UFC Vegas 98 Rock-Solid 2 Top Prop Picks on Saturday, October 12
- The Rock’s favorite fighter, Themba Gorimbo, looks for his fourth straight octagon win, but can he get past a veteran in Niko Price?
- Two tough middleweights in Jun Yong Park and Brad Tavares feature in the UFC Vegas 98 co-main event, and we feel one of these two will win by decision.
- Find our favorite prop picks below, but more importantly, find the best early lines for Price vs Gorimbo at BetUS Sportsbook
Another week of octagon action awaits, but let’s keep it real: Fight night festivities don’t hit right without some proposition wagers to boost the bankroll. You know I’m right!
Don’t worry, though; I’m back again to share my expert MMA opinion on this weekend’s UFC Vegas 98 fight card, headlined by flyweight savages Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira.
Continue reading to discover the perfect prop predictions for Saturday’s UFC card, including the latest UFC odds.
The Octagon never rests 😤@BrandonRoyval vs @TatsuroTaira fight week is HERE!
[ #UFCVegas98 | Live on @ESPNPlus | 7pmET/4pmPT ] pic.twitter.com/zB0zljtJEt— UFC (@ufc) October 7, 2024
UFC Vegas 98 Information
- Date & Time: Saturday, Oct. 12, 04:00 p.m. ET
- Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas
- UFC Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+
- Main Event Bout: Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira
- Co-Main Event Bout: Brad Tavares vs. Jun Yong Park
- Scheduled Fights: 13
- Biggest UFC Vegas 98 Betting Favorite: Grant Dawson -400
- Biggest UFC Vegas 98 Betting Underdog: Rafa Garcia +300
Niko Price vs Themba Gorimbo Betting Odds
Top 2 Prop Picks for Vegas 98
1. Price vs Gorimbo: If Ya Smellllll What Gorimbo Is Cooking!
Themba “The Answer” Gorimbo was 8,000 miles from his home in Zimbabwe, a nomad battling to survive in a foreign country, $7 to his name and a dream involving UFC aspirations. However, his fortunes would soon change when a 6-foot-5 Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson read his story, surprised him in person and purchased a house for the newly signed UFC fighter, thus alleviating his troubles.
Now, 3-1 as a UFC welterweight, the company has naturally run with Gorimbo’s inspirational storyline and turn of fortune. From a diamond smuggler in Africastruggling to make ends meet but holding onto a dream to a UFC competitor who received a house from the Rock, what’s not to love?
This weekend, Gorimbo looks for his fourth straight win in the octagon, and you can’t help but think the UFC is assisting him with this. With all the respect in the world for Niko Price, he’s a 35-year-old veteran who’s been through the wars and is no longer the same fighter he used to be.
Do you smell what Gorimbo is cooking?
I do, and it stinks of a brutal stoppage win over Price this Saturday evening for UFC predictions.
The Rock bought UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo a house pic.twitter.com/97zRztdOwS
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) August 3, 2023
Younger, Faster, Stronger… Bet!
Price is a relentless striker. He will leave it all in the octagonandhas fought some of the best talents at welterweight. However, the reality isthatPrice has only secured wins over aging fighters and ex-UFC stars since 2019. He’s winless in five5 of his previous seven appearances, and when it comes to durability, he’s completely shot!
Gorimbo has displayed his grappling prowess more often than not, but he’s got some sneaky power in those hands, as we witnessed when he flatlined Pete Rodriguez with an overhand right. With Price’s questionable chin, it’ll be the perfect opportunity for Gorimboto display his power again, and with two pressure fighters going face-to-face, expect violence!
In the expectancy of violence, there’s only one path to take on the UFC betting lines, and that’s to back Gorimbo to finish this bout. “The Answer”’ has collected eight stoppage wins during his short career but, more imperatively, for his chance of winning inside the distance, six of Price’s seven losses in the UFC came by KO/TKO or submission.
