UFC 313 brings to the table a bevy of interesting tussles from all across the weight spectrum. From veterans testing themselves against their younger contemporaries, to top prospects duking it out for divisional supremacy, the third promotional pay-per-view event of 2025 will have fight fans glued to their screens from start to finish.
For avid bettors, there are a trio of underdogs that stand to offer a handsome return on investment should they come out on top. They also have the opportunity to prove that, despite the plus sign next to their names, they are some of the best in their weight class for a reason.
UFC 313 is set to take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This card offers several interesting matchups that offer great opportunities for bettors looking to get in on the action. North Carolina residents can take advantage by utilizing NC Sports Betting Promo Codes, which offer substantial bonuses and promotions tailored to the state’s bettors.
Here are three underdogs we are keeping a close eye on at UFC 313.
Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall
Current betting status: Santos -310 to Marshall +250
Perfect in his past two contests, Mairon Santos has all the makings of a surging name at featherweight. First gaining notoriety on the 32nd season of the Ultimate Fighter as a standout member of Valentina Shevchenko’s team, “The Legend” won his first two fights to earn himself a spot in the finale. Walking into the Octagon for the first time at UFC on ESPN 62, Santos (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) announced himself to the rest of the 145-lb roster when he knocked out tournament hopeful Kaan Ofli in the second round.
Climbing his way up the regional circuit, Francis Marshall (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) earned his UFC contract back in 2022 on Dana White’s Contender Series by defeating fellow undefeated competitor Connor Matthews. While he would triumph in his company debut, “Fire” was subsequently burned in his next two bouts, dropping a split decision to William Gomis and a first round knockout to Isaac Dulgarian. He ended up rebounding, though, with a late 2024 victory over Dennis Buzukja.
On paper, this should be a complete blowout for the red-hot Santos as he looks to make his ascent towards the top at featherweight. However, while Marshall may have an even promotional record, he has a proven track record of finishes, having ended all but three of his eight professional fights inside the distance. He also holds a much greater amount of UFC experience than his South American foe, as he has competed with some of the best 145-lb fighters outside the official rankings.
Carlos Leal vs. Alex Morono
Current betting odds: Leal -800 to Morono +550
At UFC 308 last October, Carlos Leal stepped up for the opportunity of a lifetime by filling in on short notice versus Rinat Fakhretdinov, who was riding a 22-fight unbeaten streak. Taking the Russian to the scorecards, Leal wound up losing a highly-competitive split decision, much to the disbelief of the crowd. While many fans did not know much about the Brazilian until his exciting debut, Leal (21-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) was already a well-seasoned mixed martial artist in his own right. Competing for various high profile entities such as Legacy Fighting Alliance, Bellator and Professional Fighters League, “The Lion” has crossed paths with world-class names like Ray Cooper III and Sadibou Sy, twice.
A professional competitor since 2010, Alex Morono is easily one of the most venerable individuals in the UFC’s welterweight division. Known for his exceptional all-around skillset, “The Great White” has devoured a slew of top notch opposition since joining the promotion in 2016, holding wins over Max Griffin, Donal Cerrone, Mickey Gall and Court McGee. In addition to being an active fighter, Morono (24-11-1NC MMA, 13-8-1NC UFC) also co-owns Gracie Barra The Woodlands alongside his wife in Texas, where he is the head striking coach.
In his freshman outing to the cage, Leal impressed in spades by taking a strong opponent like Fakhretdinov to the judge’s scorecards. Although he is just as experienced as Morono in terms of the number of contests he has participated in, Morono has the means to make the Brazilian’s night a troublesome one wherever the bout goes. With a strong background in striking, and possessing a second degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, no one should be surprised if the American pulls off the upset.
Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
Current betting odds: Bahamondes -130 to Turner +110
Standing 6 ‘3 with a 75.5 inch reach, Jalin Turner is a physically imposing force at lightweight. Getting into the UFC on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018, “The Tarantula’s” first forays into the Octagon did not go so well, losing a welterweight scrap against Vicente Luque, only to go 1-1 in his next two fights at 155-lb. He did end up making a major turnaround, however, winning his next five in a row with victories over Uroš Medić, Jamie Mullarkey and Brad Riddell. Sadly, this rebound came to a crashing halt at UFC 285 with a split decision defeat to Mateusz Gamrot, and since this setback, Turner (14-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) has yet to string together another win streak.
On the verge of cracking the lightweight top 15, Ignacio Bahamondes (16-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has the opportunity to count himself amongst some of the greatest fighters on the planet. Skyrocketing in popularity with a highlight-reel wheel kick stoppage over Roosevelt Roberts, “La Jaula” has enjoyed a steady rise within the organization, losing just one contest in the past three years. His only defeat in that time period came against fellow touted prospect Ľudovít Klein.
When it comes to the physical side of things, Turner will have his work cut out for him, as Bahamondes almost matches him in both height and reach at 6’ 1 and with a wingspan of 75 inches. While he is coming off of a vicious knockout to Renato Moicano at UFC 300, the California native has gotten back up after being finished before and yielded significant positive results. He also has dealt with a much higher level of adversity of competition than the Chilean has encountered in his UFC tenure, like other superb strikers like Bobby Green and Dan Hooker.