The UFC returns once again to the center stage on busy sports Saturday. The day will feature MLB action, NHL and NBA playoffs, the Kentucky Derby, and will be capped off by UFC 288 in the evening.
The event will take place in Newark, New Jersey and the biggest headline is the return of Henry Cejudo. With multiple title challengers coming out to show what they can do, let’s take a look at the three best bets to make at BetAnySports Sportsbook this weekend.
UFC 288 Sterling vs. Cejudo Odds at BetAnySports.eu: Cejudo -125
One of the most anticipated fights of the night will be the main event where Cejudo will make his return. He “retired” after his win over Dominick Cruz in 2020 but he’s back to see if he can continue his dominance of the Bantamweight Division.
Nowadays, it’s Sterling who is carrying the title, which he’s been able to defend for the past 14 months. He’s picked up three wins in that span and overall, has won eight straight.
Henry Cejudo is certainly going to have his work cut out for him. Even though he’s been off for a while, he’s still won six straight. Three of those six fights were TKO stoppages. Cejudo is confident and competent, but Sterling is someone in this division who might be on his level. He offers good value as a dog.
Pick: Sterling
Belal Muhammad vs. Gilbert Burns Odds at BetAnySports.eu: Burns -130
We weren’t expecting to see Belal Muhammed take on Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 but all that’s changed recently. The two fighters saw this bout come together just a few weeks ago and could very well determine which fighter in the welterweight division can become a title challenger.
Muhammad has won four straight fights, finding a way to hand Sean Brady his first loss in his career in the last fight that he appeared in.
Now, he’ll have to prepare for Burns after he took down Jorge Masvidal at UFC 287. There haven’t been many fighters competing in back-to-back pay-per-view UFC events like Burns is going to do. However, he hardly broke a sweat against Masvidal and is happy to step in here. Another win for Burns could mean that he’s at the top of the contenders’ list in the division. He’s the better play here as he has momentum.
Pick: Burns
Movsar Evloev vs. Diego Lopes Odds at BetAnySports.eu: Evloev -825
Movsar Evloev and Bryce Mitchell were supposed to face off all the way back in November of 2022 and again this Saturday, but it’s off once again. Mitchell had to bow out and now Diego Lopes steps in. Clearly, the odds are not in his favor here. Evloev will be looking to improve his record to a clean 17-0. The former M-1 Global bantamweight champ has earned six straight decision wins in the UFC.
Meanwhile, Lopes is making his UFC debut.
He last competed in the Lux League. It’s hard to get excited about him as he’s just 10-8 overall. On top of that, he’s stepping in on short notice. He gets kudos for that but he’s very likely looking at a loss here.
Pick: Evloev By Decision
