Mixed martial arts isn't short on superstars — and not just in the UFC either. With the superstar power comes potential dream matches, which are available for betting right now at major online sportsbooks. For fun, we've made our betting predictions on these UFC/MMA dream fights. If they end up happening, here's how we'd bet them.
Oh, and to preface, while these dream fight bets are currently available for wagering, they are mostly contingent on the fights happening this year. So you can wager on them now and if the fights fail to happen before December 31, 2022, you'll receive a refund from bookies. With that important qualifier out of the way, let's get started on these dream bouts:
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler Betting Pick
McGregor has won just one fight in the past five years, but that's done nothing to diminish his star power. He's still the sport's biggest cash prize and cause of that, he's been called out by active fighters — including Chandler, who used his post-fight win interview against Tony Ferguson to challenge McGregor. If that fight happens, top UFC betting sites are giving Chandler a minor betting edge over McGregor:
| Fighter |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Conor McGregor | +145 | +145 |
| Michael Chandler | -175 | -175 |
Whether this fight happens or not, is entirely on McGregor. He'll have his pick at opponents, and recently, has brought up fights against Nate Diaz and Kamaru Usman. But the Chandler one feels most likely. Diaz is trying to force his way out of a UFC contract and Usman, well, McGregor is the only person in the world who thinks he'd stand a chance. However, McGregor isn't exactly healthy after suffering a broken leg in his last octagon appearance one year ago.
But we'll say this: McGregor isn't worth a bet against anyone right now, sans maybe Tony Ferguson. Most casual bettors and sports fans remember the McGregor of old — the fearless trash-talker who could one-hit KO someone within seconds. If you fall into this category, we hate to break it to you but that McGregor is dead, gone, and never coming back. He's hundreds of million dollars richer now. He's older. And his skills have diminished due to long periods of inactivity.
If Chandler and McGregor throw down, then we'd suggest betting the farm on Chandler. Yes, he's older than McGregor, but his skills have yet to fall off unlike Conor's. It'll take a few more losses for McGregor for his larger-than-life persona to wear off, which creates an easy betting opportunity whether he fights Chandler next or any other top-ranked UFC foe.
Kayla Harrison vs. Cris Cyborg Betting Pick
This is perhaps the biggest fight that can be made in all of MMA outside of the UFC. It would be a legacy-defining bout between two of the greatest women fighters to ever do it. Judo two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayle Harrison is 13-0 in her MMA career, while Cyborg is 26-2 and currently possesses the Bellator women’s featherweight title. As it stands, Cyborg is a comfortable betting favorite over Harrison at top sportsbooks:
| Fighter | | |
|---|---|---|
| Kayla Harrison | +165 | +165 |
| Cris Cyborg | -210 | -210 |
Both have expressed interest in a fight, but their contracts don't make it easy. Cyborg, as we said, fights in Bellator, while Harrison is in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The organizations have discussed a cross-promotion bout, but it feels unlikely (too many egos involved). Though, Cyborg will soon become a free agent, but the issue is PFL isn't exactly deep with talent, which makes it an unlikely destination for the soon-to-be 37-year-old.
PFL's depth is the big knock on Harrison. Yes, she's blowing away her current competition, but it's miles behind what's in Bellator and UFC — two promotions that Cyborg has largely dominated in (besides one knockout defeat to Amanda Nunes). Harrison is too unproven to draw a bet from us here, which would make Cyborg the no-brainer betting choice.
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno
Here's a fight that's almost guaranteed to happen — maybe not in 2022, but definitely by end of 2023. The flyweights have fought three teams and split the outcomes: one draw (UFC 256), one Moreno victory (UFC 263), and one Figueiredo win (UFC 270). Each's legacy needs one final battle to determine who's really the better fighter. Given the previous outcomes, it's zero surprise that the moneyline odds are tied between Figueiredo and Moreno:
| Fighter | | |
|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | -110 | -110 |
| Brandon Moreno | -110 | -110 |
Figueiredo is currently treating injuries, which has created an interim flyweight title situation for Moreno against Kai Kara-France at UFC 277. The decision angered Figueiredo, who threatened to leave the weight class entirely. Blood is boiling between both with Figueiredo calling Moreno racist. Moreno countered by saying Figueiredo is dodging him. Who knows what's what, but it's just creating intrigue for one more bout between both.
If anything, the inactivity might hurt Figueiredo if a fourth fight happens. Moreno has a tough battle against Kara-France and if comes out of it the winner, his skills and confidence can only be better. We're picking Moreno to win the final battle whenever it goes down.
How To Bet On UFC Fights?
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