Top UFC 287 Prop Pick
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Chris Curtis: Chris Curtis on Points (+200) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Picks Summary
- Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez: Over 2 ½ Rounds (-120)
- Kelvin Gastelum vs. Chris Curtis: Chris Curtis on Points (+200)
Israel Adesanya, Jorge Masvidal, Gilbert Burns, and Alex Pereira. What more could the Miami crowd want in the UFC’s return to Florida with a premier event for the first time in over 15 years?
The UFC 287 prop betting markets are now available at U.S. betting sites; continue reading for our perfect proposition wagers.
We’ve singled out our best UFC picks as we dive into the betting analysis for the UFC 287 fight card scheduled for this Saturday.
UFC 287 Information
- When: Saturday, April 08, 2023 – 10:00 PM EDT
- Where: Kaseya Center
- Scheduled Fights: 13
- Main Event: Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2 (UFC Middleweight Championship Bout)
Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez
UFC 287 Bantamweight Bout
Rob Font
Former top-five ranked bantamweight Rob Font (19-6-0) enters the cage on Saturday riding a two-fight win streak; however, this losing streak doesn’t tell the entire story.
Font is incredibly talented, an excellent striker with a BJJ black belt, and despite losing to Jose Aldo and Marlon Vera consecutively, he notably out-struck both fighters on the significant strike counter.
Adrian Yanez
Looking to snap his losing streak, Font will face an undefeated up-and-comer Adrian Yanez (16-3-0). Yanez has enjoyed great success since joining the promotion in 2020 and is now riding a 5-fight win streak, with four of those bouts ending inside the distance.
The Prop Bet Breakdown
The UFC understands they have a talented fighter in Yanez, and another win notched on his belt would undoubtedly place him as a top contender. However, the level of competition he’s faced thus far hasn’t been on the level of Font.
Yanez is one of the cleanest technical boxers in the bantamweight division, and his punching power has evidently been a problem for most. Unfortunately for him, Font's speed and technical ability won’t allow him to find a rhythm.
I expect Font to be continuously in the face of Yanez, and he owns the greater grappling skillset to fall back on if needed. Furthermore, Font will be the largest bantamweight Yanez has faced and could certainly compete as a featherweight or even a lightweight.
The Pick
The available UFC odds favor the undefeated prospect, and with a price of +156, we cannot neglect the underdog.
Font is the gatekeeper for elite bantamweights. Although he hasn’t reached the golden opportunity of a title fight, he’s made an excellent showing of himself against former champions and top-ranked fighters and has the fight IQ, speed, and size to dampen the hype of Yanez.
However, we’re looking for prop picks, and while the Font moneyline is an excellent price, we can find more betting comfortability in the over 2 ½ rounds. Yanez has the tools, and by backing the over, we can cover our backs in a fight between two durable fighters that will likely need the judges’ scorecards to determine a winner.
UFC Pick: Over 2 ½ Rounds (-120) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Chris Curtis
UFC 287 Middleweight Bout
Kelvin Gastelum
Kelvin Gastelum (17-8-1) is a former middleweight title challenger involved in some of UFC history's most memorable 185lb bouts. Unfortunately, a 1-5 record from his previous six bouts doesn’t display his true potential on paper.
However, we shouldn’t be fooled. Gastelum is game and has notably been competing against the division's elite. He’ll now face a contender in Curtis, who isn’t a proven top-ranked fighter, but that doesn’t necessarily mean his opponent can’t use him as a stepping stone to the top.
Chris Curtis
Much like Gastelum, Chris Curtis (30-9-0) doesn’t play games in the octagon and is often involved in memorable fights.
Despite his record's lack of top-tier UFC opponents, Curtis has significantly more MMA experience, with 39 pro bouts. He is unquestionably one of the best boxers in the middleweight division.
The Prop Bet Breakdown
We have two brawlers that love to exchange strikes. We won’t see much grappling on Saturday, an almost guaranteed factor when evaluating these styles.
Gastelum will likely throw more kicks and look to keep his striking efforts on the outside, while Curtis thrives inside the pocket at delivering damaging power shots behind a smooth boxing technique.
The durability of these two fighters is something else, which is displayed with the fight going the distance odds. However, Curtis will be the more powerful striker, and if anybody receives the judges’ blessing, it’ll be the guy who can land the damage – something Gastelum hasn’t worn well in the past.
The Pick
The available UFC odds make Gastelum the slight moneyline favorite. Although he’s an ultra-talented UFC veteran, he’s facing a knowledgeable striker with more oomph behind his boxing attacks.
I expect Curtis to extend his 4-1 UFC record and claim the first big-named value win in Miami. Gastelum has been through countless wars, suffered multiple health issues outside the octagon, and simply hasn’t been active enough to overcome the damaging hands Curtis has displayed in the octagon thus far.
UFC Pick: Curtis by Points (+200) at BetOnline
UFC 287 Main Card & Odds
- Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya [UFC middleweight main event bout]
- Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal [UFC co-main welterweight bout]
- Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez [UFC bantamweight bout]
- Kevin Holland vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio [UFC welterweight bout]
- Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Christian Rodriguez [UFC bantamweight bout]
UFC 287 Preliminary Card & Odds
- Kelvin Gastelum vs. Chris Curtis [UFC middleweight bout]
- Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Luana Pinheiro [UFC women’s strawweight bout]
- Karl Williams vs. Chase Sherman [UFC heavyweight bout]
- Gerald Meerschaert vs. Joseph Pyfer [UFC middleweight bout]
- Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lupita Godinez [UFC women’s strawweight bout]
- Trey Ogden vs. Ignacio Bahamondes [UFC catchweight bout]
- Steve Garcia vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke [UFC featherweight bout]
- Sam Hughes vs. Jaqueline Amorim [UFC women’s strawweight bout]
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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