UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. The Korean Zombie Full Card Betting Guide
Two title fights and the most anticipated fight of the year headline UFC 273 on Saturday, April 9, at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonvilla, Fla.
On the marquee, it’s Alexander Volkanovski against Chan Sung Jung (a.k.a The Korean Zombie) for the featherweight strap. Preceding that is a bantamweight championship rematch between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan.
But all eyes are on Khamzat Chimaev, who gets his first major test in the UFC facing former title challenger Gilbert Burns.
The 12-fight card starts at 6:30 p.m. ET. The pay-per-view is set for 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Make sure to check out Question Mark Kicks two hours before the prelims begin for Matt and Craig’s final thoughts on the fight card. Also, join them for the Fight Night Picks Sidekick, which goes live alongside every PPV main card.
Fight Previews
Bantamweight
Julio Arce (-184)
Record: 17-5 (4-3 UFC)
Wins: 5 KO, 5 SUB | Losses: 1 KO, 1 SUB
Props: Over 2.5 rounds (-168); Wins ITD (+221), by decision (+149), by TKO (+469), by submission (+441)
Daniel Santos (+155)
Record: 10-1 (UFC debut)
Wins: 5 KO, 2 SUB | Losses: 1 DEC
Props: Under 2.5 rounds (+132); Wins ITD (+404), by decision (+348), by TKO (+500), by submission (+1212)
Best Value: Julio Arce (-184)
The weight miss for Arce is a big concern, and it keeps this off my card. But Daniel Santos is still making his debut after a two-year layoff.
Women’s Strawweight
Piera Rodriguez (-126)
Record: 7-0 (UFC debut)
Wins: 5 KO | Losses: n/a
Props: Over 2.5 rounds (-227); Wins ITD (+376), by decision (+151), by TKO (+456), by submission (+1294)
Kay Hansen (+105)
Record: 7-5 (1-2 UFC)
Wins: 2 KO, 4 SUB | Losses: 1 KO
Props: Under 2.5 rounds (+175); Wins ITD (+332), by decision (+242), by TKO (+1019), by submission (+433)
Best Value: Kay Hansen (+105)
An extra two pounds can only help Hansen’s grappling against the striking-focused debutant.
Heavyweight
Aleksei Oleinik (-109)
Record: 59-16-1 (8-7 UFC)
Wins: 8 KO, 46 SUB | Losses: 9 KO, 2 SUB
Props: Over 1.5 rounds (-113); Wins ITD (+130), by decision (+655), by TKO (+936), by submission (+159)
Jared Vanderaa (-111)
Record: 12-7 (1-3 UFC)
Wins: 7 KO, 3 SUB | Losses: 2 KO, 2 SUB
Props: Under 1.5 rounds (-113); Wins ITD (+149), by decision (+490), by TKO (+158), by submission (+2167)
Best Value: Oleinik submission (+159)
I said it two weeks ago when Oleinik was set to face Ilir Latifi, but this prop is like aisle-store candy for me: Irresistible.
Welterweight
Mickey Gall (+159)
Record: 7-4 (6-4 UFC)
Wins: 6 SUB | Losses: 1 KO
Props: Over 2.5 rounds (+144); Wins ITD (+262), by decision (+576), by TKO (+833), by submission (+376)
Mike Malott (-187)
Record: 7-1-1 (UFC debut)
Wins: 3 KO, 4 SUB | Losses: 1 KO
Props: Under 2.5 rounds (-177); Wins ITD (+110), by decision (+339), by TKO (+203), by submission (+337)
Best Value: Mickey Gall (+159)
Gall undoubtedly has his limitations, but Malott is no world-beater coming into the UFC.
Women’s Bantamweight
Aspen Ladd (+154)
Record: 9-2 (4-2 UFC)
Wins: 6 KO, 1 SUB | Losses: 1 KO
Props: Over 2.5 rounds (-350); Wins ITD (+557), by decision (+249), by TKO (+763), by submission (+1538)
Raquel Pennington (-185)
Record: 13-8 (10-5 UFC)
Wins: 1 KO, 4 SUB | Losses: 1 KO, 1 SUB
Props: Under 2.5 rounds (+255); Wins ITD (+374), by decision (-102), by TKO (+975), by submission (+1538)
Best Value: Aspen Ladd (+154)
It’s insane to me you can get these odds on Ladd. Rocky is as tough as they come, but Ladd is more talented.
Middleweight
Anthony Hernandez (-193)
Record: 8-2 (2-2 UFC)
Wins: 1 KO, 6 SUB | Losses: 1 KO, 1 SUB
Props: Over 1.5 rounds (+110); Wins ITD (-125), by decision (+530), by TKO (+294), by submission (+185)
Josh Fremd (+161)
Record: 9-2 (UFC debut)
Wins: 4 KO, 3 SUB | Losses: 1 KO
Props: Under 1.5 rounds (-140); Wins ITD (+226), by decision (+773), by TKO (+263), by submission (+1213)
Best Value: Over 1.5 rounds (+110)
Fremd is hittable, but Hernandez doesn’t boast knockout power. This might be my favorite bet on the card. I also love Fluffy at -193, too.
