Aussie champ Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski returns to the Octagon in what should be yet another victory for the featherweight king.
The main card has plenty of short-priced favourites, so we will look for value in some of the exotics markets.
Here are our UFC 273 tips and multi for this Sunday’s card.
Best Bet
Alexander Volkanovski ($1.11) vs Chan Sung Jung ($6.00)
Volkanovski by decision ($1.72)
The former Prop for the Group 7 Warilla Gorillas, the pride of Wollongong and the undisputed UFC Featherweight Champion of the World, Alexander Volkanovski once again defends his 145lb title, this time up against a crafty and suitably nicknamed “The Korean Zombie.”
Yet to be beaten inside the Octagon, Volkanovski has vanquished a murderers row of opponents during his title run. Taking out former champions (and arguably some of the best of all time at 145lb) such as Jose Aldo and Max Holloway twice, and most recently winning a decision against Brian Ortega in what many claimed was the 2021 Fight of the Year.
Korean Zombie is somewhat of a fan favourite due to his fighting style of coming forward and never stopping (hence the nickname). That said, he is an extremely technical striker who also possesses a BJJ black belt. He is coming off a clinical decision victory over Dan Ige back in June of last year.
Volkanovski shouldn’t get too many issues from Jung. He has him covered skill wise in most, if not all aspects and he showed in his last fight against Ortega, he has the ability to overcome adversity and go far longer than the maximum 25 minutes. Jung has proven to be quite hard to finish and with Volkanovski’s penchant for taking his time and picking his opponents apart (5 of his last 6 wins going the distance), another title defence by way of Unanimous Decision looks the likely outcome here.
More UFC Tips
Aljamain Sterling ($4.25) vs Petr Yan ($1.20)
Yan by KO ($2.63)
This Bantamweight title fight is a rematch from UFC 259. That bout ended in controversial circumstances after Yan blasted Sterling with an illegal knee while he was grounded, resulting in a disqualification in a fight he was well on his way to winning.
Yan will be looking to redeem himself after that brain explosion. Having won 5 of his last 8 fights by KO, he should be able to take his title back within the requisite five rounds.
Khamzat Chimaev ($1.17) vs Gilbert Burns ($4.65)
Chimaev by Decision ($4.50)
Undefeated 170lb prospect Khamzat Chimaev faces his toughest opponent yet in former Welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns.
Although Chimaev comes into this fight yet again as an overwhelming betting favourite, he will have his work cut out for him against the powerful and durable Burns.
Chimaev taking this one to the judges scorecards looks value.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik ($1.61) vs Marcin Tybura ($2.25)
Under 1.5 Rounds ($2.20)
These big boys should come out swinging from the opening bell. Rozenstruik has never seen the judges in his career and all but one of his wins have come by KO/TKO.
Tybura is certainly no stranger to throwing hands either, having knocked out both Greg Hardy and Walt Harris, before losing an Unanimous Decision to Alexander Volkov on October of last year.
Don’t expect anything too technical here, it should be fireworks from the get go and it will only be a matter of time before someone lands something of substance and puts an end to proceedings.
Mackenzie Dern ($1.76) vs Tecia Torres ($2.05)
Dern by Submission ($3.50)
Brazilian JiuJitsu wizard Mackenzie Dern is looking to get her 115lb title prospects back on track but she has to get through a crafty UFC veteran in Tecia Torres.
Dern had her four fight winning streak come to a grinding halt at UFC Fight Night 194, when dropping a Decision to Marina Rodriguez.
Torres on the other hand is riding a wave of momentum, having won her last three in a row.
The American is no slouch on the ground but if the fight heads that way, she will certainly have her hands full. Dern is levels above in the grappling department (as witnessed in her four submission wins in the UFC) and if she ends up in a dominant position, an armbar or choke will not be far behind.
Multi
Volkanovski by decision, Yan by KO, Chimaev H2H ($5.29)
