Coming off of an electric UFC 275, UFC Austin has a lot to live up to. Thankfully, the card is filled with sleeper hits and should provide enough entertainment to satisfy spectators across the globe. There is a lack of value underdogs to punt on this weekend, so here are some UFC Austin betting tips to help bettors win big this weekend.
UFC Austin Betting Tips
Calvin Kattar to win via decision (+130)
Calvin Kattar (23-5) faces Josh Emmett (17-2) in the main event of the evening that has Fight of the Night potential. Both men are coming into this contest off of dominant victories and will be searching for a statement win to place them into title contention in the stagnating 145lb division.
Josh Emmett is an incredibly explosive striker whose heavy hands have earnt him an impressive highlight reel. However, this style does no favors against someone like Kattar. In his brutal loss to Max Holloway, Kattar showed that he is borderline impossible to finish. In order to win this bout, Emmett will have to show better pacing than he usually has done throughout his UFC tenure. That being said, Emmett will have a narrow advantage in the wrestling department and should look to take Kattar down early to sap the energy out of the Boston native.
Calvin Kattar will be headlining his fourth card in a row. Kattar will enjoy the fact that this fight is in the main-event slot, with his last three fights going the full 25 minutes. This is in stark contrast to Emmett who has only gone five rounds once in his career, all the way back in 2014. “The Boston Finisher” will be best served by punishing Emmett’s body and utilizing a high-volume striking offense in order to dominate this bout in the latter rounds.
Considering Emmett has only lost once via KO in his career, which included an illegal knee by Jeremy Stephens, there is excellent value in backing Kattar to win this fight via decision.
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Albert Duraev to win via finish (+130)
Joaquin Buckley (14-4) will be moving up to the 185lb division to test his skills against Albert Duraev (15-3). Both fighters come into this one on a run of impressive form but the stylistic matchup undoubtedly favors Duraev.
Buckley has won three of his four UFC victories by way of knockout, including an earth-shattering spin-kick knockout of Impa Kasanganay. However, he has also proven to be vulnerable with knockout losses to both Kevin Holland and Alessio Di Chirico. Buckley is a great athlete and a hard-hitter, but the move up to 185lbs may leave him physically outmuscled against opposition as talented as Duraev.
On paper, Duraev is a nightmare matchup for Buckley. Duraev is currently on a ten-fight win streak and is a very accomplished kickboxer. Duraev’s three-inch height advantage should aid him in keeping Buckley out of effective range whilst picking away with the more accurate shots. In addition to this, the Russian has shown crushing top pressure throughout his MMA career and will have a notable advantage in the grappling department.
Duraev has three wins by way of knockout and nine by submission, so it is difficult to eliminate either of these methods of victory. However, backing him to win via finish carries great value considering the sizeable wrestling advantage he carries alongside Buckley’s not-so-reliable chin.
