UFC 306 is approaching, and we are breaking down four potential upset picks for the highly anticipated event.
For the very first time, the UFC will be hosting an event at the newly minted Sphere in Las Vegas. The card features a pair of world title fights, with bantamweight king Sean O’Malley attempting to defend his belt against Merab Dvalishvili.
You can bet on all the action at the various online sportsbooks, which are welcoming new customers with a bonus. UFC 306 is scheduled for Saturday with the main card commencing at 10 p.m. EST.
Four potential upsets to look for at UFC 306
Here are the latest UFC 306 betting odds, along with four potential upset picks:
A former long-time women’s flyweight title holder, Valentina Shevchenko has gone over two years without winning a fight. Her last victory came against Taila Santos in June 2022.
Since then, the fighter known as The Bullet has shared the octagon on back-to-back occasions with current divisional champ Alexa Grasso. After being submitted in the first meeting, Shevchenko went the distance in the rematch, which ultimately ended in a split draw.
Shevchenko at plus money on the betting line is a very rare occurrence. It might be wise to jump in and back the former flyweight queen. The 36-year-old is aiming to prove that Grasso isn’t her kryptonite.
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add’l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Not reissued for voided/pushed bets. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, Washington, D.C. (OLG Class A licensed Operator), KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah’s Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF. Data & text rates may apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER, MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org, NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369).
Brian Ortega def. Diego Lopes (+160, BetMGM)
Brian Ortega will face Diego Lopes on the UFC 306 main card in what is a rescheduled bout, originally set to take place in June.
Nicknamed T-City, Ortega is just 2-3 in his last five bouts, but two of those defeats came in Fight of the Night bonus-earning performances. Ortega picked up a third-round submission over Yair Rodriguez in his most-recent outing.
Lopes, on the other hand, is a more unproven entity who is riding a four-fight win streak into UFC 306. The Mexican native is looking for his third win of 2024 after already defeating Sodiq Yusuff and Dan Ige this year.
Taking Ortega at plus money sounds like a steal. The 33-year-old looked incredible in his last fight and can pull off the slight upset.
21+ only. First Bet Offer for new customers only. Min. first deposit of $10. Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. Bonus bets amount equals lost stake up to $1500. Must be physically located in NC, NJ, IN, WV, DC, CO, PA, MI, IA, AZ, LA, TN, IL, VA, MD, MS, WY, MA, KS, OH, or KY. Void where prohibited. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Data & text rates may apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA).
Norma Dumont def. Irene Aldana (-108, DraftKings)
Neither Norma Dumont nor Irene Aldana has plus money odds, but the former is an ever-so-slight betting underdog at UFC 306.
Dumont is in the midst of a four-fight unanimous decision winning streak, while Aldana is 1-1 dating to the start of 2022. Yes, Aldana went five rounds with women’s mixed martial arts legend Amanda Nunes, but Dumont has been more impressive in the UFC overall.
Betting on this bout to go the distance, which is a prop bet that will be available at DraftKings as the event nears, is a wager to make. Still, the prediction here is that Dumont gets her hand raised.
21+ only (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). 21+ and present in DC, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, TN, VA, or VT. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH and where prohibited. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/bball. Ends 1/5/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DraftKings. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Data & text rates may apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Ignacio Bahamondes def. Manuel Torres (+100, FanDuel)
Igancio Bahamondes is getting plus money at FanDuel, but not everywhere else. The +100 odds for Bahamondes are very favorable for his UC 306 fight against Manuel Torres.
The Chilean native is 4-2 under the UFC banner, with three of his victories coming by way of highlight stoppage. Notably, both defeats were via decision. Torres, however, has looked unstoppable in the octagon, with three first-round finishes to begin his tenure.
How does Torres fare if he can’t put Bahamondes away in the first five minutes? That remains to be seen, and importantly, Bahamondes hasn’t been finished since 2017.
21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL IN, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA (excluding certain perishes), MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Void where prohibited. First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. After 3 months free trial, the full price of League Pass will be automatically charged monthly; cancel anytime. NBA League Pass – local blackout restrictions appply. No refunds. Terms, restrictions, and embargoes apply. Limit 1 pass per customer. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Data & text rates may apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
