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UFC 251 is finally here. Resonating from Yas (Fight) Island in Abu Dhabi, the promotion has faced many hurdles in addition to taking extra precautions to make this event happen. For weeks leading up to the card, current welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, was originally slotted to battle Gilbert Burns. However, after Burns, along with his brother and cornerman, tested positive for the infamous COVID-19 virus, a title defense from Usman was in jeopardy. Luckily for fight fans, Jorge Masvidal and the promotion were able to come to terms on a monetary agreement after he expressed his displeasure regarding his compensation with the company. As a result, Usman will now defend the strap against Masvidal in a main event that is sure to deliver, regardless of what happens.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy MMA lineup picks for FanDuel for UFC 251 on 7/11/2020. You can check out our DraftKings MMA DFS picks as well. These DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced fighters and value picks on FanDuel.
Give me a follow on Twitter @DennisMClausen. Good luck.
FanDuel MMA Welterweight - UFC DFS Lineup Picks
Kamaru Usman, $22 - vs. Jorge Masvidal
In one of the most anticipated mixed martial arts bouts of all time, Usman will defend his welterweight title for the second time. After defeating Tryon Woodly for the championship at UFC 235, the Nigerian handled Colby Covington by TKO at UFC 245. He is undefeated inside the octagon throughout his tenure as a fighter and poses a serious threat to Masvidal, who has been red-hot.
Masvidal will enter this fight having won his previous three fights, with his latest victory coming at the expense of Nate Diaz. He won three bouts in 2019 and has a solid opportunity to dethrone Usman as the king of the welterweight division.
These guys match up well in the vertical game. They both land over four significant strikes per minute, with Usman maintaining the edge by a small margin. However, Masvidal absorbs more blows per minute (4.18), making this an intriguing fight, to say the least.
If anyone is going to go to the mat, it will likely be Masvidal. Usman averages nearly 3.5 takedowns per 15 minutes and is perfect as it pertains to his takedown defense. While this bout has a chance to hit the octagon floor, it is more likely these men will remain standing to trade blows, with Usman potentially winning this fight by decision.
FanDuel MMA Flyweight - UFC DFS Lineup Picks
Amanda Ribas, $20 - vs. Paige VanZant
VanZant is entering the final fight, at least for now, of her contract with the promotion. While she has had success in other ventures outside the sport, she hasn't been as fortunate inside the confines of the octagon. Dating back to 2015, the 26-year-old has maintained a 2-3 record. She won her last bout, which took place in January of 2019, against Rachael Ostovich via submission and will look to end her career on a high note.
The former Dancing with the Stars competitor will have her hands full, nonetheless, against Ribas. The Brazilian has won her previous three fights under the UFC umbrella, and this will be her fourth bout in a little over a year. She has been extremely active while also looking to climb the rankings.
Ribas outperforms VanZant in several areas. She lands nearly five significant strikes per minute, sports an 85 percent takedown defense (compared to 35 percent for VanZant), and averages over two takedowns per bout. It isn't hard to imagine this one heading to the mat, setting up a possible submission victory for the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt.
FanDuel MMA Bantamweight - UFC DFS Lineup Picks
Petr Yan, $19 - vs. Joe Aldo
In a bout to crown a new 135-pound champion, Yan and Aldo will mix it up at UFC 251. While Aldo's career appears to be heading in the wrong direction, Yan's couldn't be brighter. He has an undefeated record in the organization, with his most recent victory coming at the expense of Urijah Faber (KO) at UFC 245 at the end of 2019. The Russian is a brutal puncher, averaging over 5.5 significant strikes per minute.
Though Aldo has made a career out of ending fights quickly, he isn't as devastating as he used to be. Aldo has lost his last two bouts, falling to Alexander Volkanovski and Marlon Moraes by decision in those fights. In his last eight matchups, he's won just three times. A loss here could be his final strike with the company.
Yan has the slight edge standing but this battle could easily be decided on either man's proficiency on the ground. While Aldo prefers to keep things standing, which he may manage to do with a 91 percent takedown defense, Yan could find a way to take it there. Regardless, he could find his way to a victory by stoppage, no matter where both fighters end up during the contest.
Also Consider: Alexander Volkanovski ($18), Rose Namajunas ($17), Martin Day ($17), Volkan Oezdemir ($17), Karol Rosa ($16), Marcin Tybura ($14)
