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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

UFC 259 Predictions and Betting Picks: Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling

Dan Yanofsky's MMA betting picks for UFC 259, Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling. Read his winning fighter predictions, analysis and betting tips.

Welcome back, RotoBallers. Thanks for joining me again for another fight breakdown, where I give you my analysis and predictions.

There are three title fights taking place at UFC 259, and one of those fights features a newly-crowned champion v. a contender hungry for gold. What can we expect to see when Petr Yan defends the UFC Bantamweight Title against Aljamain Sterling?

By looking at the history and stats of both fighters, we may end up determining who will be walking out of the octagon as champion.

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 30% off using code NEW! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

UFC 259: Fighter Backgrounds

At 28, Yan has managed to take over the UFC in a relatively short amount of time. Making his MMA debut in 2013, the Tiger Muay Thai fighter won the ACB Bantamweight Title in 2015. Yan made his UFC debut in 2018. He is 7-0 with the promotion and is currently on a ten-fight win streak.

Yan would win three fights in 2019; against John Dobson, Jimmie Rivera, and Urijah Faber. The win against Faber was via a swift head kick KO. After calling his shot, Yan would then face Jose Aldo for the vacant UFC Bantamweight Title following Henry Cejudo's retirement. After controlling the fight, Yan was able to break Aldo and win at UFC 251 via TKO last July for the title.

This is a long time coming for Sterling, ranked first in the UFC's bantamweight rankings. “Funk Master” is a two-time NCAA Division III All-American and made his MMA debut in 2011. Fighting for Cage Fury Fighting Championships, Sterling won the CFFC Bantamweight Title. Sterling would join the UFC in 2014 and would go on a four-fight win streak. He is 11-3 with the promotion.

Going 2-2 from 2016-2017, Sterling had his winning streak snapped by a vicious Marlon Moraes knee in December 2017. After recovering from the loss, Sterling has gone 5-0, with big wins over Rivera and Pedro Munhoz. He would then undergo surgery to fix a nagging injury. Returning to action, Sterling took out Cory Sandhagen via submission at UFC 250 in June, cementing himself as the true contender.

 

UFC 259: Fight Outlook and Prediction

When it comes to who everyone believes has the advantage, the DraftKings Sportsbook at this time has both Sterling and Yan at -110. It is a fight that might be too close for comfort, as anything can happen. Can the overall stats help us pick out a winner?

When it comes to Significant Strikes Landed per Minute, Yan (about 6.32) has the advantage over Sterling (about 4.82). Yan has a +3.07 striking differential, which is ranked first in the bantamweight division. His boxing is dominant, as combinations are the name of the game. They are about dead even when it comes to Significant Striking Accuracy with 50%. The same could be said for Striking Defense; 63% for Yan and 66% for Sterling.

Sterling is a busier striker, but when he takes someone down, he rarely will let go. He averages 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes and has a +2.82 striking differential. That is ranked third all-time within the division. Sterling’s movement is also something to keep an eye on, as he can keep it nice and clean until he wants to get dirty. The Long Island native can hit the body and go for the swift takedown, submitting an opponent as he did against Sandhagen. He can also switch stances at any moment.

Speaking of power, Yan has landed 480 strikes in his last four fights, 384 of them significant. 258 total and 194 significant strikes landed against Aldo. Sterling has landed 377 total strikes in his last four, with 310 of them significant. Yan has a clinch advantage, especially when it comes to body and head shots. One can’t forget, however, about Sterling’s magnetic wrestling ability. Sterling’s pocket presence is also something to keep an eye on.

Both fighters like to scramble from off the back, which can result in an extreme amount of pain for any opponent.

The sportsbook has a hard time giving either fighter an edge, and rightfully so. Both are in the prime of their careers, and all outcomes are on the table. If Yan can find his power right away, it could be game over. However, if Sterling can work his way around the octagon, bring Yan down, and work him from the back, we could see a new champion walk out of Las Vegas.

Don’t forget that Sterling’s recent surgery has helped his grappling ability. His last fight proved that and that was his first bout back. If it continues to develop, Sterling’s hand getting raised will seem like a likely outcome.

