UFC 305 Parlay with a Punch 8/17: Bet Erceg, Nicoll
- Hometown favorite Steve Erceg returns after a close championship bout loss to Alexandre Pantoja, but does Kai Kara-France have the skills to cause an upset in the co-main event?
- Elsewhere on the card, UFC debutant Stewart Nicoll looks to make a statement versus a tough Mexican fighter. Bet or trap?
- Find the best parlay betting odds for UFC 305 at BetUS sportsbook.
One more sleep and UFC 305 live from Perth, Australia, kicks off at the RAC Arena, from a main event middleweight title bout involving Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis, as well as a long list of Oceania talent and traveling outsiders who’ll be looking to make a statement in front of the masses.
The introductions are over; let’s cut the crap and dive straight into why you’re here… UFC parlay picks. I’ve found two moneyline wagers that make a perfect parlay couple, and fortunately for you, I’ve shared them below, completely free of charge!
#UFC305 WEEK IS FINALLY HERE 🔥👀
Saturday, 10 ET | ESPN+ PPV 🍿 pic.twitter.com/c1wYSQcs4O
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 11, 2024
UFC 305 Event Information
- Date & Time: Saturday, August. 17, 2024 – 06:30 p.m. ET
- Location: RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
- How to Watch: UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+
- Scheduled Fights: 12
- Main Event Bout: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya
- Co-Main Event Bout: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg
Steve Erceg vs Kai Kara-France: Stylistic Nightmare
Did Steve Carell and Scarface have a baby? No? Well, I’d still opt for a DNA test if I were UFC flyweight Steve Erceg.
Deoxyribonucleic acid aside, in just four UFC appearances to date, the Aussie lad has won the respect of MMA enthusiasts and critics. Erceg stormed right into the top-15 rankings behind three straight, domineering wins. Although many questioned the title opportunity he received as a non-top-five fighter, he put on a hell of a performance. He was one round shy of dethroning the 125-pound king, Alexandre Pantoja.
STEVE ERCEG FIGHT WEEK ‼️🌧 pic.twitter.com/vTojVAfkZX
— 🌧🌧🌧🌧 (@RainManMMA) August 12, 2024
Erceg’s octagon return on Saturday will take him to Perth, Australia. The Wilkes MMA product is back home amongst his countrymen and he boasts a super versatile skill set that makes him a stylistic nightmare for any of the flyweight division hopefuls. And honestly, a -160 moneyline price tag in BetUS sportsbook odds might be the last generous pricing you receive should he deliver a statement performance.
Bet the Erceg Moneyline
Kai Kara-France is also a well-skilled martial artist with noteworthy tools in all facets. As a City Kickboxing standout with knockout potential, he is most respected for his striking offensive. Yes, he took a decent wrestler in Amir Albazi to the mat last time out, but ground control and jiu-jitsu aren’t exactly a part of Kai’s wheelhouse.
The problem for “Don’t Blink” this weekend is size because Erceg is one of the largest flyweights in the UFC. He won’t be able to hold Erceg down, and a beautiful lengthy jab alongside a varied striking offense makes the favorite a potential struggle for Kai on the feet.
Kara-France hasn’t faced the wrestling potential Erceg presents, nor has he fared well versus long opponents (e.g. Brandon Royval). This isn’t so much a fade on what Kara-France can’t do but how many different looks Erceg brings to the table.
The MMA betting odds aren’t showing crazy prices on the moneyline, so we can back Erceg straight up without the annoyance of too much juice because, ultimately, he has the skills and the size.
Erceg Moneyline Supporting Trends:
- Erceg has lost one MMA bout in six years
- Erceg’s lone UFC loss is to the current flyweight champion
- Kara-France has lost 50% of his previous 6 UFC bouts
Steve Erceg has so much aura 😭 pic.twitter.com/vbntrjzZjC
— Elon Rakhmonov 🇦🇺 (@ElonRakhmonov) August 13, 2024
Stewart Nicoll vs Jesus Aguilar: UFC Debutant Alarm Bells?
It’s a story as old as time: A regional scene fighter is preparing to make his UFC debut on home soil, and the oddsmakers label him with a wild moneyline price. It’s a wagering position that presents much caution. Still, oppositely, some of the promotion’s top superstars were once in the same position, and not every newcomer is liable to shi**ing the bed.
Stewart Nicoll has one leg trapped and uses his head to post and set-up an elbow. pic.twitter.com/a9z3TUqPxo
— Feño 🏴 (@fenoxsky) August 11, 2024
In steps Stewart Nicoll. The Australian native punched – literally by punching – his ticket to the UFC and makes his flyweight debut this weekend. With eight fights, four consecutive wins by knockout and three previous submission wins for good measure, he’s the type of prospect you want to succeed, and while Jesus Aguilar is no slouch, it’s a very winnable fight for the Queensland representative.
Bet the Newcomer and Watch a Prospect Shine
Finding viable reasons to back underdogs at UFC 305 has been no easy task, but when I saw a newcomer in Nicoll at this current price, I was rubbing my hands together. That was until I began watching Aguilar’s past performances.
The Mexican is tough, but try and name me a Mexican that isn’t, right? Outside of this, he’s heavily relied on grappling and, predominantly, a guillotine choke throughout his career. The overhand knockout of Shannon Ross is the exception, but ultimately, he doesn’t throw enough volume to present himself as a serious striking threat.
Nicoll has fought respectable competition on the regional scene and still dominates. He’s entirely capable of winning by KO/TKO or submission, and when judging who’s the most well-rounded fighter of the two, he ticks all the boxes.
Athleticism, speed, durability, a high striking output, aggression and heavy pressure all favor the Aussie. He has hands, but his wrestling and grappling prowess would be more impressive. Nicoll is a man possessed when looking for the takedown, and smaller, less threatening foes have exposed Aguilar’s takedown defense.
Sure, the UFC betting lines are slightly juiced for a debutant, but I greatly like this spot. I wouldn’t say I like Aguilar’s footwork, defensive attributes and limited offense. Once the guillotine isn’t available, he won’t have enough to match the diversity of Nicoll, who I expect to be the more talented fighter in every area of the fight game.
Nicoll Moneyline Supporting Trends
- Nicoll is undefeated (8-0-0) with 7 wins by KO/TKO or submission
- Nicoll has won 4 consecutive bouts via knockout
- Aguilar’s two career losses were round-one submissions
🚨Added to #UFC305🚨
The undefeated Stewart Nicoll fighting out of Queensland will make his UFC debut in Perth! pic.twitter.com/HaXWGVeqYo
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) July 23, 2024
UFC 305 2-Leg Parlay [+]
- Steve Erceg Moneyline [-160]
- Stewart Nicoll Moneyline [-235]
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets
Take A Look At These Other 2 UFC Special Articles
- UFC 305 Perfect Prop Predictions: Two Totals to Help You Cash Down Under
- Kara-France vs Erceg Best Bets for UFC 305 8/17/24
Questions Of The Day
Where can I find the best UFC 305 parlay odds?
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