We’re gearing up for 2023 and many of the biggest UFC futures are already available for betting. Let’s dive into the stats and make our predictions on 2023’s winners. Betting on MMA futures at any of our UFC betting sites can give you a serious odds boost, especially if you’re betting the favorite before the hype train gets rolling.
Top 2023 UFC Future Predictions
Here’s a quick list of the fights and fighters we’re predicting to win big. We’ll go into detail on some of the biggest fights, their stats, and how to play these bets. These futures are available at Betonline.ag, one of the safest UFC betting sites.
- Jones vs Ngannou; Jones Money Line
- Volkanovski vs Oliveira; Volkanovski Money Line
- Bo Nikal vs Khamzat Chimaev; Nikal Money Line
- Fedor Emilianenko vs Bader; Bader Money Line
- McGregor vs Usman; Usman Money Line
- Adesanya vs Peireia Rematch; Adesanya Money Line
- Gaethje vs Makhachev; Makhachev Money Line
- Aljamain Sterling vs Cuedo; Sterling Money Line
Jon Jones +135 vs Francis Ngannou -155
Bones is still the unquestioned GOAT of the UFC. His current 21 fight winning streak is at light heavyweight, and his move to heavyweight has been two years in the making. Ngannou wanted out of his contract and out of the UFC, then couldn’t help but beat Gane to retain the title reluctantly. Jones is the man to free him from his golden handcuffs.
Key Stats for UFC Futures 2023
| Fighter | Jones | Ngannou |
|---|---|---|
| UFC Record | 19-1, 1NC | 10-2 |
| UFC Finishes | 11 | 11 |
Jones only loss is his DQ against Hamil. Ngannou was beaten by Lewis and Miocic in 2018. Yes, Francis has evolved in his four years since those losses, and avenged the loss to Miocic, but many of those same weaknesses were exploited by Ciryl Gane, giving up rounds in what was a close fight. Jones will exploit those weaknesses and win the grappling in a way that the 240 pound Gane was unable to. Bet the longest winning fighter in UFC history, who is somehow the underdog at a 1.5 times your money payout.
YES! Jon Jones is Back! #UFC #KnockOut #JonJones #Winner #WorldChamp pic.twitter.com/FALvVtqHzp
— Bindi Sandhu (@BindiSandhu) July 30, 2017
Jones returns in 2017 after his signature long layoff.
Alexander Volkanovski +120 vs Charles Oliveira -140
Moving up in weight is never easy, but Volk wants to fight for the 155 title. He’ll need to get through the former champion first, a fight suspected around March of 2023. Oliveira is the favorite, and The Sports Geek selected him as our winner in the Makhachev bout. We failed to take into account a key factor; fighter longevity and durability.
Key Stats for UFC Futures 2023
| Fighter | Volkanovski | Oliveira |
|---|---|---|
| UFC Record | 12-0 | 21-9, 1 NC |
| Times Knocked Down | 1 | 5 |
| Strikes Absorbed per Minute | 3.5 | 3.2 |
Oliveira doesn’t get hit as often as Volkanovski, but the difference is in power and location. Volk absorbs lots of leg kicks because he faces taller fighters on average. Oliveira absorbs less strikes overall, while being downed more often. I think Volkanovski at 155, closer to his Rugby weight, will be a powerhouse, and people are counting out his striking already. With his elevated power from moving up a weight class, and Oliveira being downed in the last three bouts, Volkanovski can take the win, and we believe money lines will move to recognize that closer to fight time. Secure his underdog status while it’s still available.
Fedor Emilianenko +300 vs Ryan Bader -400
This isn’t a UFC fight, but it’s still on of our anticipated MMA futures. Bellator struggles to create the kind of star power superfight the UFC brings together, and Fedor has a Royce Gracie like mythos surrounding him. Given Emilianenko’s recent string of losses and age, Bader is an easy pick that could move closer to -600 near fight time.
Connor McGregor +450 vs Kumaru Usman -700
This fight isn’t confirmed, but teased by the UFC highe-rups. Usman is opening big, and I think this is one of the biggest underdog wins of 2023. Fresh off his knockout title loss, Usman will be looking for an immediate rematch with Neal, but that may not happen because of injury, schedule and the big money offer to face McGregor.
McGregor’s USADA Status
Mac has been out of the fight scene, recovering and beefing up to his most muscular ever. Regardless of the stats, look at the fact that Connor has been able to train unrested for years. The gains you receive from PED usage don’t evaporate overnight, and Connor’s team of pharmacists and trainers will ensure he carries as much of the power he’s developed in the off season into the ring as possible. Usman has been worn down by repeated title camps and hard fights. Connor could win this bout, and be the #1 welterweight contender in one fight. Bet Mystic Mac for a 4.5 times return on your money.
Israel Adesanya -150 vs Alex Pereira +130
This rematch should happen. Izzy was up on the scorecards for three rounds before losing via knockout. His point fighting style did what it was supposed to do, but Alex proved to have the better conditioning going into round four. Still, Alex has defeated Israel three times across all combat sports, and he’s coming in the underdog for their fourth meeting. It’s only because of the name Adesanya has made for himself as a champion, but Pereira’s power is real and worth betting on.