Prediction: Sterling via submission (round three)

More MMA Analysis

More DFS Analysis & Lineup Picks




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ryan Mountcastle

Adley Rutschman And Ryan Mountcastle Not In Game One Lineup

Panthers Select Trevor Etienne 114th Overall
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Wasn't Available Friday Due To Recent Usage

Giants Take CFP Darling Cam Skattebo
Darius Garland

Won't Suit Up For Game 3
Ha-Seong Kim

Targeting June/July Return

Jags Bolster Backfield With Bhayshul Tuten

Titans Selected Chimere Dike At No. 103
Darius Garland

Unavailable For Pregame Warmup
MLB

Yankees and Blue Jays Postponed On Saturday
Colt Keith

Not In the Lineup For Game One Of Doubleheader
Jrue Holiday

Classified As "Day-To-Day"
Spencer Steer

Hits Two-Run Home Run On Friday
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Hits First Career Home Run In Multi-Hit Effort
Jacob Wilson

Hits Third Home Run In Three-Hit Game On Friday
Paul Skenes

Strikes Out Nine In Win Over Dodgers
Shane Baz

Tosses Seven Shutout Innings In Win
Trevor Larnach

Homers, Collects Four RBI On Friday
Jordan Beck

Power Surge Continues, Homers Twice On Friday
Jacob Markstrom

Ends Losing Spell Friday
Devin Williams

Blows Save On Friday, Yankees Make Temporary Move At Closer
Cole Caufield

Collects Two Points In Friday's Win
Connor McDavid

Totals Three Points In Game 3 Win
Johnathan Kovacevic

Exits Early Friday
Seth Lugo

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings In Friday's Win Over Houston
Sam Montembeault

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Friday
Logan Thompson

Exits Loss With Injury
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Will Throw A Bullpen On Sunday
Brandon Hagel

Suspended For Game 3
Griffin Conine

To Have Shoulder Surgery On Tuesday
Luke Keaschall

Twins Prospect Luke Keaschall Suffers Broken Forearm
Logan Gilbert

Leaves Friday's Start With Forearm Tightness
Tai Felton

Vikings Select Tai Felton To Finish Day 2
Jalen Milroe

Seahawks Select Quarterback Jalen Milroe With The 92nd Pick Overall
Dillon Gabriel

Browns Select Dillon Gabriel 94th Overall
Savion Williams

Packers Pick Savion Williams At No. 87 overall
Kaleb Johnson

Steelers Snag Kaleb Johnson In Round 3
Pat Bryant

Broncos Select Wide Receiver Pat Bryant With The 74th Overall Pick
Jaylin Noel

Texans Select Jaylin Noel With 79th Pick
Isaac TeSlaa

Lions Select Wide Receiver Isaac TeSlaa With The 70th Overall Pick
Jack Leiter

To Start On Sunday
Kyle Williams

Patriots Add Wide Receiver Kyle Williams In Round 3
Harold Fannin Jr.

Browns Draft Harold Fannin Jr. With 67th Pick
Garrett Mitchell

Makes Early Exit
Luke Keaschall

Removed Early On Friday
RJ Harvey

Broncos Add RJ Harvey To Backfield With 60th Pick
Jack Bech

Raiders Select Jack Bech With 58th Pick
Tre Harris

Chargers Add Wide Receiver Tre Harris In Round 2
Detroit Lions

Lions Acquire 57th Pick From Broncos
Elijah Arroyo

Seahawks Draft Elijah Arroyo 50th Overall
Carolina Panthers

Panthers Acquire 51st Pick From Broncos
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Snag Will Johnson At No. 47
Brandin Podziemski

Not On Injury Report For Game 3
Jimmy Butler III

Warriors Optimistic About Jimmy Butler III Playing Saturday
Jae'Sean Tate

To Remain Out Saturday
Jock Landale

Unavailable For Game 3
Terry Rozier

Out On Saturday
Jrue Holiday

Ruled Out For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Orlando
Kevin Love

To Miss Saturday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Available For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Magic
Gary Payton II

Iffy For Saturday's Action
Jayson Tatum

Officially Available On Friday For Game 3 Against Magic
Luke Kennard

Questionable For Game 4 On Saturday
Darius Garland

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Ja Morant

To Miss Game 4 On Saturday
Rui Hachimura

Available For Game 3 In Minnesota
Aaron Ekblad

Available To Return Saturday
Aleksander Barkov

Questionable For Saturday
Gabriel Landeskog

Set For Larger Role In Game 4
Calvin Pickard

To Start Game 3 For Oilers
Jonas Siegenthaler

To Play Limited Minutes In Game 3
Luke Hughes

Remains Out On Friday
Patrik Laine

A Game-Time Decision Friday
Jaylen Brown

Questionable For Game 3 On Friday
Jimmy Butler III

Could Miss Game 3 On Saturday
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Cade Cunningham

Collects Double-Double In Loss
Jalen Brunson

Drops 30 Points In Game 3
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Nicolas Dalby

An Underdog At UFC Kansas City
Randy Brown

A Favorite At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Set To Open Up UFC Kansas City Main Card
Ikram Aliskerov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Lightning In Game 2
Cam Fowler

Finishes Thursday's Win With Five Points
Robert Thomas

Posts Four Assists In Game 3 Win
Pavel Buchnevich

Celebrates Hat Trick During Four-Point Performance
Dylan DeMelo

Battling An Illness
Marcus Johansson

Exits Early Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Hurt In Game 2
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF