UFC 257 Will Draw Lots Of Betting Action From Indian MMA Fans On Jan 24

Indian sports fans have had their fair share of excitement watching India take on Australia across multiple formats during the last couple of months. The series down has come to an end, and Indian sports fans will now turn their attention to the next big sporting event, UFC 257.

McGregor To Headline UFC 257

The first pay-per-view card for the premier MMA organization in the world will take place on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi on Jan 24. The biggest star’s return will headline the Main Event in MMA – ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor.

Whenever McGregor fights, MMA fans from all over the world tune in, and even non-MMA fans are the appeal of the Irish superstar. McGregor has a massive fan following in India who has a very fast-growing MMA fan base.

Conor McGregor is returning to action after being out of the Octagon for nearly a year. He will face the number one contender in the UFC lightweight division in Dustin Poirier. This is the second time that the two fighters will face each other. The first time they fought was back in 2014, and both of them fought at featherweight.

McGregor won that fight in under two minutes and is confident that he will finish Poirier again in the first round. McGregor is the betting favorite with odds of 4/11 vs. Poirier, who has 9/4.

UFC President Dana White told the media last week that he is excited to see McGregor back in the Octagon as ‘Conor McGregor’ looks like the old Conor McGregor who was fully committed and focused on making a statement in the Octagon.

While bookmakers have McGregor as the favorite, please don’t write off Dustin Poirier as he is a completely different fighter from 2014. Poirier has promised not to let McGregor get under his skin during this fight.

Poirier will have to use his ground game and his stand up to have a chance to beat McGregor. If he relies solely on striking, he could fall short as McGregor is the most dangerous when in striking distance. We would take a chance and put our money on McGregor.

Hooker vs. Chandler

The co-main event is another exciting clash in the lightweight division when Kiwi Dan Hooker takes on Michael Chandler. Indian MMA fans have seen a lot of Dan Hooker as he has been involved in some absolute wars in fights against Paul Felder, Edson Barboza and Dustin Poirier.

However, they would not have seen a lot of Michael Chandler as he is scheduled to fight for the first time in the UFC. Chandler was a massive start in Bellator and has been drafted into the UFC to make the lightweight division more interesting. Chandler has good striking, but his biggest weapon will probably be his wrestling.

Bookmakers have Hooker as the favorite with odds of 8/11 and Chandler as the underdog with odds of 11/10. Chandler’s best chance at winning is to take Hooker to the ground and try and submit him. We would go with Hooker for this fight.

Main Card Fights

The Main Card also has several exciting fights. The undefeated Moroccan Ottman Azaitar (4/7) takes on the dangerous Matt Frevola (6/4) at lightweight in what could turn out to be a short fight as both fighters throw bombs. We would go with Azaitar.

You will also see two fights in the women’s division when Jessica Eye (1/1) faces Joanne Calderwood (4/5) at flyweight and Brazilians Marina Rodriguez (5/2) and Amanda Ribas (3/10) fight at strawweight.

Prelim Fights Exciting Fights 4

The UFC has stacked the first PPV card of the year with several exciting fights. If you are looking for a slugfest, check out the middleweight clash between veteran Andrew Sanchez (11/10) and Makhmud Muradov (8/11). This fight will headline the early prelims.

There are three exciting fights on the preliminary card that will feature Sara McMann’s return, who has been out of action for some time. McMann (4/5) will take on Julianna Pena (1/1), and you can expect this match to play out on the ground as both have a great ground game.

Hawaiian Brad Tavares (5/8) will take on the dangerous Brazilian Antonio Carlos Junior (13/10) in a middleweight clash. Headlining the prelims will be the impressive Arman Tsarukyan (4/9) vs. who will take on Nasrat Haqparast (15/8).

We would bet on McMann, Carlos Junior and Tsarukyan as all three have an incredible ground game and can win by submission.