UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. The Korean Zombie Draftkings Spreadsheet

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Best Plays

9k Range:

Alexander Volkanovski ($9,500) – The Aussie is the biggest favorite and highest salaried fighter on the card, Rightfully so, as Volkanovski is undefeated in the UFC and is currently on a twenty-fight win streak. Averaging 107.8 points, Volkanovski offers consistency and a winning pedigree.

Khamzat Chimaev ($9,400) – Perhaps the best play on the card is Chimaev. Having absolutely dominated every opponent put in front of him, in four fights, Chimaev’s lowest point total scored was 117. A floor that can’t be touched.

Petr Yan ($9,300) – Even despite the disqualification defeat, a fight where Yan scored 90.4 points, he has averaged a solid 105.3 points. Even better, in Yan’s last three victories, that number jumps up to an average of 124.46. While Sterling is a tough foe, you can’t deny that Yan is peaking.

Ian Garry ($9,200) – Not my favorite play in this range, given the talent salaried above, but there is no denying that Garry has a bright future in the UFC. Seeing how he scooped up a first round knockout in his debut, accumulating 109.1 points, one could see Garry as a potential salary saver with high upside.

8k Range:

Anthony Hernandez ($8,700) – This play comes with risk or reward. Averaging 59.4 points, Hernandez might not sound appealing at this cost. However, in wins, Hernandez is averaging 114.4 points. With a high of 134.8 points, which he scored in a fight against Jun Yong Park. Given Hernandez is 2-2, with 1 no contest in his last five – I’d be cautious.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik ($8,600) – Much like Hernandez, Rozenstruik is a risk or reward play. A hesitant striker, but with heavy hands, Rozenstruik can either rack up the points or fall flat. With an average of 106.93 points in wins and a high of 127.1 points, the Suriname native does offer upside.

7k and Below Range:

Mark Madsen ($7,800) – There are very few times that you’ll get an opportunity to select an undefeated fighter under 8k. Let alone an Olympian wrestler in Madsen. Averaging 89.5 points in three UFC fights, Madsen offers a winning pedigree and hopefully lots of takedowns. The one problem however is, Madsen has only eclipsed 100 points once and has scored a low of 71.4 points. Then again, as a salary saver at this range, I’m sure you’ll take that.

Mickey Gall ($7,400) – Not my favorite play, but Gall’s number’s rival Anthony Hernandez and Jairzinho Rozenstruik’s. At a discount of over 1k, Gall could be that salary saver necessary to get two big dogs at the top of the slate. Averaging 101.16 in wins, with a high of 126.4, Gall potentially could be on the optimal lineup.

Aljamain Sterling ($6,900) – It seems recency bias has clouded many, as the Bantamweight Champion Sterling sits as the third cheapest fighter on the card. A winner of six straight and eight of the last nine, Sterling is being overlooked. Averaging 80.3 in the last ten fights, and 94.31 in wins, Sterling may be one of my favorite plays at the bottom here.

Chan Sung Jung ($6,700) – Even though the Korean Zombie is the cheapest fighter on the slate, he is certainly not by any means the worst play. Averaging 80.4 points in the last ten, and 116.28 in wins, Jung offers immense upside at this price tag. Throw in the fact that Jung averages 30.03 in defeat, which is the fifth best on the card, and you can count Jung to save salary and notch you some decent points.

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Value Plays

Aleksei Oleinik ($8,100) – Not my favorite play, but always a threat given his submission abilities, Oleinik could be worth a stab here. Averaging 96.82 points in victory, with his lowest point total in a victory being 90.6, Oleinik has a reasonable ceiling at this price. The one problem here, which is why I’m cautious, Oleinik is 44 years old and has been stopped in five of his last six losses.

Marcin Tybura ($7,600) – Before losing recently, Tybura had rattled off five consecutive wins. During those five wins, Tybura averaged 93.92 points, with a high of 111.7. Not exactly great, but at the same time, at a salary of 7.6k – you could do worse than Tybura.

Aspen Ladd ($7,300) – Unless Ladd’s recent performance leaves a sour taste in your mouth, she’s actually got great value in this spot. Thought to be a future contender, Ladd brings forth excellent wrestling. Averaging 99.4 in wins, with a low of 88.3, the floor for Ladd is of considerable value.

Darian Weeks ($7,000) – While Weeks might not get too much love, I think he’s got great value in this spot. In his only UFC appearance, he fought a grizzled veteran in Bryan Barberena on short notice. Despite coming up short, Weeks put up 74.5 points. Facing a young upstart in Garry this go around, with a full camp, there is a chance that Weeks could very well pull off the upset.