Stats From Adesanya vs Pereira Title Fight
| Fighter | Adesanya | Pereira |
|---|---|---|
| Strikes Landed in Rounds 1-3 | 57 | 48 |
| Control Time | 6:22 | 31 Seconds |
| % of Strikes To The Head Total | 46% | 47% |
The first fight was close, and on paper Israel did exactly what he was supposed to do. For us, this fight is a coin toss at best. Fans of either fighter should be the money line, and the only factor that shifts us toward Pereira is his underdog status and higher payout, but it’s hardly enough to make a definitive choice for 2023 UFC Futures betting pick.
Justin Gaethje +385 vs Islam Makhachev -350
This is possibly Islam’s next fight, and Makhachev should be closer to -800. He’s a world beater with one fluke loss and Justin was schooled by Oliveira. Makhachev has the makings of a long run as lightweight champion, and to think he pays 1:3 against a fighter who’s 1-2 over his last three fights and four years of competition is a steal. Gaethje’s win over Chandler showed us that in spite of fantastic offensive boxing, Gaethje still hasn’t found a blocking and head movement methodology for MMA striking, and that won’t cut it in a bout with Makhachev.
Stats for 2023 UFC Futures: Gaethje vs Makhachev
| Fighter | Gaethje | Makhachev |
|---|---|---|
| Strikes Absorbed Per Minute | 7.85 | 0.95 |
| Takedowns Defense, Offense | 75%, 0% | 88%, 65% |
| UFC Finishes | 5 | 8 |
Islam Makhachev UFC Highlights
Let’s go @MAKHACHEVMMA 👊🏻Main event for UFC Vegas 31
on July 17 vs Thiago Moises pic.twitter.com/TXn2365znN— 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 🇵🇸 (@stiopic_) June 24, 2021
All four of Justin’s losses are inside the UFC, and three are via finish. Makhachev has all the tools to beat him, and has finished people he struggled with. These stat differences are dramatic, Gaethje gets hit eight times as often as Makhachev. To think that this is competitive in the realm of a -350 favorite status is betting big that Gaethje will land the luckiest left hook of his career. I say this not to disparage Gaethje, but to draw attention to the quality of a bet on Makhachev’s 2023 UFC Futures money line.
Aljamain Sterling -120 vs Henry Cuedo +100
Sterling is a weight bully at 145 pounds. He cuts from 180 or more in between camps, and is often lean at those weight classes. His style is efficient, allowing him to play a slower, bigger man’s game at the featherweight class. Cuedo is an Olympian and two class champion, but as a guy that fought at 125, he’s just too small and too old. Sterling proved that he’s the best the featherweight class has to offer, dismantling his last few opponents. If Cuedo takes this fight, he’ll be bulking for months just to cut to the weight limit, while Aljamain already has it down to a science. Cuedo’s slick boxing style will suffer giving up seven inches of reach. Take the easy money on the champ.
Bo Nikal +250 vs Khamzat Chimaev -300
This will be one of the more boring fights of 2023. Nikal is a good enough grappler to put Khamzat down, but not good enough to do damage or submit him. I expect a long, back and forth battle of positions with a booing crowd. Nikal will be satisfied with the win, and shouldn’t be overly concerned with smashing Chimaev for the optics.
Stats for 2023 UFC Futures: Nikal vs Chimaev
| Fighter | Nikal | Chimaev |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Level of Wrestling | 3 Time NCAA D1 Champion, Olympic Alternate | Swedish National Freestyle Champion x2 |
| Years Active In MMA | 2 | 5 |
Chimaev’s wrestling pedigree pales in comparison to Nikal. Being the best in Sweden isn’t close to being a near olympian in one of the most dominant wrestling countries on Earth. Chimaev has extensive submission work for MMA capabilities, but Gilbert Burns exposed a number of weaknesses that Chimaev is still working on. Nikal is the better grappler here, and this fight will be decided by the moments on the feet, where Chimaev will need to be threatening with his kickboxing and not his takedown ability.
Other 2023 UFC Futures
The Pena vs Nunes rubber match is an obvious win for Nunes. Their last fight was so dominant in favor of Nunes, that it’s clear the pregnancy and baby had a lot to do with her first loss to Pena. Nunes vs Kayla Harrison is also in the MMA futures, but this fight probably won’t happen given Harrison’s recent loss and the UFC’s disinterest in women’s 155 pound competition. Kattar vs Touporia is also interesting, with Ilia currently a +120 underdog in a fight he has a strong chance of winning. Covington has opened as a -650 against Porier,and we see a big win for Covington. Historically, Porier’s takedown defense isn’t on that level, and he’s very small for the 170 weight class.
Betting on 2023 UFC Futures at Online Gambling Sites
There are plenty of UFC futures with only one sportsbook behind them. When you’re looking at our odds, all taken from Betonline.ag, you’ll find that different sites are offering different money lines, even on the same bouts. Hunt around for 2023 UFC futures for fighters you like at the sites below, but check betonline for an extensive selection of 2023 futures, over twenty MMA bouts in total.
