The sequel could be even better.
Israel Adesanya fought Marvin Vettori once before in 2018. The fight went the distance with Adesanya winning a split decision. In fact, it was in the same place – Glendale, Arizona’s Gila River Arena – that will host Saturday’s UFC 263 card.
Vettori has won five straight fights since his loss to Adesanya. And Adesanya won seven straight fights before a loss by unanimous decision to Jan Blachowicz in March.
So Saturday’s middleweight Main Event features two fighters who have been red-hot recently.
And the sequel could be even better. Especially since DraftKings Sportsbook PA has a promotion for new users that could turn $1 into $100 if they pick the correct winner of the Main Event.
New users who sign up at DraftKings and make an initial deposit of $5 can get a $100 bonus beyond their wager’s earnings if their fighter wins. Users just have to bet at least $1 on the moneyline on Adesanya or Vettori and choose the correct side. If the wager wins, the bonus money will be paid out in DK dollars, which carry a one-time playthrough requirement before withdrawal.
So a big promotion for UFC betting in PA adds to what should be a big-time fight.
Oddsmakers think Adesanya vs. Vettori might go the distance
Adesanya is the favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook with a moneyline price of -250. Vettori is priced at +200.
Wagers are also available on the fight’s total rounds and whether or not it will go the distance. “Yes” is listed at -155, which suggests oddsmakers expect a lengthy battle.
The UFC 263 card has a lot to offer beyond the Main event as well. As noted in a preview at CBS Sports, the co-main event also features a pair of fighters that have met before.
In that match, a flyweight championship bout, Deiveson Figueiredo will face Brandon Moreno after fighting him to a draw in December.
UFC president Dana White called their first fight the best in the history of the flyweight division. Figueiredo (20-1-1) has only one loss in his UFC career and enters Saturday’s bout -250 on the moneyline. Moreno is +195.
Nate Diaz returns after bouts with Masvidal, Pettis, and McGregor
In another main card fight, Nate Diaz, who has fought some of the biggest names in the UFC, returns to the Octagon for the first time since 2019. Diaz (21-12) will take on Leon Edwards (18-3), who hasn’t lost a fight since 2015. Diaz is a huge underdog in the welterweight bout with a moneyline price of +385 at DraftKings. Edwards is -560.
The rest of Saturday’s fights and the moneyline odds according to DraftKings are as follows:
- Demian Maia (+180) vs. Belal Muhammad (-230)
- Paul Craig (+235) vs. Jamahal Hill (-305)
- Drew Dober (-130) vs. Brad Riddell (+105)
- Eryk Anders (-150) vs. Darren Stewart (+120)
- Movsar Evloev (-250) vs. Hakeem Dawodu (+195)
- Lauren Murphy (+120) vs. Joanne Calderwood (-152)
- Pannie Kianzad (-230) vs. Alexis Davis (+180)
- Frank Camacho (+170) vs. Matt Frevola (-215)
- Chase Hooper (-112) vs. Steven Peterson (-112)
- Fares Ziam (-139) vs. Luigi Vendramini (+112)
- Carlos Felipe (-177) vs. Jake Collier (+140)
DraftKings’ featured daily fantasy contest has a $750,000 prize pool
Saturday’s fights begin at 6 p.m. on ESPN+ with the main card moving to pay-per-view at about 10 p.m.
Daily fantasy players also have some massive contests available, starting with the UFC 263 Special at DraftKings, which has an entry fee of $25, a prize pool of $750k and a first-place prize of $200k.
So UFC 263 has action just about everywhere you look. There are co-main events built around intriguing rematches. Nate Diaz returns. And DraftKings has added a big promotion for new users as well.
It all starts soon in Gila River Arena, a place that has hosted some of these same fighters before.
But every match has its own story.
And maybe the sequel will be even better.
Lead image credit: AP Photo/Andy Brownbill
