UFC Vegas 99 Punching Parlay: Hit These Two Moneylines and Cash In!
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David Manyun
- October 17, 2024
UFC Vegas 99 Punching Parlay
- Robelis Despaigne ML (-340)
- Asu Almabayev ML (-190)
UFC Pick: Two-Legged Parlay (+111) at Everygame (visit our Everygame Review)
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Vegas for an action-packed evening of octagon violence, with Michel Pereira and Anthony Hernandez topping the bill. And, of course, I’m here to supplement your UFC parlay betting needs with the perfect parlay selections.
Below are two of my favorite moneyline selections from the UFC Vegas 99 fight card. After thoroughly analyzing these UFC odds and betting markets from top sportsbooks, I think they present the perfect pairing for this week’s edition of the ‘Punching Parlay.’
The highly anticipated Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing showdown is just around the corner next month—make sure to check out the latest betting odds to get the best value before placing your bets.
UFC Vegas 99 Information
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 19, 2024 – 04:00 PM ET
- Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas
- Scheduled Fights: 11
- Main Event: Michel Pereira vs. Anthony Hernandez (UFC Middleweight Bout)
Asu Almabayev vs. Matheus Nicolau
UFC Vegas 99 Flyweight Bout
Almabayev: The Story So Far
During most breakdowns, we can evaluate the good and the bad, but Asu Almabayev’s UFC tenure thus far is the exception. After 22 professional MMA bouts, a decade of active competition, and 20 victorious moments inside the cage, this Kazakhstan has evolved into one of the brightest UFC flyweight prospects, and he has a 16-fight win streak (3-0 UFC) to back it up!
- Almabayev Pro MMA Record: 20-2-0
- Almabayev Knockout Wins: 3
- Almabayev Submission Wins: 9
Nicolau: The Story So Far
You have to feel sorry for Matheus Nicolau. This well-rounded Brazilian standout had collected a five-fight win streak and was one or two wins shy of reaching title contention status. Unfortunately, a two-fight losing streak, highlighted by back-to-back knockouts, questioned his durability and stunted his growth as a 125lb title contender.
- Nicolau Pro MMA Record: 10-0-0
- Nicolau Knockout Wins: 5
- Nicolau Submission Wins: 5
UFC Vegas 99 Almabayev vs. Nicolau: Skillset Breakdown
Despite the recent setbacks, we shouldn’t automatically assume Nicolau is now washed up or any less of a fighter than he was before. The fact of the matter is that he’s going to enter Saturday’s bout as the cleaner, more technical striker, and his grappling and BJJ background, which initially assisted him to the big stage, is an ongoing threat to anyone!
The problem for Nicolau is facing a relentless, pressure-based wrestler who’s incredibly patient and methodical on the ground. He has no problem sitting around on guard, controlling the opposition until they get tired, and as a BJJ black belt, we should have minimal fears of Nicolau catching him with a tricky submission.
Nicolau can excel in this contest in the striking realm, but even then, Almabayev, although he isn’t technically superior, still has fast hands and the ability to throw combinations that lead him into beautiful double-leg takedowns that he’s comfortable shooting all day long!
Almabayev Moneyline Reasoning
I do believe Nicolau is the perfect dance partner to bring Almabayev’s name into the elite of the flyweight division. There’s a world of intriguing matchups ahead, and when you look at the division’s best, they all have elite skills in specific areas of MMA. For Almabayev, it’s his wrestling combined with BJJ that’s truly elite, and he’s so fast, powerful in his takedown attempts, and diverse on the ground with beautiful scrambling abilities that I simply cannot see a world where Nicolau cannot prevent this inevitable offense.
The available UFC odds favor Almabayev, and rightfully so. However, the good news is that he’s reasonably priced for a fighter riding a 16-fight win streak, and trust me, this -190 won’t be so readily available should he walk out victorious this weekend!
UFC Parlay Leg 1: Asu Almabayev ML (-190) at Everygame
Robelis Despaigne vs. Austen Lane
UFC Vegas 99 Heavyweight Bout
Despaigne: The Story So Far
As a former taekwondo Olympic bronze medallist standing 6 feet and 7 inches tall, it was no surprise that Cuba’s Robelis Despaigne effortlessly transitioned to pro-MMA and made an instant impact. Five fights and five knockouts arrived in the first round, including a UFC debut versus Josh Parisian that lasted just 18 seconds.
Despaigne had brutalized his opponents for so long, and, combined with him being a monster of a man, it became evident that he was a potential heavyweight poster boy the UFC could get behind. Unfortunately for Dana White and co., a setback in his last outing exposed the grappling deficiencies in his game that could prevent such a move.
With his return set for this weekend, can the hottest prospect out of Cuba return to his domineering ways? Or will it be another fraud check incoming?
- Despaigne Pro MMA Record: 5-1-0
- Despaigne Knockout Wins: 5
- Despaigne Submission Wins: 0
Lane: The Story So Far
Jaguars, Chiefs, Lions, and Bears… Four teams Austen Lane had played for during his NFL career, and this athletic ability assisted him on the regional MMA scene, where he would collect 10 knockout victories before generating enough buzz to land himself on DWCS, where another knockout and a UFC contract would surface.
Much like Despaigne, the UFC was hoping Lane’s athletic prowess would emerge and create a new star, but sadly, that wasn’t the case. Following a no-contest in his debut, he then sought the rematch, where he was flatlined in round one before returning seven months later in his most recent bout, where he was once again knocked out.
Two brutal knockout losses, and at the age of 36, Saturday’s fight could be his final chance to make a statement, but it might just be too much to ask from a fighter who’s already suffered five knockout defeats during his short seven-year pro tenure.
- Lane Pro MMA Record: 12-5-0
- Lane Knockout Wins: 11
- Lane Submission Wins: 1
UFC Vegas 99 Despaigne vs. Lane: Skillset Breakdown
You know the UFC has faith in a fighter when it signs one with just four fights’ worth of experience, which was the case with Despaigne. And yes, he’s relatively young to MMA, but a lifelong taekwondo background has clearly assisted him during this run.
Last time out, we witnessed the key issue: his ability to return to a standing position once grounded. However, he wasn’t awful on the ground to the point where he was finished, and fortunately for him, his next opponent didn’t have the cardio or top control to keep this fight in such a position.
I do expect Lane’s game plan to be a wrestling one… We’ve seen him wrestle before and be successful, but he’s wild on the ground and often seeks the finish. With Depaigne’s explosiveness and sheer athletic ability, he should find it easier to return to the feet, and this is where Lane will run into some serious problems.
Despaigne Moneyline Reasoning
Much like Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis, Despaigne has the punch of death. He only needs one to connect, and for all of Lane’s erratic in-cage behavior and defensive striking concerns, I have no doubt he’ll give the Cuban a few opportunities to shut the lights out.
Ultimately, both fighters are quite reckless on their feet. Still, one man, Despaigne, holds so much force behind his punches that anyone willing to risk a striking exchange without sufficient boxing knowledge or heavy wrestling abilities will suffer.
The available UFC odds favor Despaigne, and I’m not surprised. This fight feels like a layup for the Cuban, and I expect him to take full advantage of it by handing Lane his third straight knockout defeat.
UFC Parlay Leg 2: Robelis Despaigne ML (-340) at Everygame
The Parlay
- Robelis Despaigne ML (-340)
- Asu Almabayev ML (-190)
UFC Pick: Two-Legged Parlay (+111) at Everygame
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
