LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 10: (L-R) Opponents Charles Oliveira of Brazil and Dustin Poirier face … [+]
Fight night has arrived on the Las Vegas Strip featuring 14 bouts on UFC 269 at T-Mobile Arena. The main card has five events and is headlined by the lightweight championship fight between Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier and Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira.
That big bout is at 9:30 p.m. local PT in Las Vegas, or 12:30 a.m. ET for those up late watching the fights on the East Coast. The fight just before Poirier and Oliveira is the other championship bout on the card between MMA legend Amanda Nunes and big underdog Julianna Pena in the bantamweight division.
FanDuel Sportsbook opened Poirier a -164 favorite over Oliveira. But as the fight nears, Poirier is down to a -136 favorite with underdog Oliveira (+116) gaining more money and support.
FanDuel also offers odds boosts on underdog Charles Oliveira as well, so a $100 bet on Oliveira wins $160 instead of $116.
How to Watch UFC 269
UFC 269 is an official pay per view event, but you can watch UFC 269 online through ESPN+.
Early preliminary fights start at 6:15pm ET / 3:15pm PT, followed by the prelims and undercard at 8pm ET / 5pm PT.
The UFC 269 main card, featuring Oliveira vs. Poirier begins at 10 pm ET / 7pm PT.
Betting Odds for UFC 269
Click on any of the fights below to see a full betting preview with odds and predictions, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Updated odds are listed above and are subject to change.
Both Poirier and Oliveira are 32 years old and have been fighting professionally 12-13 years. Oliveira (31-8) has 9 KO’s and 19 submissions. Poirier (28-6) has 7 KO’s and 14 submissions.
“Oliveira is the superior grappler and wrestler, and a highly technical striker who has a variety of methods to get his opponents to the mat,” notes Sean Zerillo of the Action Network.
But Poirier is incredibly well rounded, and he’s beaten the best in the sport. The Louisiana native has the statistical edge on the feet, and lands 1.29 more strikes than he takes every minute. That’s significantly more than Oliveira’s 0.29, but Oliveira is so dangerous, and the Brazilian MMA artist will try to take Poirier to the mat and maul him.
The Pick and Winner of Poirier and Oliveira
This looks like a balanced and entertaining lightweight fight. There are many ways to bet the fight beyond the moneyline. FanDuel offers method of victory, round and time props and how the fight will end (KO/TKA -130, Submission +220, Points +330).
I turned to sports betting colleague and sharp sports bettor Brian Steinberg, known as Sherwood, for some insight on the big bout. You can read additional analysis of the Poirier and Oliveira fight, along with former Alabama linebacker Eryk Anders as he fights for the upset over Andre Muniz in the early preliminary card middleweight bout.
Sherwood is suggesting a win by Poirier (Inside the Distance) over Oliveira at +115 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.
“Poirier has been on a near five-year tear that has seen him beat the best the sport has seen,” Sherwood says. That includes Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alverez, Max Holloway and yes, Conor McGregor.
“Oddsmakers do not figure this one will go the five-round distance (-450), and neither do we,” Sherwood adds. “With that in mind, the prudent play here is to back Dustin Poirier to finish this fight and take home the 155 lbs crown officially.”
No interim titles, no BS. Dude’s time has come. Like it or not, “The Diamond” is about to get his due.
You can bet on it.