The best betting props for UFC 254

There’s bound to be blood on the sand as UFC 254 comes live from Fight Island. This stacked card features several intriguing bouts, and some fortuitous props. The main card kicks off Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET, and these are the betting props that could make your night.

Lauren Murphy to win by points (-125)

Though bettors may be intrigued with late sub Liliya Shakirova, she’s just too crude and sloppy to upset Murphy. Murphy is a significant favorite here, and she isn’t going to get reckless with an opponent she’s had no time to prepare for. Taking Murphy on points is the best call for this one.

Tai Tuivasa by KO/TKO/DQ in Round 1 (+325)

Tuivasa is in dire need of a win, and what better cure for a losing streak than a predictable opponent who is easy to hit? Stefan Struve is a tall man who doesn’t know how to gauge distance and is fundamentally defective. In short, he’s going to be an open book for the big punching Tuivasa, and he’ll get sparked out before the first round is over.

Magomed Ankalaev to win by points (+300)

Ankalaev may be rusty after the constant delays ahead of his rematch with Ion Cutelaba, but like Murphy, he’s going to play it safe. He hurt Cutelaba in their first fight and was in control ahead of the admittedly bad stoppage, but he’ll control the distance and cruise to a points win.

Alexander Volkov to win in Rounds 1-3 (+150)

Walt Harris is comprehensively overmatched here, but heavyweights always seem to have closer lines thanks to their explosive power. Volkov has more tools at his disposal and can defend himself well enough to let Harris exhaust himself early. If Alistair Overeem could crack him, the fresher Volkov should close him out within the distance.

Khabib Nurmagomedov to win by submission in Round 3 (+900)

In our preview for the main event, we surmised that Nurmagomedov will slow Gaethje down and close the distance for a submission. Unless Gaethje sparks him out early, it is almost inevitable that he’ll get tapped. Expect MMA’s best technician to do just take, choking a game Gaethje out in three.