There are two types of spectacles we love to see as UFC fans: a back-and-forth war that lasts or a first-round finish. May the MMA gods bless us as UFC 274 is packing plenty of the latter as we take a shot at four fights to end in the first round. Per the UFC odds, all of these props should pay like a postfight bonus.
Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and UFC odds for UFC 274. We’ve plenty of UFC 275 odds for you to consider.
- Date: Saturday, May 7, 6:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Footprint Center
- UFC 274 Streaming: UFC Fight Pass
3 of the all-time bonus leaders are in action at #UFC274!
🏆 @CharlesDoBronxs – 18
[ #UFC274 | Saturday | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXTfJoR ] pic.twitter.com/XmBs6EwY63
🤠 @CowboyCerrone – 18
💥 @JoeLauzon – 15— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2022
UFC Fight Night Props
Ivanov Taps “Pezao” In Short Order
The UFC betting line here is out of whack and we’re here to profit off of it as Blagoy Ivanov makes quick work of Marcos Rogerio De Lima a.k.a. “Pezao”. Ivanov (18-4-0) is coming off two losses but Pezao (19-7-1) is a step down in competition. This fight is more than likely to end with Ivanov taking the Brazilian down and submitting him.
While Ivanov has not finished anyone in the UFC, a third of his professional wins have come via submission and all five of Pezao’s UFC losses have come via submission. The big man tends to panic when taken down and Ivanov has the grappling chops to make him. Alternatively, a bet on Ivanov to simply finish Pezao is +200 and may still be the best UFC bet.
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- Pick: B Ivanov in Round 1 By Submission +1000
Take a Look at the Other 2 Picks For UFC 274 Fight Card
“J Lau” Sends Cowboy Packing In a Hurry
A battle of UFC legends pits two of the promotion’s most exciting fighters. Joe Lauzon and Donald Cerrone have combined for 29 finishes in the UFC along with 33 post-fight bonuses, however, they couldn’t be more different in how they approach the fight.
Lauzon (28-15-0) starts hot and has eight first-round finishes in the UFC. He hits hard and can put Cerrone (36-16-0, 2 NC) away quickly. Cerrone gets stronger as the fight goes but absorbs a ton of damage before that happens. He isn’t as durable anymore. With four T/KO losses in his six-fight winless streak, “J Lau” will make it a fifth.
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- Pick: J Lauzon in Round 1 By KO, TKO or DQ +600
Chandler Sends Ferguson to The Shadow Realm
Tony Ferguson finds himself in a similar spot as Cerrone, the last fighter he beat. Facing a three-fight losing streak, Ferguson’s (25-6-0) time as a top-tier fighter has slowly and brutally ended. And against Michael Chandler, he could be in for another knockout loss.
While Ferguson is usually durable, he has absorbed a ton of damage over his UFC run. He ate 143 significant strikes from Justin Gaethje. Consider his chin all but ruined and against a power puncher like Chandler (22-7-0), that is bad news. Bet on UFC on “Iron” Mike to knock Ferguson out within five minutes.
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- Pick: M Chandler in Round 1 By KO, TKO or DQ +250
Oliveira Makes Gaethje Quit Quickly
We give Justin Gaethje a lot of props for having the gall to call Charles Oliveira, the UFC lightweight champion, a “coward”. Gaethje (23-3-0) enters the contest as an underdog and has the one-punch knockout power to abruptly put Oliveira (32-8-0, 1 NC) down. He could just do that. But we like for Oliveira to turn the tables on him and make him tap.
Oliveira has seven first-round finishes in the UFC with six coming by way of submission. Gaethje showed against Khabib Nurmagomedov that he is a white belt when it comes to grappling. The Brazilian should make Gaethje eat his words the moment he gets his hands on him likely after Gaethje throws one of his infamous leg kicks.
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- Pick: C Oliveira In Round 1 By Submission +525
