WE ARE LIVE! It has been almost a month since Opinion Octagon posted our picks in the form of an article. After a long meeting with the Apple Genius Bar, the graphics team is back up and running! That said, let's get ready to break down tomorrow night's biggest fights! As always we are using the Draftkings fight lines. We are only calling four fights for UFC 288, but Opinion Octagon is confident! The first fight we're looking at is Matt Frevola (+180) vs Drew Dober (-210). I don't think this one is going the distance, hammering the fight not to go the distance for (-280) could be a big play, or a nice play to throw in a parlay. However, I gotta roll with the Steamrolla, Matt Frevola straight up. Matt is super underrated Frevola is 2-2 in his last 4, but he's heating up on a two-fight winning streak. Dober is also on a three-fight winning streak and seems to be on fire. However, it is super hard to bet against Steamrolla's coach, Ray Longo. This'll be Ray's first fight of the night and he'll close out in the main event in Sterling's corner. I'm looking forward to this fight as it should win the fight of the night. It is criminal not to put Dober and Frevola on the main card, but apparently, Kron Gracie is somehow a bigger draw than the guy who is tied with Dustin Poirier for the most finishes in Lightweight history and the next big thing in the Lightweight division. There are fireworks written all over this fight, I'm taking Frevola!
The next fight we're taking is Jessica Andrade (-165) vs Xiaonan Yan (+140). I have no idea who is going to win this fight. Both women are 3-2 in their last 5. Both women are also extremely tough, Andrade fights usually don't go the distance, while most of Yan's fights do. I'm not saying Yan will control the pace of the fight, but I don't see either woman going down this Saturday night. I'm taking the winning method via decision (-150). That is gonna be the play for this fun Strawweight bout!
The co-main event of UFC 288 has to be the wildest co-main event in recent history. Gilbert Burns co-main UFC 287. I don't know how many fighters have ever fought back-to-back pay-per-views let alone co-main eventing back-to-back major events. Belal Muhammed (+125) vs Gilbert Burns (-145) is pretty intense considering how unclear the Welterweight title picture currently is. The majority of the real UFC fans (as opposed to the casuals) would like to see one of Belal or Gilbert fight Leon in his next title defense as they are the fourth and fifth-ranked Welterweights respectively. Burns may be one of the most exciting fighters and the most active fighter in 2023, but Belal is on a nine-fight win streak and has been waiting for his title shot. A win over Gilbert should propel him to being the number one contender. I'm taking Belal (+125). Burns might not have taken much damage in his two fights this year, but I like how fresh Bully B is, plus Belal's striking looked second to none against Sean Brady in October. Many questioned if Belal can strike with some of the best strikers and if UFC 281 didn't prove the haters wrong, UFC 288 will!
Finally for the main event. Aljamain Sterling (-105) vs Henry Cejudo (-115). Yes, both of these men are somehow favored while the money slightly leans toward Henry's side. Henry is an absolute legend, and yes we saw Jon Jones return after three years and win a title, but Henry isn't Jon and Aljo certainly isn't Gane. Aljo is one of the most complete fighters in the UFC and many fans like to poke fun at his title reign because it started with him getting knocked out to become the champion. Yet, Aljo proved he can beat Petr Yan in a five-round Championship fight when he beat him in the rematch. Aljo also destroyed TJ Dillashaw when they faced off. Sure TJ's shoulder was compromised, but what did you want Aljo to do? He took care of business and won like the champion he is. Frankly, I feel like Sterling is a Featherweight fighting in the Bantamweight Division. He just seems so much bigger than everyone he's fighting. And Cejudo is already so small, to begin with. I like Aljo inside the distance (+300 double chance winning method KO/TKO/DQ or Submission), but I think Aljo straight up (-105) is the much safer play. Clearly, we're taking Aljo and I'm even putting a lock on it!
There you have it! We are back and those are our picks for UFC 288! Aljo (-105), Belal (+125), Andrade vs Yan to end via Decision (-150), and Steamrolla Frevola (+180).
Comments