In the UFC 299 odds, the heaviest favorite on the main card is Song Yadong in the opening bout against Petr Yan. The fight with the highest over/under for total rounds is Sean O Malley vs Marlon Vera (4.5).
Fans can watch the main card pay-per-view on ESPN+. The prelims will air on ESPN News and ESPN+, while the early prelims are exclusive to ESPN+.
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All odds as of March 7th, 2024 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet on UFC 299 with the . North Carolina sports betting launches March 11th, meaning NC sports bettors can pre-register at for a unique offer.
Sean O Malley (c) vs. Marlon Vera 2
The main event is a highly anticipated rematch three and a half years in the making. Sean O Malley (17-1, 1 NC) captured the bantamweight title in his last fight with a spectacular knockout of Aljamain Sterling. The only blemish on O Malley s record remains a TKO loss to Marlon Vera back in August 2020, when Vera capitalized on an ankle injury O Malley suffered during the fight.
Since that loss, O Malley has gone unbeaten in six straight, including five finishes. Known for his creative striking and colorful personality, Suga Sean has become one of the UFC s biggest stars. He now looks to avenge his sole defeat and solidify his status as the bantamweight king.
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Sean O Malley (@SugaSeanMMA)
Marlon Vera (23-8-1) earned this title shot by winning five of his last six fights. The hard-hitting Ecuadorian holds notable wins over Dominick Cruz, Frankie Edgar, and Rob Font. Vera s only loss in his recent run came in a close split decision to José Aldo.
At age 30, Vera is in his fighting prime and hungry to capture UFC gold for the first time. His aggressive muay thai striking and slick submission skills make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. Vera is currently a -105 underdog, while O Malley is a -125 favorite.
O Malley vs Marlon Vera 2 Prediction:
While Vera already holds a win over O Malley, a lot has changed for both fighters since their first encounter. O Malley has shown marked improvements in his striking defense and overall game.
If he can avoid being drawn into a brawl and pick his shots, his precise and varied striking attack should be enough to outpoint Vera over five rounds. O Malley retains his title by unanimous decision.
Pick: O Malley by Decision (+100 at )
Dustin Poirier vs Benoit Saint-Denis
The co-main event pits former interim lightweight champ Dustin Poirier (29-8) against surging French prospect Benoit Saint-Denis (13-1). Poirier is looking to rebound after suffering a brutal head kick KO loss to Justin Gaethje in his last outing. Prior to that, The Diamond had won four of his previous five, with his only loss coming in a title fight against Charles Oliveira.
At age 34, Poirier remains one of the best lightweights in the world. He has a wealth of experience against elite competition. Poirier s crisp boxing and underrated grappling make him a handful for anyone in the division. However, there are questions about how much the Gaethje KO loss may have taken out of him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FraZ9HgFIV8
Benoit Saint-Denis has been on a tear since dropping his short-notice UFC debut in 2021. The 27-year-old has won five straight fights, all by finish. Most recently, he scored a highlight-reel head kick KO of Matt Frevola at UFC 295.
Saint-Denis is a well-rounded fighter with solid striking and a dangerous submission game. He pushes a relentless pace and thrives in chaos. While he s taking a big step up in competition here, Saint-Denis has the skills to give Poirier problems everywhere.
Currently, Saint-Denis is a -170 favorite while Poirier is a +130 underdog. The over/under is set at 1.5 rounds, with the over at -240 and the under at +190.
Poirier vs Saint-Denis Prediction:
This has the makings of a fight of the night candidate. Poirier s experience and technical boxing give him a clear edge on the feet. However, Saint-Denis grappling could be a major x-factor. Look for the Frenchman to mix in takedowns and keep the pressure on Poirier.
If Saint-Denis can avoid Poirier s power early and drag him into deep waters, the upset is there for the taking. Saint-Denis weathers an early storm and takes over down the stretch to win a hard-fought unanimous decision. Take Saint-Denis at -170 and the over 1.5 rounds at -245.
Picks:
Saint-Denis ML (-170)
Over 1.5 Rounds (-245)
