UFC 256 Betting Predictions

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for UFC 256 on December 12, 2020. The event – the last numbered event of the year – sees Deiveson Figueiredo headline back-to-back UFC pay-per-views as he looks to defend his title for the second time in three weeks. Find our UFC 256 betting predictions below.

Main Event Predictions – Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno

To Win the Fight			To Win the Fight
Deiveson Figueiredo	1.27	3.60	Brandon Moreno

Twenty-one days. The main event at UFC 256 represents the quickest turnaround and title defence in the history of the UFC. Here we are in 2020, witnessing history and – in a rare positive moment – enjoying it. Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno both return to the octagon after fighting – in different bouts – at UFC 255 just three weeks earlier.

Both fighters are coming off of first-round victories in their last fights – with Figueiredo submitting Alex Perez to defend the UFC Flyweight Championship and Moreno beating Brandon Royval by TKO. Figueiredo is the more talented and experienced fighter and our pick to win the fight.

Both men enter the fight winning their last five fights, but Figueiredo – who is the eleventh-ranked pound-per-pound fighter – has looked more dominant in those wins. Figueiredo has quite the power for a flyweight fighter, winning nine of his 20 fights by KO/TKO.

He also has a strong ground defence – which he will need against Brandon Moreno. Moreno is an apt fighter when he can get control, but he will have a difficult time getting Figueiredo into positions where he can apply submissions. Overall, we like Figueiredo a lot in this fight, and he is the safest bet to win his fight at UFC 256.

Pick: Deiveson Figueiredo (1.27) to Retain the UFC Lightweight Championship

Bonus Betting Tip for the Main Event

The juice could be better on Figueiredo – and he may be worth parlaying with another fighter in our other UFC betting picks. You can also keep your eyes out for UFC props bets – which on average open closer to the date of the event – and consider betting on the method of victory. Despite Figueiredo's success at knocking out opponents, fights in this weight class often go to decision. If the juice on the line is higher than betting knockout, bet on Figueiredo to win by decision.

Co-Main Event Predictions – Tony Ferguson vs. Charles Oliveira

To Win the Fight			To Win the Fight
Tony Ferguson	2.40	1.54	Charles Oliveira

Two of the top-ranked lightweights look to gain some ground and a chance at a title fight – for the vacant lightweight championship after Khabib's retirement – in the penultimate fight at UFC 256. Tony Ferguson, who sits ahead of Charles Oliveira in the UFC Lightweight rankings, comes in as the underdog, but our pick to win the fight.

Ferguson – a former UFC Lightweight Champion – is a talented and well-rounded fighter. His strikes are capable of knocking out an opponent, and his defence is strong and smart enough to avoid the same happening to him.

Charles Oliveira is a formidable opponent for any fighter, but he is at a few disadvantages in this fight. He is the undersized fighter in height and reach. To win the fight, he will need to take Tony Ferguson to the ground – where Oliveira is one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history with 19 wins by submission.  

That will be a challenge, though, as Ferguson has not lost by submission since October 2009. Overall, we like Ferguson as the higher-ranked underdog in this bout and as our favourite underdog to win at UFC 256.

Pick: Tony Ferguson (2.40) to Win the Fight

Renato Moicano vs. Rafael Fiziev Betting Predictions

To Win the Fight			To Win the Fight
Renato Moicano	2.05	1.74	Rafael Fiziev

The tightest fight at UFC 256 sees two lightweights looking to make some noise in a weight class that is more open than ever. This fight is Rafael Fiziev's first at a big-time UFC event, and we think he has what it takes to pull off the victory.

Fiziev is a strong fighter, with plenty of power coming from his lower body. He stands strong in the ring and gives his opponents a difficult time getting in close to land strikes or gain control. Renato Moicano is best when he can get a fight to the ground and move his opponent into a position he can submit them in.

It will be a tall task for Moicano to knock Fiziev off his feet, something we do not think he will be able to do consistently enough to pull off the upset. Take Fiziev in his pay-per-view debut, and watch out for him making noise in the weight class in 2021.  

Pick: Rafael Fiziew (1.74) to Win the Fight

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Category : Sports Blog

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