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Top UFC 280 Parlay Picks: Will Oliveira Rise Above Makhachev?

Kyle Smith

Last Updated: October 21, 2022 1:16 PM EDT • 2 min 51 sec read.

The UFC has put together a ridiculously stacked card for its return to Abu Dhabi on Saturday, with the event featuring title fights in both the lightweight and bantamweight divisions. Read on for our top UFC 280 parlay picks

Charles Oliveira still managed to lay waste to Justin Gaethje after a weigh-in fiasco that cost him the lightweight strap at UFC 274. He survived some early trouble before flooring Gaethje with a devastating right hand and finishing him with a rear-naked choke.

The triumph proved “Do Bronx” was still the kingpin at 155 pounds. He’ll look to recapture the physical title against terrifying combat sambo specialist Islam Makhachev in the main event on Saturday.

Speaking of former champions, T.J. Dillashaw’s quest to reach the top of the bantamweight mountain could come to a conclusion on Saturday when he faces current division overlord Aljamain Sterling. Fresh off a razor-thin decision over former champion Petr Yan, Sterling can cement his place atop the division with a win over Dillashaw.

Yan is in action on Saturday too while squaring off with the talented but unproven Sean O’Malley in a 135-pound title eliminator.

Let's dive in with our top parlay picks for UFC 280 (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

UFC 280 Card and Odds

(Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook)

  • Charles Oliveira (+160) vs. Islam Makhachev (-190)
  • Aljamain Sterling (-175) vs. T.J. Dillashaw (+150)
  • Petr Yan (-265) vs. Sean O’Malley (+225)
  • Beneil Dariush (+160) vs. Mateusz Gamrot (-190)
  • Katlyn Chookagian ((+180) vs. Manon Fiorot (-210)
  • Belal Muhammad (+115) vs. Sean Brady (-135)
  • Makhmud Muradov (+175) vs. Caio Borralho (-205)
  • Volkan Oezdemir (+150) vs. Nikita Krylov (-175)
  • Abubakar Nurmagomedov (-165) vs. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (+140)
  • Armen Petrosyan (-205) vs. AJ Dobson (+175)
  • Malcolm Gordon (+750)vs. Muhammad Mokaev (-1150)
  • Karol Rosa (-330) vs. Lina Lansberg (+275)

Top UFC 280 Parlay Picks

Sbr Betting TicketParlay Three Picks

Top UFC 280 Parlay Predictions

Oliveira to win (+136) ★★★★

“Do Bronx” wants his crown. The ultimate underdog, Oliveira rode his status to the lightweight title, crafting one of MMA’s finest resumes while leaving a trail of battered 155-pounders in his wake.

Makhachev’s stout wrestling and unforgiving top control won’t give Oliveira pause. The Brazilian is the most prolific finisher in UFC history, and he's extremely dangerous everywhere the fight goes. He’s the better, busier, and more polished striker, and Oliveira is a good enough grappler and scrambler to survive against Makhachev on the floor.

There hasn't been an opponent of Oliveira's caliber in the Octagon with him yet, and that’ll be clear on Saturday. Don’t expect the Russian to fold faster than Superman on laundry day, but Oliveira is a bridge too far at this point.

Back Oliveira to win, and if you’re feeling brave, take the finish (Oliveira any finish is +130 throughout DraftKings Sportsbook).

Check out our UFC 280 best bets

Brady by points (+140) ★★★★

Brady’s march toward welterweight gold continues at UFC 280, and he's now poised to burst into the top five at 170 pounds. Facing an extremely tough test in Muhammad, Brady will need to use his ace grappling to emerge victorious against (the ridiculously nicknamed) “Remember the Name.” 

Brady is averaging more than three takedowns per fight. I expect him to eventually drag Muhammad to the mat, where he’ll use heavy top control to grind his opponent down over 15 minutes.

However, Brady won't earn the finish. Muhammad is notoriously tough, and his bouts often break down into sluggish wars of attrition. Eight of Brady’s 15 wins have come via decision, and two of Muhammad’s losses have gone the distance. This one will go to the judges' scorecards, with Brady getting his hand raised.

Yan to win (-265) ★★★★

“No Mercy” will derail the O’Malley hype train.

Facing Yan as his maiden foray into the division’s top 10 is a ridiculous step up for O’Malley. Sure, it’s a well-calculated risk considering he could get an immediate title shot with a win. But Yan exists on a completely different level compared to O’Malley’s previous competition.

Yan is a dangerous striker who will look to violently find a home for his vicious kicks on O’Malley’s legs and ribs. Even if O’Malley starts getting the advantage while standing up, Yan possesses sneaky offensive wrestling. Yan can drag this bout to the ground if he ever finds himself in danger. 

Quite simply, Yan is the superior fighter no matter how this fight unfolds. Bet accordingly.

Check out out Oliveira-Makhachev picks

Where to Bet on UFC 280 Parlay Picks

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook
PointsBet
BetMGM

UFC 280 parlay picks made 10/21/2022 at 3:53 p.m. ET

Written By:
Kyle Smith
A sportswriter for more than a decade, Kyle Smith was once voted “World’s 78th Greatest Lover” by ‘Relatively Attractive People Magazine’.* After covering nearly every sport under the sun for theScore, Smith settled in as head MMA writer where he helped shape the company’s coverage and establish its combat sports identity. Since then, he’s dipped his toes (cannonballed) into the world of betting, where he specializes in the UFC and NHL. Constantly chasing that gigantic Parlay Dragon, Smith was devastated when a Leon Edwards head kick completely obliterated a recent five-leg parlay. You can read his rantings and ravings on Twitter @Heldrificus. *Not a real publication.