TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

DraftKings MMA Preview and UFC DFS Picks: Cormier vs. Gustafsson

Last week was about as perfect as a week as we could have hoped for, as all four of my targets won, and several were in some of the winning tournament lineups across the industry. My "avoid" pick also turned out well, as Gegard Mousasi took a spinning kick to the face to end his night early, along with anyone's who had him for the high price.

This week we have a top-notch card in UFC 192, as Daniel Cormier takes on Alexander Gustafsson. Hopefully we can continue to nail some of the top plays on the weekend!

As usual, I’ve broken down my DraftKings MMA picks into thee sections: Cash game targets, GPP targets and fighters to avoid. I’ll explain what each category signifies below:

  • Cash Game: These fighters are great targets in 50/50 or H2H contests, where 50 percent of the field wins money.
  • GPP: These fighters are great targets in GPPs (Guaranteed Prize Pools) or tournaments, which require riskier selection in order to win first place.
  • Avoid: These are fighters who I will be staying away from.

 

MMA DFS for DraftKings – Cash Game Targets

1. Sage Northcutt (10.5k)

You haven't heard of Sage Northcutt? Well, no biggie, but you probably should know his name heading into UFC 192. Northcutt is a 19-year-old MMA prospect making his UFC debut, and he's got a real chance to be a threat in the division, even if it comes several years down the road.

The kid is a world-champion karate-style striker, but his overall game is more than solid, and he faces a relatively lackluster opponent in Francisco Trevino. Normally I wouldn't jump on someone in his situation, but the pricing is well off on DraftKings.

When salaries were released, Northcutt was a -250 favorite, but he's since climbed to -470, making the biggest favorite on the board and an easy value to target.

 

2. Albert Tumenov (10.3k)

Albert "Einstein" Tumenov will probably be making quite a few appearances in my lineups this weekend, as he gets a tough but solid DFS matchup in Alan Jouban. What I mean by that is Jouban is a good fighter and possess dangerous power in his hands, but Jouban's approach to fighting isn't always the smartest, and he'll probably choose to stand and try to beat Tumenov on the feet.

That's not a great idea.

Tumenov is a super-talented and technical kick boxer, and he's put on impressive performances already in the UFC. I think he'll have the advantage on the feet, and since the fight will should primarily take place on the feet, I expect him to earn a solid amount of points. He has the capability of finishing the fight early, which is great for all formats, but he's also a safe play for the price.

 

MMA DFS for DraftKings – GPP Targets

1. Rose Namajunas  (10.6k)

I've listed Rose Namajunas as one of my favorite GPP plays because I think she has a clear route to a finish. If she doesn't finish this fight against Angela Hill, I'm a little concerned about her point total, and for the price, she might not be worth it.

She'll probably have a decent shot in the stand up, but that's where Hill is at her best, and Namajunas will more than likely look to take the fight to the ground. That's where I think she'll have the true advantage and a great chance to earn a submission.

Namajunas is coming off a poor loss to Carla Esparza in the 115 title fight, and I'm not sure if she'll be heavily targeted. But I do know that she has potential to earn a first round finish, so she's definitely going to be a target of mine.

 

2. Alexander Gustafsson (8.4k)

Whoa, now I'm really going out on a limb here and taking one of the biggest underdogs on the board in Alexander Gustafsson. I actually don't mind Gustafsson in cash, because I think there's a reasonable chance he could get the fight to a decision, and if that's the case, he should more than pay off his 8.4k of salary.

In GPPs you need the win though, and this is more of a gut call, but I think he has a real shot. Yes, Daniel Cormier probably has the overall advantage and certainly has the wrestling advantage, but I'm not as confident as many that Cormier will be able to get the fight to the ground so easily.

I think there's a reasonable chance that Gustafsson can avoid the takedown in a few rounds, and if he can stay on the feet, he should be at a striking advantage. He's so cheap that he allows you to spend up on several fighters, and here's hoping he can pull three rounds out of nowhere and earn a decision victory.

 

MMA DFS for DrafKings – Fighters to Avoid

1. Joseph Benavidez (10.9k)

Joseph Benavidez comes in as the second-most pricey fighter at 10.9k, and he is a -340 favorite. He seems safe for the win, kind of like Mousasi did last week, but I'm just not sure he can pay off the price.

If I'm spending up that high, I want a finish, and I think it's relatively unlikely that Benavidez gets one. His best shot is probably to grab hold of a guillotine against Ali Bagautinov, but submission grappling is also Bagautinov's strong point.

If the fight goes to a decision, I just don't see Benavidez scoring enough. I'd much rather spend the extra $100 to take a chance on Cormier or drop down and save some cap.

 

Hope you enjoy! Follow me on Twitter @BrettAppley and @DailyFanMMA

 

MMA & UFC Live Chat DFS Advice

[iflychat_embed id="c-63" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Bo Horvat

Rejoining Islanders Lineup Saturday
Dylan Holloway

Out Friday
Ross Colton

Won't Play Friday
Filip Chytil

Ready to End Three-Month Absence
Mason McTavish

Misses Second Straight Game Friday
Anthony Stolarz

Returns to Action Friday
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Available Friday
Tyreek Hill

Dolphins Expected to Release Tyreek Hill
Paddy Pimblett

Set For Interim Lightweight Title Fight
Justin Gaethje

An Underdog At UFC 324
Song Yadong

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Sean O'Malley Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Derrick Lewis

Returns At UFC 324
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Philip Rivers

Interviewing for Bills Head-Coaching Job
NFL

Fernando Mendoza Officially Declares for NFL Draft
CFB

Arch Manning Undergoes Foot Surgery
Dalton Kincaid

Played Through Torn PCL
CFB

College Football Playoff Expected to Remain a 12-Team Field in 2026
Duncan Robinson

Listed as Probable Friday Against Houston
Ja'Kobe Walter

to Miss Seventh Straight Game
Collin Murray-Boyles

Uncertain Friday Against Portland
RJ Barrett

Could Return Friday vs. Portland
Myles Turner

Expected to Play Friday vs. Nuggets
Sam Merrill

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday
Quinn Hughes

Makes History With Three-Assist Effort
Bennedict Mathurin

Remains Sidelined vs. Thunder
Anthony Mantha

Scores Twice Against Oilers
Alex Caruso

to Miss Another Game Friday vs. Indiana
Jet Greaves

Keeps Stars Off Scoreboard With 28 Saves
Ajay Mitchell

Won't Play Friday Against Indiana
David Pastrnak

Leads Bruins to Victory With Three-Point Effort
Isaiah Hartenstein

Still Sidelined Friday Against Indiana
Jonathan Huberdeau

on Track to Return Friday
Jonathan Kuminga

Leaves Thursday's Game With Knee Issue
Darcy Kuemper

Cleared for the Weekend
Deni Avdija

Likely Available Friday Despite Back Scare
Zach Benson

Hurt in Thursday's Win
Norman Powell

Ready to Face Trail Blazers
Robert Williams III

Active Thursday Night
Jerami Grant

Sidy Cissoko Cleared to Play
Kawhi Leonard

Returns to Action Thursday
Jrue Holiday

Available Against Heat
Davion Mitchell

Will Miss Thursday's Game
Santi Aldama

Won't Play Friday
Ja Morant

to Skip Friday's Game
Cade Cunningham

Listed as Questionable for Friday
Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Hire Jesse Minter as Their Head Coach
Kris Letang

Questionable Thursday
Andre Burakovsky

Frank Nazar, Andre Burakovsky Available for Blackhawks Thursday
Indianapolis Colts

FBI Investigating the Death of Colts Owner Jim Irsay
Mason Marchment

Available Versus Stars
Alexandre Texier

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Marcus Johansson

Joel Eriksson Ek, Marcus Johansson Could Return Thursday
David Perron

to Miss 5-7 Weeks Due to Hernia Surgery
Mikko Rantanen

Unavailable Thursday
MacKenzie Gore

Rangers Acquire MacKenzie Gore From the Nationals
Brandon Sproat

Dealt to Brewers in Four-Player Trade
Jett Williams

Brewers Acquire Jett Williams From Mets
Freddy Peralta

Mets Acquire Freddy Peralta From Brewers
Kyle Tucker

Expected to Bat Second or Third in Dodgers' Lineup
Brandon Aiyuk

has "Played his Last Snap as a Niner"
Cody Bellinger

Signs Five-Year, $162.5 Million Contract With Yankees
Adam Scott

Looks to Overcome Putting Woes at American Express
Billy Horschel

Looking to Rebound at The American Express
Josh Allen

Might Need Foot Surgery
Russell Henley

Looks to Build on Strong Start at The American Express
Jason Day

Looking to Start 2026 Strong at The American Express
Wyndham Clark

Looking to Regain Form at The American Express
Sam Burns

Looks to Continue Success at The American Express
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at The American Express
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looking to Build on Strong Fall in Season Debut
Kurt Kitayama

Hopes To Continue Strong Start to 2026 Season at American Express
CFB

Princewill Umanmielen Expected to Sign with LSU
Scottie Scheffler

Returns To American Express After Missing Last Year's Edition
Robert MacIntyre

Keeps Momentum Rolling Heading Into American Express
Brian Harman

Can Challenge at American Express if His Putter Stays Hot
Ben Griffin

Outstanding Form Continues Heading Into American Express
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Playing Well Following Outstanding Finish to 2025 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Get a Jump Start on His 2026 Season
Blades Brown

Set to Make First PGA Tour Appearance of 2026
Kevin Roy

Has Some Confidence Heading to Southern California
Min Woo Lee

Poised to Make Bigger Impact in 2026
Max Homa

Needs a Better Start for 2026
Tony Finau

Trying to Reverse Disturbing Trend
Cam Davis

Aims for More Accuracy at American Express
Luisangel Acuña

Luisangel Acuna Sent to White Sox in Trade
Luis Robert Jr.

Mets Acquire Luis Robert Jr. from White Sox
Los Angeles Chargers

Mike McDaniel Expected to Become Chargers Offensive Coordinator
Carlos Beltran

Andruw Jones Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Expected to Land at Georgia Tech
Malik Nabers

Giants Hope Malik Nabers Will be Back for Start of Training Camp
CFB

Duke Suing Quarterback Darian Mensah
Cam Skattebo

Should be Ready by OTAs
George Kittle

Expects to Return "Well Before November"
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Entering Transfer Portal
Mookie Betts

Plans to Retire at the End of his Current Contract
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Robert Saleh as Next Head Coach
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Expected to Hire Jeff Hafley as Next Head Coach
Zach Charbonnet

has Torn ACL
Zach Charbonnet

Needs Knee Surgery, Out for Rest of Playoffs
Tennessee Titans

Mike McCarthy a Finalist for Titans Head-Coaching Job?
Colston Loveland

Suffers Concussion in Divisional Round Loss
Kyren Williams

Scores Two Touchdowns in Divisional Round Win
Buffalo Bills

Bills Fire Head Coach Sean McDermott
Rhamondre Stevenson

Returns in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Ha-Seong Kim

has Finger Surgery, Out 4-5 Months

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP