect Brady to make this a grimy fight and ground out a win on the ground. Plus, it’s hard to back a 38-year-old coming off a knockout loss.

Natalia Silva (-295) vs Jessica Andrade

The co-main event is pretty much a carbon copy of the main, with an up-and-comer (Natalia Silva) going up against a veteran (probably) on their way down (Jessica Andrade). And, once again, I’m taking the youngster.

But I don’t like this line on Silva at all. While Silva is lightning quick, longer, and six years younger, former champ Andrade has proven to still be game, winning her last two fights. I think Silva can dart in and out and stay out of danger, but the -295 price on her is steep.

Steve Garcia (-180) vs Kyle Nelson

The number we’re getting on Steve Garcia I like a lot better, despite Kyle Nelson’s hot run. Garcia is as dangerous as they get at featherweight, with 13 knockouts among his 16 career victories.

Nelson gets hit way too much to last against a guy like Garcia, who not only hits like a truck but also outvolumes his opponents (he lands almost 2.5 times more strikes per minute than he gets hit with). But with his T/KO prop only at -114, it’s probably best to play it safe and just take him on the moneyline.

Vanessa Demopoulos (+250) vs Jacqueline Amorim

Let’s get you a big dog pick here. Even if she doesn’t win, Vanessa Demopoulos will certainly fight for our money. But, obviously since I’m picking her, I think she can upset Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Jacqueline Amorim.

Demopoulos is hell on wheels in the cage and tough as nails (two turns of phrase, one sentence). While she isn’t better at BJJ than Amorim, she is more physically strong and a very good grappler and wrestler. Let’s roll the dice.

Trevor Peek via T/KO (+300) vs Yanal Ashmouz

We’ll end off with a prop bet. Let’s sprinkle a little money on Mr. Hammerfists himself, Trevor Peek, to finish Yanal Ashmouz with strikes in their main card lightweight fight on Saturday.

Of Peek’s nine pro wins, eight have come via knockout, so +300 is a very nice value play (considering he’s -125 on the moneyline). While Ashmouz has never been stopped in a professional fight, he also has never fought a wildman like Peek.

 

If you’d like even more UFC Vegas 97  picks, be sure to check out the MMA Gambling Podcast. The guys are dropping weekly episodes to make you the smartest guy at the bar. 

Related Content
WATCH
LISTEN
MORE