The UFC retains unleashing banger after banger, and it’s not completely different come June seventh, when MMA followers get a tremendous card at UFC 316.
Even when each single betting favourite prevails, UFC 316 goes to be a enjoyable watch. Nonetheless, MMA is as unstable because it will get on the earth of betting on the UFC, and there are a number of UFC 316 underdogs that ought to be in your radar.
UFC 316 Underdogs: 3 Fighters Who Might Shock
Sean O’Malley Over Merab Dvalishvili
Up first, is Sean O’Malley getting again on observe towards Merab DvUFCalishvili. This can be a rematch after Dvalishvili outlasted O’Malley by way of Determination final September.
Merab is the apparent favourite to as soon as once more get the win, however at +265 at some MMA betting websites, O’Malley is just too good of a price to disregard. The most important issue is clearly his explosiveness, as Suga has 12 profession KOs, and he has completed his opponents in a mess of the way.
This can be a stark distinction to his opponent, as Dvalishvili has superior protection and easily outscores whoever he’s dealing with, as his 15 Determination wins can attest. Merab has additionally by no means been KO’d, additional displaying simply how tough this activity is for O’Malley.
Scared cash doesn’t become profitable, although. O’Malley has much more ending means between the 2, and it solely takes one punch for Merab to eat his first ever KO defeat. Including to the attract of an O’Malley KO? Merab is 4 years older, O’Malley does have a major attain benefit (4 inches), and he’s additionally a lot taller.
If we go simply off of skill-set, resume, and the primary assembly, then certain, Dvalishvili isn’t enjoyable to guess towards. Nonetheless, that is for the Bantamweight title belt and crazier issues have occurred.
Merab just isn’t a passive fighter within the least. If he’s as aggressive along with his takedowns as he was within the first struggle, he might go away a gap for O’Malley to take benefit.
Julianna Pena Over Kayla Harrison
As bizarre because it sounds, this UFC 316 upset choose is admittedly even much less seemingly. Kayla Harrison is a Judo phenom, she’s huge, she’s robust, and he or she has a shot on the ladies’s Bantamweight title guess.
At age 34, Harrison goes to start out her decline someday quickly, so it’s now or by no means for her to blow up into being the face of ladies’s MMA within the UFC. That mentioned, she has simply two fights below the UFC banner, and he or she isn’t invincible (she misplaced to Larissa Pacheco in 2022).
On the opposite facet is reigning champion Julianna Pena, who’s a staggering +650 UFC 316 underdog, relying on the place you’re betting. Pena isn’t any stranger to huge girls who can throw their weight round, after all, as she survived two battles with Amanda Nunes – successful one.
Everyone seems to be anticipating Harrison to dominate en path to UFC glory, however what if it doesn’t occur? Harrison is statistically the far more aggressive and assertive fighter, and he or she’s favored as a result of she most likely can and can management this factor. When it comes to takedown offense and protection, she simply has the sting.
That mentioned, Pena is hard as nails, she’s confronted the next degree of competitors, and he or she does have a three-inch attain edge on this one. Whereas this can be a tougher upset to get behind, Pena is an efficient fighter and her value is just too good to cross up.
You’re merely not betting on Harrison at her present value, and there’s nothing right here that ensures a end. Personally, I’d be hammering “go the gap” wagers”, and/or I’d goal Pena for the upset.
Vicente Luque Over Kevin Holland
Now that we have now the 2 headlining fights out of the best way, let’s get to the third of our UFC 316 underdogs that may be a bit simpler to abdomen. I’ve lots of respect for Kevin Holland, however he’s clearly on the again 9 of his profession and easily hasn’t been capable of end folks off like he used to.
Holland enters UFC 316 as a betting favourite, and it’s price noting that he’s coming off of a win towards Gunnar Nelson. That mentioned, Holland is simply 2-4 over his final six fights, and the 34-year outdated has a little bit of a problem on his palms when dealing with Vicente Luque.
Luque has 10 profession losses, however most of his current defeats have come towards actually robust competitors. A Determination loss to Belal Muhammad is greater than comprehensible, whereas getting TKO’d by Joaquin Buckley additionally isn’t overly shameful.
On the flip facet, Luque can nonetheless dish it out. He’s 2-1 over his final three fights, with one being a pleasant Determination win over Rafael dos Anjos, and his most up-to-date win seeing Themba Gorimbo faucet out.
This can be a fairly occasion battle, which is cause primary why I like Luque at his +155 price ticket (relying the place you guess). Holland has a giant edge in attain, however Luque is extra profitable along with his takedowns and grades out because the extra impactful striker.
Luque is admittedly the most secure UFC 316 underdog to focus on, however the upside related to Pena and O’Malley is fairly interesting.
Fundamental picture credit score: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
