Best UFC 280 Bets: Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira Picks

Dan Favale
By , Updated on: Oct 18, 2022 08:00 PM
Best UFC 280 Bets: Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira Picks

Have you hashed out all of your UFC 280 betting? If not, now is the perfect time to start. Saturday, October 22, is the big night—and it will be here before you know it.

Don't worry about not finding the right UFC 280 betting lines this far in advance. The best online UFC betting sites in 2022 have already released their UFC 280 odds. Good thing, too. Because we're itching to drop our Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira picks.

Mind you, that's not all we're here to do. We also have UFC 280 predictions for Aljamain Sterling vs. TJ Dillashaw, Petr Yan vs. Sean O'Malley, Mateusz Gamrot vs. Beneil Dariush and Manon Fiorot vs. Katlyn Chookagian.

Let's begin by taking stock of the latest betting odds for UFC 280, courtesy of our friends over at BetUS:

FavoriteBetUSBetUSUnderdog
Islam Makhachev-190+155Charles Oliveira
Aljamain Sterling-170+140TJ Dillashaw
Petr Yan-300+220Sean O'Malley
Mateusz Gamrot-180+150Beneil Dariush
Manon Fiorot-190+155Katlyn Chookagian

Please note that our UFC 280 predictions are accurate entering Wednesday, October 5. Since UFC 280 kicks off on Saturday, October 22, you should make sure to recheck all of these MMA betting lines right up until you submit your wager. Sportsbooks will undoubtedly continue futzing and fiddling with their odds on UFC 280 through the opening bell.

The good thing about betting on UFC in advance? It gives you ample opportunity to check out our best betting apps for the UFC, many of which will be running special promotions in advance of this loaded card. And don't sweat it if you don't want to go the betting app route. We also have reviews of the top online sportsbooks, so whatever betting medium you're looking for, we've got you covered.

On to our UFC 280 picks!

Islam Makhachev Won't Have Much Trouble Taking Down Charles Oliveira

Or will he?

There is a degree of concern here for Islam Makhachev bettors. Charles Oliveira is a more ferocious striker. He is landing 3.53 significant strikes per minute compared to Makhachev's 2.27. Oliveira also hasn't lost since UFC 218, which was all the way back in December 2017!

Still, we're inclined to roll with the superior power and wrestling skills of Makhachev.

He may not be a quick striker, but his connections matter, and there are few fighters who can escape his grip. Each of Makhachev's past four victories have come by submission or knockout.

What's more, he has lost only once in his UFC career. And that loss came at UFC 192—all the way back in May 2015. 

OSB Prediction: Islam Makhachev (-190)

Islam Makhachev To beat Charles Oliveira
-190
BetUS

Can TJ Dillashaw Pull Off the UFC 280 Betting Upset vs. Aljamain Sterling?

Oddsmakers are rolling with the safer option here in Aljamain Sterling. He is more efficient with his fighting style than opponent TJ Dillashaw. Sterling lands 50 percent of his significant strikes and prevents 60 percent of his rival strike attempts.

Dillashaw, on the other hand, takes chances. He is landing 5.26 significant strikes per minute but connecting on them at a 41 percent clip. His risk-taking also leads to him withstanding a lot of blows.

However, we like Dillashaw as the aggressor in this matchup. He boasts better wrestling defense than Sterling, and he enters with underrated force off his back foot. The upset is a good bet here.

OSB Prediction: TJ Dillashaw (+140)

TJ Dillashaw To beat Aljamain Sterling
+140
BetUS

Petr Yan Looks to Get Back on the Winning Track in Matchup with Sean O'Malley

Petr Yan has lost two of his past three fights, which has led many to wonder whether he's regressing. But both of those letdowns came against Aljamain Sterling, whose style is a tough pull for Yan.

Fighting Sean O'Malley poses no such issues. He is landing a ridiculous 7.75 significant strikes per minute, but that's often thanks to his long reach. In reality, he isn't as strong as Yan, and he doesn't have the defensive stances necessary to ward off methodical striking or kicking combinations.

To be sure, this is a fight that might be closer than odds suggest. We could absolutely see it reaching a decision. But that decision will belong to Yan.

OSB Prediction: Petr Yan (-300)

Petr Yan To beat Sean O'Malley
-300
BetUS

Beneil Dariush has the Inside Track on Upending Mateusz Gamrot

Sign us up for another underdog bet with Beneil Dariush.

Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot match each other almost perfectly in just about every area—striking offense, striking defense, takedown attempts, takedown defense, etc. But Dariush begins to separate himself as a master tactician.

Where Mateusz can struggle to lock opponents up and control the pace of a battle, Dariush excels at this particular skill. And with both fighters so evenly matched in every other area, we believe that will make all the difference.

OSB Prediction: Beneil Dariush (+150)

Beneil Dariush To beat Mateusz Gamrot
+150
BetUS

Brace Yourself for UFC 280 Betting Toss-Up Between Katlyn Chookagian and Manon Fiorot

Believe it or not, this is the toughest pick for us to make on the UFC 280 betting card.

In on corner, we have the proven experience of Katlyn Chookagian. She has an 18-4-0 record, hasn't lost since UFC Fight Night in October 2002 and rejects 63 percent of her opponent strike attempts.

In the other corner, we have the less established Manon Fiorot. She enters with a 9-1-0 record, having rather comfortably won her past four fights and landing 6.60 significant strikes per minute on a rock-solid 45 percent clip.

Oddsmakers have given the edge to Fiorot. And we have to agree. The speed with which she's able to complete her striking combinations verges on brain-bending. It will serve her well vs. Chookagian.

OSB Prediction: Manon Fiorot

Manon Fiorot To beat Katlyn Chookagian
-190
BetUS

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all of your UFC betting:

Meet the author

Dan Favale

Dan Favale leverages over 12 years of sports journalism expertise in his role as New York staff writer. He provides in-depth analysis across the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, tennis, NASCAR, college basketball, and sports betting. Dan co-hosts the popular Hardwood Knocks NBA podc...

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