UFC Vegas 98 Best Bets

Val Dewar

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Chidi Njokuani

Brandon Royval vs Tatsuro Taira

As I discussed in my preview article for this fight, Taira represents just about the hardest style matchup in the division for Royval outside of the champion, Alexande Pantoja. With Royval having spent 15 minutes on his back against Pantoja, I expect a similar outcome against Tatsuro Taira, if he does not get finished before the final bell.

As a result, I am taking Taira’s point spread (yes point spreads exist in MMA). This bet covers both eventualities, a finish for the Japanese phenom or a dominant decision win (the points in the spread refer to the total of all the scorecards added up). On BetOnline there is also a bet for Taira to have the most significant strikes and takedowns, as well as win inside the distance at +350, that is a fine bet for someone looking for something a bit spicier

Tatsuro Taira -5.5 point spread @ -175 odds

“The Iron Turtle” Jun Yong Park vs Brad Tavares

Park is almost a two-to-one favorite in this one, which is a bit steep for me for a best bet, though I might play the moneyline also. My best bets here have to do with takedowns and significant strikes. Park most TDs, most sig strikes, and win by decision together is +300 on BetOnline.

Additionally, Park over 0.5 takedowns at -105 is a good bet – Tavares has a career 81% takedown defense, but at age 36 is faltering (as discussed in my preview article) and was taken down twice by Gregory Rodrigues in his last bout. I also expect ‘The Iron Turtle’ and his non-stop volume to land more total significant strikes straight up, but the odds for that are -150.

Jun Yong Park over 0.5 takedowns @ -105 odds

 

Chidi Njokuani vs Jared Gooden

Chidi ‘Bang Bang’ Njokuani recently lost three bouts in a row but bounced back with a violent beatdown of Rhys McKee in Atlantic City. Since rejoining the UFC, Jared Gooden is 1-1, bringing his UFC record to 2-4 overall. Both athletes are highly flawed, but Njokuani is the one who possesses a true X-Factor attribute in his power.

Chidi’s cardio has failed and caused him to lose before, but he has won by first round knockout so often that betting that eventuality in this fight at +400 is a good pick. Those unwilling to take such a risk may feel comfortable taking his knockout line straight up at +160, or just Njokuani’s moneyline at -160, all of which are good bets.

Njokuani to win by first round KO/TKO @ +400 odds

Rest of Main Card

Rafa Garcia to win by decision +650: Grant Dawson is a rightful favorite in this one but should not be this steep of one. Rafa Garcia has only one knockout in his career, so I do not see him repeating how King Green beat Dawson this time last year.

Daniel Rodriguez to land most significant strikes & win by decision @ +200 odds: ‘D-Rod’ has lost three bouts in a row, but each one was to a ranked or former ranked opponent. Morono is a similar archetype of point striker to Rodriguez but is older and much slower. His veteran savvy will not save him from being outstruck in this one, as he was recently against Niko Price

Val Dewar

Val Dewar Photo

Val was initiated into Steelers Nation from the moment he was born — his first memory is a game vs. New England from when "Slash" was QB — and doing sports writing has always been a dream career for him. In 2022 he broke into the industry by writing about combat sports for Cageside Press, and now has the opportunity to continue that work with TSN as an MMA writer, as well as get his feet wet on the Steelers beat.