[UFC 300](https://m.betking.com/sports/events/prematch/mma/ufc/ufc-300-pereira-vs-hill) is shaping up to be the ultimate MMA showdown, and fans are buzzing with excitement. For months, some of the sport’s greatest names like Israel Adesanya, Conor McGregor, and Kamaru Usman were all rumoured to be part of the event, but UFC CEO, Dana White went a different route and has put together an impressive scorecard. Ahead of this historic event, White has also announced that the bonus for each fighter will be $300k, a significant increase from the usual $50k. Here at BetKing, we are committed to being the best betting site in Nigeria, and to ensure you make a lot of money this weekend, just like these fighters, we’ve put together a comprehensive preview of this event, while sharing some betting tips featuring the best odds available. Our picks to win at UFC 300: - Alex Pereira (w) - Weili Zhang (w) - Justin Gaethje (w) - Arman Tsarukyan (w) - Sodiq Yussuf (w) - Kayla Harrison (w) Why? Read on below!
**Alex Pereira (c) vs. Jamahal Hill - (Light Heavyweight** Jamahal Hill makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon after an absence since January 2023, aiming to reclaim the title he was forced to relinquish. Having defeated Glover Teixeira at UFC 283, Hill suffered an Achilles injury a few months later and vacated the championship. In his absence, Alex Pereira made the most of his opportunity when he defeated Jiri Prochazka in the second round at UFC 295 to become champion. Having previously defeated Israel Adesanya to become Middleweight Champion back in 2022, the victory over Prochazka saw Pereira join an elite group of just nine fighters to have won championships in multiple divisions. If you’re into strikers, this is a dream fight for you. Both Jamahal Hill and Alex Pereira are lethal strikers and specialize in knocking out their opponents. Hill averages an impressive 7.31 Significant Strikes per Minute with a 54% accuracy rate, while Pereira lands slightly fewer strikes at 5 per minute but with a higher accuracy rate of 62%. However, Hill’s time away from the Octagon might be a significant factor in this fight. With a 15-month absence, it could be challenging for him to regain his title in his first fight back, especially considering the potential rust and uncertainties regarding his mobility after his injury. On the other hand, Pereira seems to be at the peak of his game. Over the past two years, he has claimed two belts across two divisions, boasting a record of 6-1 and solidifying his status as one of the sport’s legends. We believe he’ll retain the title in Vegas.
**Weili Zhang (c) vs. Yan Xiaonan - (Women Strawweight)** Weili Zhang will go head-to-head with fellow Chinese fighter Yan Xiaonan, marking the first-ever all-Chinese championship bout in UFC history. Both fighters are coming into this matchup with confidence, given their impressive recent performances. They boast identical records of 8 wins and 2 losses in their last 10 fights, with Zhang securing victories in her last three bouts and Xiaonan triumphing in her last two. While Xiaonan has been at UFC for longer than her compatriot, Zhang’s rise has been faster. Xiaonan has never won a title in her career, and at 34, will feel that this is a golden chance she cannot afford to let slip away. Weili Zhang has had a much more decorated career, having been crowned Strawweight Champion five times; twice in the UFC and thrice in the Kunlun Fight over in China. Her last fight against Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 was one for the history books as she successfully defended her title in Boston. She landed the most Total Strikes in a UFC Women’s Strawweight bout (296), with 225 of those being Ground Strikes, also a UFC record in a women’s Strawweight bout. That fight also featured the largest striking differential in a women’s fight in UFC history with Zhang landing 288 while Lemos landed a mere 21. Honestly, it was a miracle Amanda Lemos was still standing after the fight, and it came as no surprise when Zhang won by a unanimous decision. Zhang is a fighter at the peak of her powers, and we expect her to successfully defend her title.
