This weekend the UFC kicks off a five-event stretch back on Fight Island, and it is starting things off in style. UFC 253 is the first pay-per-view in over a month, and it brings with it two title fights, including the grudge-match between middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and top contender Paulo Costa. The UFC has put a lot of promotional capital into this event, and with a win, Adesanya will be one step closer to global superstardom.

That’s not all for the card, though with lots for UFC betting fans to get behind. The co-main event marks a seminal moment in one of the sport’s marquee divisions, when for the first time in almost a decade someone other than Jon Jones or Daniel Cormier will be crowned the UFC light heavyweight champion. Earlier this year, Jones vacated the division he has dominated for the last nine years, opening up the opportunity for Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz to compete for the vacant title.

It’s a new era for the UFC, so let’s get to the bets:

UFC 253 Odds & Predictions

UFC 253 Odds Boosts

UFC 253 Adesanya vs Costa Betting Tips

The main event for UFC 253 is among the most intriguing fights of the year as it presents two diametrically opposed styles. Adesanya is one of the most accomplished kickboxers ever to enter MMA, and he’s adapted his style beautifully to the sport. He’s all about precision, movement and angles, creating a ballet of violence that’s as beautiful as it is terrifying.

In contrast, Costa is a hulking avalanche of a man, who crowds opponents against the fence and batters them with massive hooks to the head and body. It’s a strategy that has proven highly effective so far in his career, but against Adesanya, Costa has met his match.

The champion's footwork and jab are going to give the swarming Costa fits all night, and as Costa gets increasingly frustrated by his inability to corral Adesanya, he will open himself up to more counters. Eventually, one of those will turn off the lights. Bet on Adesanya by KO/TKO with DraftKings.

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UFC 253 Reyes vs Blachowicz Betting Tips

In the co-main event, Dominick Reyes gets an opportunity to set right what was done wrong to him in February, when Reyes lost his light heavyweight title fight with Jon Jones despite the majority of people believing he should have won the fight. Unfortunately for Reyes, this time he’ll be fighting the much less heralded Jan Blachowicz, but he should still be pleased with the outcome anyway.

Blachowicz is a good fighter who has seemingly turned a corner in his career to become more of a power puncher, but in this fight he is just outmatched. Reyes is an excellent athlete, the heavier puncher and by far the more mobile of the two. The last time Blachowicz faced a fighter with these attributes, Thiago Santos knocked him out in the third round. Look for the same to happen here. Grab Reyes by KO/TKO with BetAmerica.

UFC 253 Vieira vs Eubanks Betting Tips

This is a fairly straightforward bout as both Ketlen Vieira and Sijara Eubanks are grapplers by trade and this fight will come down to who can impose her game on the other. Eubanks is likely the better pure grappler, having won accolades at the Mundials (world jiu-jitsu championships), but Vieira is the better wrestler, boasting a sensational 92 percent takedown defense in the UFC.

If Eubanks can keep it standing, she’s more active there and can probably out-box Vieira. However, given Vieira’s aggressive takedown game, I don’t think Eubanks will be able to do so. Instead, Eubanks will be forced to fight off her back, and thus she’ll come up short on the judges’ cards. Get Vieira by decision with BetMGM.

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UFC 253 Matthews vs Sanchez Betting Tips

The old saying in sports is that Father Time is undefeated, and more than anything, that’s what this bout comes down to. Diego Sanchez is 38 going on 58 in fight years, and though he continues to compete and occasionally even looks half decent for stretches, Sanchez is just not the fighter he once was.

Matthews is younger, bigger and stronger, and should be able to impose his physicality on Sanchez in a way that makes longtime fans cringe to watch, ultimately leading to a stoppage. Back Matthews by KO/TKO at FOXBet.

UFC 253 Dawodu vs Tukhugov Betting Tips

The pay-per-view main card opener is a sleeper Fight of the Night contender. Hakeem Dawodu has quietly become a very good featherweight with a high-output striking style and some pop in his hands.

In many ways, Zubaira Tukhugov is the opposite, arriving in the UFC to much fanfare based on his association with lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov but having turned in some fairly disappointing performances in the UFC.

To be sure, Tukhugov is a step up in competition for Dawodu, but if he can keep it on the feet, this is his fight to lose. Thus far, the Canadian’s takedown defense has proven sturdy inside the promotion, so I think he’ll do just that. Bet on it with Unibet.

UFC 253 Date, Time & TV Information

When is UFC 253?

UFC 253 is Saturday, September 27, on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

What Time is UFC 253?

The main card is schedule to begin at 10 p.m. ET; the preliminary card begins at 7 p.m. ET.

Where Can I Watch UFC 253 Adesanya vs Costa?

UFC 253 Adesanya vs Costa is available on EPSN PPV.