UFC 299
UFC: Saturday, March 9th at 10:00 PM ET
Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: PPV / ESPN+ Stream unmatched UFC coverage on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
UFC 299 is here, and this is a card that has all kinds of intrigue. The prelims for this fight are better than a couple of fight night main cards that have happened so far this season. Let’s take a look at a free play for each of the main card fights at UFC 299.
Sean O’Malley vs Marlon Vera
O’Malley -258 / Vera +210 // Total Rounds: Over 4.5 -166
Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera face off for the bantamweight title on Saturday night in a very intriguing fight. These two fighters faced off in August of 2020 and it was Vera who was able to win the fight by knockout late in the first round. These are two talented fighters, and this fight is all going to come down to how O’Malley decides to fight. If he tries to fight in his normal exciting style, he’s going to struggle. Vera wants to get this into the brawl, and if O’Malley allows that to happen, he’s going to get knocked out. I do think O’Malley is going to try and put on a show here, and Vera is going to take advantage. Vera is going to win this second fight against O’Malley. Back Vera on the money line.
Dustin Poirier vs Benoit Saint-Denis
Poirier +170 / Saint-Denis -205 // Total Rounds: Over 1.5 -215
This might be the most exciting fight on the card, and that is saying a lot with how many high-level fights are in UFC 299. Poirier is still a solid fighter, and he’s going to show well early in this fight, but as the fight goes on, he’s going to be exposed. Poirier is going to be on the back foot in this fight, and Saint-Denis has the knockout power. Saint-Denis is going to wear down Poirier, something that can be tough, but he’s going to do it here. Back Saint-Denis to win by finish.
Kevin Holland vs Michael Page
Holland -135 / Page +114 // Total Rounds: Over 2.5 -190
Kevin Holland is one of the biggest fan favorites in the UFC, and now he fights against Michael Page who is making his UFC debut after finding success in the Bellator. Page is going to find success in this fight, as he’s going to keep this fight on his feet. Holland hasn’t been exactly dominant heading into this fight, and he’s going to struggle with the unorthodox style. This is no doubt a big step up in competition for Page, but he’s going to rise to the occasion. Back Page on the money line.
Gilbert Burns vs Jack Della Maddalena
Della Maddalena -166 / Burns +140
Jack Della Maddalena and Gilbert Burns face off in a welterweight showdown and this is a going to be an exciting fight. If Della Maddalena wins this fight, he’s going to only need a win or two more to get a title fight, but I think Burns is going to stop him in his track. Burns took too many shots in his last fight, but he’s going to be more cautious in this fight. His striking is going to be on point early, and that is going to be the difference as Burns is going to get the job done. Back Burns on the money line.
Petr Yan vs Song Yadong
Yan -115 / Yadong -105 // Total Rounds: Over 2.5 -280
Petr Yan and Song Yadong both need wins in this fight for different reasons. Song really only needs a couple of more wins and he could be competing for a title while Yan has lost three straight, and he could be out of the UFC if he continues to lose. Yan can’t have a whole lot of confidence heading into this fight, and he’s going to fall into Song’s trap. Song is going to find a way to grapple in this fight, and he’s going to grind his way to victory. Back Song on the money line.
Shane’s Pick Marlon Vera ML +210
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
