UFC Columbus: Curtis Blaydes vs Chris Daukaus Odds, Picks & Predictions

Another weekend, another UFC betting opportunity. Last weekend, UFC London took place and we went two for three on our best bets. The event was incredible to watch and it was nice to cash on two of our bets.

This Saturday, the Octagon travels to Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. It's a fun card on paper featuring 13 fights in total, and as always, we're here to give you our best UFC bets for the card.

Curtis Blaydes vs Chris Daukaus Odds

Odds via DraftKings sportsbook and current as of publication. Check out our DraftKings sportsbook review and latest DraftKings Promo Codes.

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Curtis Blaydes (-400) vs. Chris Daukaus (+300)

The main event of UFC Columbus is a five-round heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Chris Daukaus. Blaydes is a -400 betting favorite at top betting sites with the comeback on Daukaus at +300. There is a reason Blaydes is a big favorite, and that’s because this is his fight to lose.

Ever since joining the UFC in 2016, Blaydes has been an elite heavyweight, going 10-3, 1 NC overall. He has only lost to two men, UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou twice, and to Derrick Lewis.

Otherwise, Blaydes has beaten everyone in his path. His wrestling is dominant and it allows him to take down his opponents, put their backs on the mat, and then ride them out for a decision to finish them with strikes.

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Daukaus, meanwhile, is a striker who knocked out his first four UFC foes before getting knocked out by Lewis in his last fight. I really enjoy watching Daukaus fight because he has some of the best boxing skills in the heavyweight division.

However, he has never been out of the second round, and if he doesn’t knock out Blaydes in the first or second round, the odds are that he will get tired as the fight goes on and eventually get finished by TKO. Take Blaydes to win at -400 and alternatively, take him to win by TKO at -110.

The Pick: Curtis Blaydes at -400 with DraftKings

Alternative Pick: Curtis Blaydes wins via T/KO at -110 with DraftKings

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Other UFC Columbus Best Bets

Danaa Batgerel (-145) vs. Chris Gutierrez (+125)

One of the best fights on the preliminary card sees Danaa Batgerel against Chris Gutierrez in a bantamweight bout. Batgerel is a -145 favorite, while Gutierrez is a +125 underdog. It should be a great fight, one where I am leaning towards the underdog to get the victory.

After losing a decision in his UFC debut,Batgerel he has nuked his last three opponents, knocking them all out in the first round. Anytime someone is knocking opponents out in such a devastating fashion, people are going to notice. I’ve been high on Batgerel and have won money betting on him recently, but this looks like a spot to fade him.

The reason I like Gutierrez in this fight is that I know he can go three hard rounds and put up a good fight for your money. After losing his UFC debut, Gutierrez is quietly riding a six-fight unbeaten streak inside the Octagon.

He is an excellent striker in his own right with some of the most devastating low kicks you’ll ever see. And he’s never been knocked out in his career.

Batgerel has been on a nice roll, but I think the win streak ends here. Give me Gutierrez as an underdog at +125, and alternatively, you can take him to win a decision at +250 odds.

The Pick: Chris Gutierrez at +125 with DraftKings

Alternative Pick: Chris Gutierrez wins via decision at +250 with Caesars

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Luis Saldana (-120) vs. Bruno Souza (+100)

Kicking off the preliminary card is a featherweight bout between Luis Saldana and Bruno Souza. The odds are close, with Saldana as a slight -120 favorite and Souza as a +100 underdog on sports betting apps. However, I believe that should be flipped, with Souza as a slight favorite, so to get him as a +100 underdog is good value.

The 26-year-old Souza lost his UFC debut to Melsik Baghdasaryan last year as a heavy underdog, but the fight was more competitive than the odds suggested. Before coming to the UFC, Souza was the LFA featherweight champion and was riding a 10-fight win streak before that loss.

Although Souza’s karate style might not be everyone’s cup of tea, he is certainly an effective striker who is able to outpoint his foes and win decisions, if not knock them out.

Saldana, on the other hand, earned his UFC contract with an incredible front kick KO on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020. Since then, he’s had two UFC fights, squeaking by Jordan Griffin in a decision win and then losing to Austin Lingo.

Saldana is certainly a dangerous striker in his own right, but to me, he is too hittable. I also feel like he is going to struggle with the karate-based style of Souza, who is elusive and fairly difficult to hit.

I can’t pass on the underdog value of a fighter who I think should be slightly favored, so give me Souza at +100 to win. Alternatively, you can bet on Souza by decision at +190 odds.

The Pick: Bruno Souza at +100 with DraftKings

Alternative Pick: Bruno Souza wins via decision at +190 with Caesars

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