MMA DFS and Betting Breakdown: UFC Fight Night - Adesanya vs. Imavov

by Liam Heslin (LiamPicksFights) Last Updated 2025-01-31 23:23:50 Premium Content Part of the product MMA Premium

Liam Heslin (aka LiamPicksFights) is a massive combat sports fan with over a decade of experience competing in wrestling and grappling martial arts. For each UFC event, he produces the MMA DFS and sports betting breakdown for RotoGrinders.

The UFC returns to Saudi Arabia for their second annual event in Riyadh. Former Champion and global superstar Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya is looking to right the ship after suffering back-to-back losses against Sean Strickland (UDEC) and Dricus Du Plessis (SUB4). Across from him will be a hungry young contender in Nassourdine Imavov (7-2 UFC), who will be looking to leverage a win over Adesanya to fight for the title later this year. The card is full of interesting bouts, including 3 heavyweight tilts with international flavor.

Note: All DFS salaries listed are from DraftKings & all odds quoted are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

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MMA DFS and Betting Breakdown: UFC Fight Night – Adesanya vs. Imavov

Mike Davis ($8,400) vs. Fares Ziam ($7,800)

Fight Odds: -148 Davis vs. +120 Ziam
Weight Class: 155lb. (Lightweight)

This is a fascinating fight and great matchmaking from the UFC. Mike Davis is clearly the superior athlete between these two men judging by his physique, body composition, and physical strength. Davis has secured 14 takedowns, approximately 16 minutes of control time, and 1 submission victory in his last 4 UFC appearances. He fights somewhat infrequently because of injuries, but he is a powerful striker and a horsepower grappler at his best.

Fares Ziam looked at his career best in his last fight against Matt Frevola, so we have to acknowledge he has been improving over time. That being said, we have seen Ziam get muscled around by Terrance McKinney (5-4 UFC) and outwrestled by Claudio Puelles (5-3 UFC), Luigi Vendramini (1-3 UFC), Jamie Mullarkey (5-6 UFC), and Don Madge (2-2 PFL).

Davis should have the wrestling chops and the strength to force takedowns on Ziam, but the interesting dynamic of this fight will be seeing if Ziam can extend Davis, make him work hard for takedowns, and look to rally back late in the fight. Davis has seen noticeable drop-offs in his output in round 3, and his muscle-laden frame is liable to fatigue over the course of 15 minutes. I expect this to look like a Mike Davis fight early, but if he is unable to close the show, I expect Ziam to rally late and test the staying power of Davis in round 3.

Prediction: Mike Davis defeats Fares Ziam via SUB/DEC (or Ziam Rd. 3 / SDEC)

Said Nurmagomedov ($8,700) vs. Vinicius Oliveira ($7,500)

Fight Odds: -170 Nurmagomedov vs. +138 Oliveira
Weight Class: 135lb. (Bantamweight)