UFC 257 Picks
Ready for UFC 257 picks and betting odds & predictions? This UFC card will take place on Saturday, January 23rd with a headliner grudge match between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. We are looking to start the first PPV of 2021 off right and what better than with one of the biggest names in sports in a rematch against a fighter that is ranked #2 in the division.
Event: UFC 257 Poirier vs. McGregor
Date: Saturday, January 23rd 2021
Time: 10:00 P.M. EST.
Location: UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Broadcast: ESPN+
Main Event: Conor McGregor (-320) vs. Dustin Poirier (+260)
Free UFC 257 Picks – If you’re not a UFC fan I still think you shoulder order this card. What more can you want than a McGregor fight plus there are a few potential title challengers as well.
Dustin Poirier is coming off a win against Dan Hooker in June of 2020 this was a war in this fight and he needed a few months of rest. Before that he lost his title shot against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
This fight will be very important for Conor McGregor if he is going to make a run at UFC gold again. McGregor took off a year with his last fight in January of 2020.
This fight to me comes down to what Conor do we see. Do we see the Conor from before the Floyd fight that was motivated and hungry or the one that just seems to be going through the motions and doing it because he can make money. The other is how rusty will Conor be having not fought in over 365 days and his biggest weapon is the timing and power in his left hand.
All that said Dustin Poirier is no slouch, he has heavy hands and is willing to strike and trade with anyone in the UFC. He will not back down and has shown he can fight in a war for 5 rounds. He will try and push Conor to the edge of his gas tank and see if he can go 5 rounds.
Both of these fighters are southpaws so lining up their left hands will be key for both of them. I expect both to have a similar game plan and look to land heavy shots. I do not think we see this hit the mat unless someone gets hurt or shoots a bad takedown. I think McGregor’s odds are a little high for this fight. But I am still picking him to win, one way to find value is betting him to win by TKO.
MMA Betting Prediction: Conor McGregor
Dan Hooker (-125) vs Michael Chandler (+105)
Free UFC 257 Picks – This will be an exciting fight. Every Dan Hooker fight he has fought in has been exciting taking on someone trying to prove they belong in their first fight (Michael Chandler) not in Bellator.
Dan Hooker lost in an absolute war with Dustin Poirier last June as discussed above, but before that he was on a 3-0 run and beating some of the top competition in the division.
Michael Chandler was a Three-time Bellator world champion. So he has fought against some top competition in another organization and will look to stamp his mark on the UFC.
This will be a high paced fight both fighters will be looking to assert their style on the fight. Chandler will look to potential mix in his wrestling while hooker will throw all his limbs and be looking to finish Chandler.
My pick for this fight is Hooker, I think that he can defend the takedowns and will be able to punish Chandler on his feet or maybe even catch Chandler shooting for a bad takedown and submit him.
MMA Betting Prediction: Dan Hooker
Joanne Calderwood (-125) vs Jessica Eye (+105)
This fight pits #6 against #7 in the flyweight division. One of these ladies will be looking for a kick start to a title run in 2021.
Jessica Eye and Joanna Calderwood will be mainly a striking match and for that I would give my lean to Calderwood. She more active on the feet landing 5.86 SS per min, she also lands more takedowns at 1.61 per 15 minutes.
With those stats I would take Calderwood to win by decision and potentially win 30-27 on the scorecards due to volume and output.
MMA Betting Prediction: Joanne Calderwood
Ottman Azaitar (-165) vs. Matt Frevola (+145)
This fight has been scratched.
Amanda Ribas (-320) vs. Marina Rodriguez (+260)
MMA Betting Prediction: Amanda Ribas
Free UFC 257 Picks on ESPN
Arman Tsarukyan (-275) vs. Nasrat Haqparast (+235)
Free UFC 257 Picks – I love this fight and as the Main prelim it will be a spot where two young fighters get to showcase their talent. One of the two will be looking to climb up the rankings in 2021. But I will pick the underdog here because I think more value lies there.
MMA Betting Prediction: Nasrat Haqparast
Brad Tavares (-140) vs. Antonio Carlos Junior (+120)
MMA Betting Prediction: Brad Tavares
Sara McMann (-120) vs. Julianna Pena (+100)
MMA Betting Prediction: Sara McMann
Khalil Rountree Jr. (-330) vs. Marcin Prachino (+270)
Free UFC 257 Picks – I love this fight and it will be fireworks both of these dudes will be looking to knock each others heads off and I would be willing to say this may not make it out of the first round.
MMA Betting Prediction: Khalil Rountree Jr.
Makhmud Muradov (-135) vs. Andrew Sanchez (+115)
MMA Betting Prediction: Makhmud Muradov
Movsar Evloev (-475) vs. Nik Lentz (+380)
MMA Betting Prediction: Movsar Evloev
Zhalgas Zhumagulov (-115) vs. Amir Albazi (-105)
MMA Betting Prediction: Amir Albazi
Knecht’s Parlay of the Week
Ribas, Rountree, McGregor +116
Knecht’s Longshot UFC 257 Underdog of the Week
Nasrat Haqparast (+235)
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8 total bets, 2 parlays. Good luck and always, be advised.
Check out our Updated UFC 257 Odds.
