MMA DFS and Betting Breakdown: UFC Fight Night - Royval vs. Taira

by Liam Heslin (LiamPicksFights) Last Updated 2024-10-12 16:47:59 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 is back in the Apex Center for an international showcase. Tatsuro Taira headlines for the second time this year opposite a more “proven” veteran talent. Brandon Royval sprung an upset against Brandon Moreno via split decision in their February rematch and looks to play spoiler once again opposite the fastest-rising flyweight prospect in the division.

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

MMA DFS and Betting Breakdown for UFC Fight Night – Royval vs. Taira

Daniel Rodriguez $8,900 vs. Alex Morono $7,300

Fight Odds: -215 Rodriguez vs. +172 Morono
Weight Class: 170lb. (Welterweight)

Daniel Rodriguez is on a tough 3-fight losing skid heading into this contest, but he just re-signed with the UFC, so he doesn’t have the pressure of fighting for his job hanging over his head. He also takes a step down in athletic pedigree from Kelvin Gastelum and Ian Garry to Alex Morono. Rodriguez is a more powerful, more voluminous, and more effective striker than Morono. He is the bigger fighter in height and reach and he fights out of a southpaw stance.

Morono is a savvy veteran of the game and a younger fighter than Rodriguez at just 34 years old, but he has looked diminished in his recent fights. Morono is 13-7 in the UFC but just 2-3 over his last 5 fights, and he hasn’t had a standout performance in the bunch. He scraped out a decision over Court McGee in uninspired fashion, he blew a winnable fight against Niko Price, and he got chin checked by Santiago Ponzinibbio in the third round. He did submit Tim Means, but Means has fallen victim to submission 8 times, including in 3 of his last 5 losses.

Rodriguez looked a touch diminished himself when he got out-hustled to his first ever stoppage loss against Neil Magny, so if I were cornering Morono, I would encourage him to try to grapple and test the pedigree of Rodriguez. That being said, Rodriguez looked solid against Gastelum despite last-minute shenanigans by the Gastelum camp. Now he has a more winnable fight against an opponent who gets hurt quite often and has been stopped 3 times as a pro.

Prediction: Daniel Rodriguez defeats Alex Morono via TKO2/3/UDEC

Grant Dawson $9,500 vs. Rafa Garcia $6,700