Bet On Gorimbo by KO/TKO or Submission [+115]
Price vs. Gorimbo Betting Trends:
- 6 of Price’s 7 UFC losses came by knockout or submission
- Price’s two most recent UFC defeats were by KO/TKO
- Price has gone the distance in just 3 of his 15 UFC bouts
🇿🇼 Themba Gorimbo will face will face Niko Price in the undercard at #UFCVegas98 🥊
📺 Catch it live on Saturday, 12 October 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gXvU1BJidi
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 10, 2024
2. Jun Yong Park vs. Brad Tavares: ‘Old Iron Ninja Turtle’
He isn’t no “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle,” but I can see Jun Yong Park representing the “Old Iron Ninja Turtles,” and honestly, at 33, he isn’t even that old. Funnily, nicknamed the “Iron Turtle,” he isn’t that slow, either. With a piercing jab and relentless pressure, Park has collected a 7-3 record in the UFC, including wins in four of his five most recent appearances.
We can argue that Brad Tavares has fought highcompetition during his UFC tenure, and that’s undeniably true. Losses to Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis hold no shame, but he isn’t winning fights at any level of late because he continuously fails to put his foot on the gas. Aged 36, I don’t believe we’ll see any new looks from Tavares in the cage, and with that, we know precisely who can and cannot defeat him when making our UFC picks.
🚨FUN FACT🚨
Brad Tavares has fought in 24 Fights In the UFC and 17 Fights have gone the distance
Tavares vs Jun Yong Park is -230 for the betting odds to go the distance as well per Fight Odds Website 💰 pic.twitter.com/fpHmgZiP05
— Kevin (@realkevink) October 8, 2024
Pressure and Pace for the Win
Tavares holds the edge in striking, but how far has that got him recently? Since 2022, he has had one victory, which was against the ghost of Chris Weidman. Furthermore, while he prefers to strike, his chin has started to fade as both Bruno Silva and Gregory Rodrigues have finished him via strikes of late. That said, one of the most noteworthy aspects of Tavares’ game would be his takedown defense, and this would naturally be Park’s greatest path to victory.
Park’s cardio, pace and boxing fundamentals, like his jab and low kicks, are very underrated. Even ifhe cannot find the takedown, he can use cage pushing and takedown attempts to tire Tavares and keep it relatively close in striking situations. For me, Tavares just doesn’t do enough; he’s too relaxed in the cage and struggles to pursue success via point-scoring.
This is a huge concern versus a workhorse like the “Iron Turtle,” who will be constantly in his face from the opening bell to the last.
Park is the odds favorite in online betting, but we can find a greater price by backing him to win this bout on the scorecards. Fighting behind the jab on the feet won’t assist him in finding the knockout, and Tavares’ takedown defense might force this one onto the cage, where the clock will drain, and finishing opportunities will be limited.
Bet on Park by Decision [+140]
UFC Betting Fans: Bet $200 & Get a $450 Bonus on your first time deposit!
Park vs. Tavares Betting Trends:
- Tavares has lost 3 of his previous 4 UFC bouts
- Park has won 4 of his last 5 UFC bouts
- Tavares has won 3 fights between 2018-2024
- 17 of Tavares’ 24 UFC bouts have gone the distance
The Iron Turtle always has that 𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗧 in him! 🐢
🇰🇷’s Jun Yong Park is set for the #UFCVegas98 co-main this Sunday! pic.twitter.com/8Hqm979krL
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) October 8, 2024
Our Favorite UFC Vegas 98 Proposition Wagers
- Themba Gorimbo by KO/TKO or Submission [+115]
- Jun Yong Park by Decision [+140]
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 Betting Picks Special Articles
- UFC Vegas 98 Parlay Picks: 2 Moneyline Bets for 10/12.
- UFC Vegas 98 Predictions: Best Picks for Brandon Royval vs Tatsuro Taira.
Questions Of The Day
Who’s the biggest-priced underdog at UFC Fight Night this weekend?
Faced with the emphatic wrestling skills of Grant Dawson, the biggest underdog at UFC Vegas 98 is Rafa Garcia, who’s currently priced at +300.