Welterweight
Ian Garry (-377)
Record: 8-0 (1-0 UFC)
Wins: 5 KO, 1 SUB | Losses: n/a
Props: Over 1.5 rounds (-176); Wins ITD (-103), by decision (+204), by TKO (+115), by submission (+706)
Darian Weeks (+294)
Record: 5-1 (0-1 UFC)
Wins: 3 KO, 2 SUB | Losses: 1 DEC
Props: Under 1.5 rounds (+140); Wins ITD (+477), by decision (+739), by TKO (+600), by submission (+1684)
Best Value: Garry decision (+204)
Darian Weeks is more game than people think. His wrestling defense is a concern but he’s good enough to get this to the scorecards against a heavy favorite.
Lightweight
Vinc Pichel (-118)
Record: 14-2 (7-2 UFC)
Wins: 8 KO | Losses: 1 KO, 1 SUB
Props: Over 2.5 rounds (-205); Wins ITD (+293), by decision (+182), by TKO (+334), by submission (+1056)
Mark Madsen (+159)
Record: 11-0 (3-0 UFC)
Wins: 3 KO, 3 SUB | Losses: n/a
Props: Under 2.5 rounds (+159); Wins ITD (+349), by decision (+214), by TKO (+713), by submission (+753)
Best Value: Over 2.5 rounds (-205)
This is going to the scorecards. I have no doubts.
Women’s Strawweight
Mackenzie Dern (-120)
Record: 11-2 (6-2 UFC)
Wins: 7 SUB | Losses: 2 DEC
Props: Over 2.5 rounds (-190); Wins ITD (+189), by decision (+319), by TKO (+1169), by submission (+211)
Tecia Torres (+100)
Record: 13-5 (9-5 UFC)
Wins: 1 KO, 1 SUB | Losses: 5 DEC
Props: Under 2.5 rounds (+150); Wins ITD (+569), by decision (+144), by TKO (+781), by submission (+1806)
Best Value: Torres decision (+144)
Tornado has never been finished, and I don’t see Dern outstriking or outwrestling her.
Welterweight
Gilbert Burns (+377)
Record: 20-4 (13-4 UFC)
Wins: 6 KO, 8 SUB | Losses: 2 KO
Props: Over 1.5 rounds (-121); Wins ITD (+700), by decision (+800), by TKO (+1250), by submission (+1167)
Khamzat Chimaev (-508)
Record: 10-0 (4-0 UFC)
Wins: 5 KO, 5 SUB | Losses: n/a
Props: Under 1.5 rounds (-106); Wins ITD (-225), by decision (+300), by TKO (+115), by submission (+290)
Best Value: Gilbert Burns (+377)
This is a massive step up in competition for Chimaev, and nobody knows how he’ll perform. These odds are disrespectful to a former title challenger many people picked to beat Kamaru Usman.
Bantamweight Championship
Aljamain Sterling (+354)
Record: 20-3 (12-3 UFC)
Wins: 2 KO, 8 SUB | Losses: 1 KO
Props: Over 4.5 rounds (-131); Wins ITD (+658), by decision (+683), by TKO (+1561), by submission (+911)
Petr Yan (-463)
Record: 16-2 (8-1 UFC)
Wins: 7 KO, 1 SUB | Losses: 1 DEC
Props: Under 4.5 rounds (+102); Wins ITD (+130), by decision (+123), by TKO (+152), by submission (+1000)
Best Value: Yan ITD (+130)
There’s just no weakness in Yan’s game. I anticipate the rematch will allow Yan to download Sterling’s gameplan a little quicker and end things early. Yan at -463 should anchor all of your parlays this weekend.
Featherweight Championship
Alexander Volkanovski (-748)
Record: 23-1 (10-0 UFC)
Wins: 11 KO, 3 SUB | Losses: 1 KO
Props: Over 4.5 rounds (-154); Wins ITD (+155), by decision (-125), by TKO (+187), by submission (+1006)
Chan Sung Jung (+514)
Record: 17-6 (7-3 UFC)
Wins: 6 KO, 8 SUB | Losses: 3 KO
Props: Under 4.5 rounds (+121); Wins ITD (+703), by decision (+1170), by TKO (+961), by submission (+1676)
Best Value: Under 4.5 rounds (+121)
This goes one of two ways: Volkanovski is leagues better than The Korean Zombie and gets a finish; or Korean Zombie lands a big power shot up the middle and stuns the champ. Neither scenario ends with the judges.
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