UFC 288 Hot Prospect Betting Pick
Gilbert Burns ML (-124) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
We’re back with another hot prospect of the week betting pick as the UFC arrives in Newark, New Jersey, and a fight card stacked with a high level of talent, including the return of two-division champion Henry Cejudo.
Continue reading for our best UFC picks, taking a first look at Gilbert Burns and his opponent, Belal Muhammad.
UFC 288 Information
- When: Saturday, May 06, 2023 – 09:05 PM EDT
- Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
- Scheduled Bouts: 14
- Main Event: Aljamain Sterling (C) vs. Henry Cejudo [Bantamweight Championship]
Gilbert Burns: Hot Prospect Profile
- Pro MMA Record: 22-3-0 (6 KO, 9 submissions, 7 decisions)
- UFC Record: 6-5 (3 KO, 5 submissions, 7 decisions)
Gilbert Burns has taken a fight with Belal Muhammad on short notice, an opponent that is notably undefeated in 9 straight UFC bouts. We tip our hat to the Brazilian, who’ll enter the octagon this weekend for his third fight of 2023.
The hunger for another opportunity at the welterweight championship is apparent. Considering the division has a new champion – Leon Edwards – that Burns hasn’t competed against, it comes as no surprise.
With 16 UFC contests to his name, Burns owns a reputation as one of the company’s most recognizable jiu-jitsu practitioners. He’s also become somewhat of a striking menace over the years and presents an excellent skillset to challenge Muhammad for his unblemished streak dating back to 2019.
Gilbert Burns vs. Belal Muhammad: The Fight Tape
“Active competition” should be Muhammad’s nickname. Since losing to Geoff Neal in 2019, he’s run through the 175 lb weight class with 8 wins and 1 no-contest. However, we must highlight the no-contest with Leon Edwards, where he was getting owned during striking exchanges before the bout ended.
Muhammad loves to grapple, a tactic at the forefront of his UFC victories. However, it isn’t easy to envision him succeeding with this style against Burns. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert cannot be taken lightly on the ground, and a striking battle could become the story of Saturday’s co-main event.
Both men have presented incredible durability during their professional MMA careers, and in a bout with a high probability of reaching the judge’s scorecards, I believe optics will be everything. Burns will be faster in striking exchanges and own the more powerful shots. As Belal looks desperate during failed takedowns, I expect the judges to hand Burns at least 3 of the 5 scheduled rounds.
Burns Moneyline (-124): UFC 288 Hot Prospect Best Bet
The UFC odds opened Burns as a -180 favorite. But thanks to the public at U.S. betting sites, money has come in on Muhammad, and we’re now gifted with -124 on the Brazilian jiu-jitsu mastermind.
Muhammad won’t have the comfortability of cage or top control when faced with Burn’s grappling defenses. The speed and power of Burns will dictate the judge’s opinion, and if he doesn’t find a submission or KO/TKO, I expect a unanimous decision in favor of “Durinho”.
UFC Pick: Gilbert Burns ML (-124) [1.24u to win 1u] at BetOnline
UFC 288 Main Card & Odds
- Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo [UFC bantamweight championship bout]
- Gilbert Burns vs. Belal Muhammad [UFC co-main welterweight bout]
- Jessica Andrade vs. Xiaonan Yan [UFC women’s strawweight bout]
- Movsar Evloev vs. Santiago Bryce Mitchell [UFC featherweight bout]
- Kron Gracie vs. Charles Jourdain [UFC featherweight bout]
UFC 288 Preliminary Card & Odds
- Drew Dober vs. Matt Frevola [UFC lightweight bout]
- Devin Clark vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu [UFC light heavyweight bout]
- Khaos Williams vs. Rolando Bedoya [UFC welterweight bout]
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Virna Jandiroba [UFC women’s strawweight bout]
- Parker Porter vs. Braxton Smith [UFC heavyweight bout]
- Ikram Aliskerov vs. Phil Hawes [UFC middleweight bout]
- Zhalgas Zhumagulov vs. Rafael Estevam [UFC flyweight bout]
- Joseph Holmes vs. Claudio Ribeiro [UFC middleweight bout]
- Daniel Santos vs. Johnny Munoz Jr. [UFC bantamweight 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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