UFC
UFC 251 Betting Odds: Jorge Masvidal Is Betting Big on Himself Against Kamaru Usman, Should You?
Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies. When Jack isn't writing about sports, he's watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He's also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.
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After Gilbert Burns dropped out of the UFC 251 main event because of a positive COVID-19 test, many wondered whether Kamaru Usman would even get a chance to defend his welterweight title. Thankfully, Jorge Masvidal stepped up to take Burns’ place and keep the headliner alive. Vegas oddsmakers seem to think Burns would’ve given Usman a better fight, as Usman soared to a bigger favorite after the replacement. So, what are the new betting odds for the UFC 251 main event this Saturday?
Kamaru Usman opened as a -290 favorite against Jorge Masvidal for UFC 251
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Ahead of the much-anticipated title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns, Usman stood as a -240 favorite. After Jorge Masvidal took Burns’ place, Usman shot up to a -290 favorite. That means a $290 bet on Usman would net you $100 in profit if he wins Saturday.
Vegas oddsmakers seem to think Burns had a better chance of defeating Usman than Masvidal does. Masvidal comes in as a +225 underdog, meaning a $100 bet would net you $225.
Over the last week, money has been coming in steady on the underdog Masvidal. Usman is now down to a -245 favorite, a 45-cent drop from the opening line. The public is loading up on Masvidal, so much so that one online sportsbook said 85% of the main event bets they’ve taken have been on the underdog.
Kamaru Usman is favored to beat Jorge Masvidal by decision
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If you want to get more specific with your action on Saturday night, you can wager on the method of victory for the title fight. Every option from Usman by decision to Masvidal by submission is available to choose from.
Usman is favored to win the bout by decision in the title bout. The odds for each method of victory are as follows:
- Usman by KO/TKO: (+220)
- Usman by Points: (+160)
- Usman by Submission: (+1200)
- Masvidal by KO/TKO: (+460)
- Masvidal by Points: (+700)
- Masvidal by Submission: (+1800)
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can even bet on the fight to end in a draw at +5000 odds. A $10 bet on the draw would net $500!
Jorge Masvidal is placing a large bet on himself to upset Kamaru Usman
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The public seems to like Masvidal’s chances Saturday night, and so does Masvidal himself. Earlier this week, the American said he couldn’t wait to make a wager on his own fight at UFC 251.
“It’s get paid time baby,” Masvidal told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. “You know what that means? You know your boy’s a gambler. I gamble on myself more than anything other in this world. Shoutout to those oddsmakers, thank you, I appreciate this payday. Thank you.”
Now that’s confidence.
Obviously, every UFC athlete has supreme confidence in their ability to win every fight, so take Masvidal’s strong words with a grain of salt. But if he’s right, he can make his backers very happy.
All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
