UFC Vegas 84 Odds, Under Dogs And Best Bets!

Before jetting off to the Great White North for next week’s UFC 297, the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion kicks off its 2024 combat sports campaign with another show inside its APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, headlined by a pair of rematches.

Former Light Heavyweight title challenger Magomed Ankalaev battles Johnny Walker in UFC Vegas 84’s main event (again), while Manel Kape and Matheus Nicolau settle their own unfinished business one fight prior.

Lost some scratch on Washington the other day? Looking to beef up your wallet for NFL’s upcoming playoff season? Read on and let’s get you into shape …

What Went Wrong at UFC 296?

Everything.

I said “let’s get reckless” and I got reckless … and it failed. And a good chunk of them got straight-up smoked. Indeed, Karol Rosa and Dustin Jacoby had the reads, but failed to keep their momentum; meanwhile, Leon Edwards, Andre Fili and Alexandre Pantoja did their jobs.

Whatever. New year, new slate.

UFC Vegas 84 Odds For The Undercard:

Waldo Cortes-Acosta (-625) vs. Andrei Arlovski (+455)

Not touching this one with odds like that. Cortes-Acosta should not be a 6:1 favorite over anyone but the absolute bottom of the Heavyweight barrel. And while Arlovski’s had his struggles lately, he’s still a skilled spoiler fighting a fundamentally flawed slugger.

Matthew Semelsberger (-135) vs. Preston Parsons (+114)

Try a smidge on Parsons. Semelsberger has lost three of his last four bouts and showed grievous grappling deficiencies against Jeremiah Wells, who managed more than 10 minutes of top control despite arguably going unconscious at least once.

Marcus McGhee (-250) vs. Gaston Bolanos (+205)

Try a bit on McGhee, who’s the more consistent operator and has heaps of momentum, but don’t go nuts. Bolanos still has an excellent striking pedigree and laser-guided spinning elbows at his disposal.

Farid Basharat (-285) vs. Taylor Lapilus (+230)

This is a -150/+130 sort of fight, not the absolute wipeout these lines suggest. Lapilus is Basharat’s best opponent to date, possessing both the takedown defense to shut down Basharat’s all-important grappling and the long-range striking to hold his own on the feet. “Double Impact” is worth a flyer at the very least.

Jean Silva (-900) vs. Westin Wilson (+600)

I mean, fair enough — Wilson’s not UFC-worthy and already got blown up by a lesser fighter than Silva in Teruto Ishihara. Betting on -900 just feels like asking for it, though.

Tom Nolan (-325) vs. Nikolas Motta (+260)

As best as I can tell, Motta’s done as an elite fighter. He needed confidence in his offense to make up for his porous defense and he seems to have lost it after that horrific knockout loss to Manuel Torres. Nolan’s bigger, younger, heavier-handed and aggressive enough to mow down “Iron” inside the first five minutes.

Joshua Van (-238) vs. Felipe Bunes (+195)

As I mentioned in the “Prelims” piece, Van’s proclivity for slow starts is worrying, but his striking outclasses Bunes by such a significant margin that he’s worth a look regardless. Van’s boxing is more versatile and powerful than Bunes,’ and the Brazilian’s wrestling doesn’t look sufficient to take Van out of his comfort zone.

UFC Vegas 84 Odds For The Main Card:

Magomed Ankalaev (-455) vs. Johnny Walker (+350)

Betting on Johnny Walker fights is just asking for trouble.

Manel Kape (-258) vs. Matheus Nicolau (+210)

Nicolau was very fortunate to get past Kape the first time, and between Nicolau’s recent knockout loss and Kape’s increased willingness to let his hands go, I don’t see him being fortunate a second time. “Starboy” is your man here.

Jim Miller (-120) vs. Gabriel Benitez (EVEN)

I’m with Old Man Miller here. Benitez hasn’t scored what I’d call a good win since at least 2018 and has three (technical) knockout losses in his last six fights.

Ricky Simon (-180) vs. Mario Bautista (+150)

Try a bit on Simon, as Bautista has been increasingly reliant on wrestling lately, but struggled to deal with Da’Mon Blackshear’s grappling offense in the early going. Just be aware that Simon can get clipped.

Brunno Ferreira (-130) vs. Phil Hawes (+110)

Way, way too volatile to merit an investment. Neither man takes a great shot, and while Hawes does have the edge in everything but raw power, the same could be said about Gregory “Robocop” … and Ferreira still flatlined him.

UFC Vegas 84 Best Bets

• Single bet — Preston Parsons: Bet $40 to make $45.60
• Single bet — Taylor Lapilus: Bet $40 to make $92
• Parlay — Tom Nolan and Josh Van: Bet $80 to make $68.57
• Single bet — Jim Miller: Bet $50 to make $41.66
• Parlay — Manel Kape and Ricky Simon: Bet $50 to make $57.92

UFC Vegas 84 is a weird card, no doubt, but I suppose there are worse ways to start a year. See you Saturday, Maniacs.

Initial Investment For 2024: $600
Initial Investment For 2023: $600
April Bailout: $400
August Bailout: $500
Current Total: $744.55

LIVE! Stream UFC Vegas 84 On ESPN+

TOP-RANKED LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT REMATCH! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) kicks off its 2024 mixed martial arts (MMA) campaign on Sat., Jan. 20, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, with No. 3-ranked Light Heavyweight contender, Magomed Ankalaev, running it back against No. 7-seeded Johnny Walker after their initial wild encounter went up in smoke. In UFC Vegas 84’s co-main event, Lightweight legend, Jim Miller, locks horns with upstart knockout artist, Gabriel Benitez, in an intriguing 155-pound showdown.

Don’t miss a single second of face-punching action!

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 84 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance (also on ESPN+) at 7 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 84: “Ankalaev vs. Walker 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.