Khabib Nurmagomedov gets back into the Octagon on Saturday in a battle with tough Dustin Poirier at the UFC 242 main event. Khabib hasn’t fought since Oct. 6, 2018 when he beat Conor McGregor. Can Nurmagomedov dominate Poirier? Or, will Poirier take down Khabib at The Arena on Yas Island? Check out UFC 242 odds, analysis, and a free pick for Khabib-Poirier as well as free picks for the other 4 fights on the UFC main card!
UFC 242 Odds, Khabib vs Poirier Betting Preview and Picks
- When: Saturday, Sep. 7 at 11:00am PDT
- Where: The Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- TV: ESPN+ Pay-Per-View
- Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass
Mairbek Taisumov vs Diego Ferreira
- UFC 242 Odds: Mairbek Taisumov -265 / Diego Ferreira +205
Taisumov brings more experience into the battle with Diego Ferreira on the UFC 242 Main Card’s first fight. Maribek Taisumov is 27-5. He’s got a fantastic 73” reach. Not only that, but like many fighters learned in the Russian style of MMA, he can both fight effectively on the mat and in the standup. Diego Ferreira is a good fighter, but he shouldn’t beat Taisumov on Saturday.
UFC Betting Pick: Diego Taisumov
Curtis Blaydes vs Shamil Abdurakhimov
- UFC 242 Odds: Curtis Blaydes -485 / Shamil Abdurakhimov +360
Most expect 11-2-0 Curtis Blaydes to dominate 20-4 Shamil Abdurakhimov. Although Abdurakhimov has the much better ground game, it’s hard to go against the consensus here. 80% of Blaydes’ victories have come via knockout or technical knockout. One of the reasons for his effectiveness is the long 80” reach. That’s 6-inches on Abdurakhimov. Blaydes can effectively punch and kick from distance. If Shamil can’t get the fight to the mat, Curtis will eventually catch him with a devastating blow. That’s exactly what should happen.
UFC Betting Pick: Curtis Blaydes
Islam Makhachev vs Davi Ramos
- UFC 242 Odds: Islam Makhachev -340 / Davi Ramos +265
Makhachev is 17-1 while Ramos is 10-2. The Brazilian Ramos has decent jiu-jitsu skills. Unfortunately, Makhachev can fight effectively on the ground. When the fight is off the mat, Makhachev will land less strikes per minute, but his strikes are more significant. In almost every MMA category, Islam Makhachev has the edge over Davi Ramos. He wins.
UFC Betting Pick: Islam Makhachev
Edson Barbosa vs Paul Felder
- UFC 242 Odds: Edson Barbosa -150 / Paul Felder +120
Fan favorite Edson Barbosa enters the Octagon to do battle against Paul Felder on Saturday. Barbosa has a 20-7 record. Felder’s record is 16-4. Although Edson has a 4.5-inch reach advantage, he battles Felder after a Round 1 knockout loss to Justin Gaethje. That could open the door for Felder to win this via knockout or decision. Felder has a shot to upset Barbosa at UFC 242.
UFC Betting Pick: Paul Felder
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Dustin Poirier
- UFC 242 Odds: Khabib Nurmagomedov -440 / Dustin Poirier +315
1-ranked Dustin Poirier most definitely deserves this title shot. Poirier, 25-5, upset Max Holloway in the Fight of the Night at UFC 236 back in April. Holloway is the featherweight champ. This fight will be at the lightweight level. That means Poirier fights a much bigger man than Holloway on Sep. 7.
There’s a reason Nurmagomedov is 27-0. He can fight any style. He’s won 31% of his fights via knockout or technical knockout. He’s won 31% of his fights via submission. He’s won 38% of his fights via decision. Nurmagomedov can adjust to whatever Poirier tries to accomplish in this bout. Although Dustin is tough, he faces, arguably, the top pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world on Saturday. Khabib wins.
UFC Betting Pick: Khabib Nurmagomedov