**Justin Gaethje (c) vs. Max Holloway - (Lightweight)** The BMF title will be on the line when Justin “Highlight” Gaethje and former featherweight king, Max “Blessed” Holloway step into the Octagon in Vegas. This title, which means “Baddest Mother-*expletive*”, is one of the most coveted in the UFC as it symbolizes the epitome of toughness, skill and swagger. Justin Gaethje defeated Dustin Poirier in UFC 291 to claim the title in what was the Performance of the Night. He knocked out Poirier early in the Second Round to record yet another KO win - the 20th of his 25 career wins. Gaethje continuously lives up to his nickname (the Highlight) but, while he’s known for making “light work” of his opponents, he faces a Max Holloway who is renowned for his endurance and ability to go the distance in fights. The “Blessed” nickname adopted by Max Holloway may be a lot meeker than “the Highlight”, but make no mistake, Holloway is as tough as they come. Three of his last four wins have earned him the Fight of the Night, and his 53% Takedown Accuracy is something worth keeping an eye on against Gaethje, who loves to keep the fight vertical. Indeed, this brings us to a significant contrast between the two fighters. While Holloway has a tendency to take fights the distance, with eight of his last nine bouts reaching that point, Gaethje typically doesn’t share the same sentiment. He’s known for his explosive style and finishes, often favoring knockout victories over prolonged battles. This difference in approach adds an intriguing dynamic to Saturday’s clash. That said, in recent times, Holloway has been accused of faltering when the light is brightest. Each of his last four losses have come when a title is on the line; thrice to Alexander Volkanovski for the Featherweight Championship and once to Dustin Poirier for the Lightweight Championship. The BMF is on the line this weekend and, quite honestly, it’s hard to make a case for Hollaway being enough of a BMF to win this.
**Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan - (Lightweight)** Although this bout may not be for a title, the stakes couldn’t be higher as the winner will earn a shot at Islam Makhachev’s Lightweight Championship title. Charles Oliveira was originally slated to face Makhachev for the second time at UFC 294, but an injury sidelined him for the Abu Dhabi event. Oliveira boasts an impressive record, having won 12 of his last 13 fights, with his only loss during this period coming against Makhachev in 2022. Arman Tsarukyan has a similar narrative. After losing his UFC debut to Makhachev in 2019, he has rebounded strongly, winning 8 of his last 9 fights, including his last 3 in a row. Tsarukyan is a multifaceted threat, with a diverse arsenal of skills that make him tough to plan against. Of his 21 career victories, 9 have come by knockout, 5 via submission, and 7 through decision. While Oliveira may possess more experience, Tsarukyan’s superior defensive capabilities, particularly his impressive 75% Takedown Defense, could prove pivotal in this matchup. Against a submission specialist like Oliveira, Tsarukyan’s ability to thwart takedowns could indeed be the deciding factor in Vegas.
**Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes - (Featherweight)** Ibadan-born Sodiq Yusuff had an impressive start to life in the UFC, but has been accused of choking on the biggest stage after losing two of the most important matches of his career; first to Arnold Allen in 2021 and then to Edson Barboza in the main event of UFC Fight Night this past October. Diego Lopes, meanwhile, has won fans over in a short time, and is the heavy favourite heading into the weekend. A spirited loss by the judges’ decision on his debut (to Movsar Evloev) was followed by two first round wins over Gavin Tucker (via submission) and Pat Sabatini (via KO). Yusuff is one of the biggest and strongest Featherweights on the roster. Armed with some tough punching-power and a diverse kickboxing skill set, he excels at managing distance, a skill that helps in both setting up takedowns and defending against opponents’ shots. Lopes, however, possesses a rare combination of size and physicality for a Featherweight, allowing him to match Yusuff in these aspects. He looks to take advantage of those attributes immediately, charging his opposition with aggressive flurries of knockout strikes and wild submission attempts. So, needless to say, this will be one fight to keep an eye on in the Preliminary Card. With an opportunity to break into the Top 15 of their division, our bet of the day leans towards Yusuff’s calculated approach prevailing over Lopes’ impressive but erratic style.
**Holly Holm vs. Kayla Harrison - (Women Bantamweight)** Sheesh! Where do we start? Holly Holm may be 42 years old, but The Preacher’s Daughter can still dish out beatings. The former Bantamweight Champion gained popularity when she handed Ronda Rousey the first defeat of her career in UFC 193 back in 2015. Sadly, Holm didn’t exactly live up to expectations after that famous win as she would lose 5 of her next 7 fights. Since 2020, however, she has rebounded with 3 wins in 5 fights, with one of her two losses overturned to a No-Contest after Mayra Bueno Silva tested positive for Ritalinic Acid. Despite her experience and resilience, Holm may face an uphill battle in Vegas. Kayla Harrison will make her UFC debut this weekend, but make no mistake, the 33-year-old has a lot of experience. She’s a two-time Olympic Gold Medallist, having picked up wins for the United States in London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 in the 78 KG Judo category. She has 45 wins in Judo and, since making the jump to MMA, she has won an outstanding 16 of her 17 fights. Holly Holm has her work cut out for her. Did we mention Kayla Harrison has two Olympic Gold Medals?
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