The UFC returns to our screens for another talent-stacked fight card from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Top-ranked heavyweight contenders Curtis Blaydes and Chris Daukaus will meet in the center of the octagon for next weekend’s main event.
Read on for our complete betting guide taking a first look at Blaydes and Daukaus, including updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC picks, predictions, and analysis.
UFC Heavyweight Main Event Bout
Saturday, March 26, 2022 – 07:00 PM EDT at Nationwide Arena
Following a 44-0 record on the American wrestling circuit, you could say that life as a mixed martial artist for Curtis Blaydes was destined to come to fruition.
The Chi-Town MMA professional fighting out of Elevation Fight Team has risen through the UFC heavyweight rankings since his inaugural bout in 2016, with the only blemishes on his record coming against the heaviest hitters in the sport (Ngannou and Lewis).
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Blaydes’ primary fighting base of collegiate wrestling has heavily assisted him during his MMA tenure, as he’s one of the most skilled grapplers – if not the – most skilled grappler amongst the heavyweight competitors.
Aged just 31 years old, Blaydes is exceptionally young in his journey to becoming UFC champion. With a No.6 ranking position, a handful of significant wins will undoubtedly edge him back into the title picture.
Blaydes Best Available Odds: -305 at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
After storming the UFC’s heavyweight division with four consecutive wins - all by way of knockout - Philadelphia’s Chris Daukaus has propelled himself amongst the elite with a top-15 ranking position.
The former police officer fighting out of Martinez BJJ in his home state of Philly boasts a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and could potentially welcome the offensive grappling of Blaydes. However, it’s the striking game that has assisted Daukaus the most during his professional MMA career.
Daukaus’ early career delivered a mixture of results, but he’s indeed come into his own throughout the previous three years. Putting a stop to four UFC heavyweights upon his arrival to the promotion is a statement-making endeavor. Like his opponent this weekend, we’ve got countless more years of evolution to witness from Chris Daukaus.
Daukaus Best Available Odds: +255 at BetOnline
Let’s not beat around the bush. Curtis Blaydes will do what he does best – wrestle.
Although Daukaus has presented himself as a dangerous threat on the feet, he doesn’t entirely own the stopping power of Ngannou and Lewis, the only two men who’ve been able to stop Blaydes from dominating the situation with his grappling prowess.
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Whether it’s a single or double leg takedown, the level change will eventually occur, and Daukaus will be presented with the heavyweight division's most skillful offensive wrestler.
Daukaus has proven to be a well-rounded MMA athlete throughout his career, but since beginning his stint under the UFC banner, it’s been an all-out battle on the feet in most scenarios.
Daukaus owns the BJJ skills to compete on the ground with lower-level martial artists, but he’ll want to stay clear of Blaydes in this department and focus on keeping this fight standing.
Snapping his jab from the outside, whilst avoiding the use of leg kicks, whilst waiting for the opportune moment to land a damaging KO blow is the only path to victory I see for Daukaus.
The available odds at Bookmakers Review favor Blaydes and it's easy to see why.
The wrestling accolades and attributes of Blaydes are a problem for 95% of the division, and his ability to fool opponents into a striking exchange before clasping his hands around their legs and taking fighters for a ride is always present.
Blaydes’ offense will cause so much tentative movement from Daukaus I can’t envision any other result besides a victory for the betting favorite. And yes, Blaydes will likely ground and pound his way to a TKO stoppage victory.
UFC Pick: Blaydes to Win Inside the Distance (-145) [1.45u returns 1u profit] at BetOnline
*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.