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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 316: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer odds, picks and predictions
UFC 316: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer odds, picks and predictions In a 3-round middleweight bout on the main card, Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer meet Saturday at UFC 316 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main event is expected to start approximately at 11:15 p.m. ET. The early prelims are slated to begin at 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+ / Disney+) with the prelims scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN+ / Disney+) and the main card set for 10 p.m. ET (Pay-Per-View). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's UFC odds around the UFC 316: Gastelum vs. Pyfer odds, and make our expert UFC picks and predictions. Records: Gastelum (20-9-0) | Pyfer (13-3-0) Gastelum last fought almost a year ago when he claimed a unanimous-decision victory against Daniel Rodriguez June 22, 2024. It was a nice bounceback for Gastelum as he suffered a submission loss to Sean Brady Dec. 2, 2023. Gastelum is 3-6 in his past 9 fights dating back to April 2019 when he lost a title bout to Israel Adesanya at UFC 236. Pyfer also hasn't fought since last June when he picked up a Round 1 KO/TKO victory over Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 303, rebounding from a unanimous-decision setback to Jack Hermansson in a Fight Night main event in February 2024. Pyfer is 5-1 in his last 6 bouts since July 2022. The veteran Gastelum heads into this fight as a big underdog. He gives away 4 inches in reach and is 5 years older than Pyfer. The significant strikes landed per minute is basically even with Gastelum at 3.74 and Pyfer at 3.72. Gastelum has a 46.66% significant strikes accuracy percentage, while Pyfer is at 41.95%. The 28-year-old Pyfer has managed a 1.45 takedown average, while Gastelum checks in at 1.10 in the category. On submission average, Pyfer has a 0.87 mark in the category, while Gastelum has posted just a 0.10 mark in that area. UFC 316: Gastelum vs. Pyfer odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:46 a.m. ET. Fight result (2-way line) : Gastelum +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Pyfer -400 (bet $400 to win $100) : Gastelum +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Pyfer -400 (bet $400 to win $100) Total Rounds: 2.5 Rounds (Over -135 | Under +100) 2.5 Rounds (Over -135 | Under +100) Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -105 | No -130) UFC 316: Gastelum vs. Pyfer picks and predictions Backing Pyfer (-400) will cost 4 times the potential return. That's way too much risk for a singular bet. Even if you were to toss the -400 into a multi-leg parlay, it chips away a lot of value from your betslip. Pyfer is a punching machine and is tremendous in finding ways to get the knockout. On the flip side, Gastelum is on the downside of his career, dropping 6 of the past 9 bouts (as mentioned). While Gastelum hasn't been knocked out in his career, going 6-0 via the method, eating punches at a rapid rate, whether he is knocked out or not, will leave a bad taste in the mouths of the judges. Backing PYFER BY DECISION/TECHNICAL DECISION (+150) at plus-money is a much better value on the 7-way method of victory line. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-135) is a strong play, as Gastelum has the chops as a veteran to hang around even if he is eating punches and falling behind on points in the eyes of the judges. Pyfer should be able to do much more to get in favor of the judges. For distance, that's neither here nor there, however. He can win via KO/TKO, and via submission, but Gastelum's defense is solid, and his veteran leadership will at least help him hang around to let the judges decide. YES (-105): FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE is a good play at near even-money. Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 316: Kelvin Gastelum explains frustration of Joe Pyfer fight rebooking, Mexico remarks
UFC 316: Kelvin Gastelum explains frustration of Joe Pyfer fight rebooking, Mexico remarks Show Caption Hide Caption UFC 316: Kelvin Gastelum media day interview UFC 316 fighter Kelvin Gastelum spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his featured bout vs. Joe Pyfer on Saturday. MORRISTOWN, N.J. – Kelvin Gastelum wasn't thrilled to hear Joe Pyfer talk down on Mexico. Gastelum (19-9 MMA, 13-9 UFC), a Mexican-American fighter, heard the recent disparaging remarks from Pyfer (13-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) made after an illness led to the cancellation of their first scheduled meeting in March at UFC on ESPN 64, which took place in Mexico City. Pyfer took his frustrations out on the entire country of Mexico, calling the country a "sh*t hole," while vowing never to return. "Yeah, obviously it did a little bit of sour taste in my mouth," Gastelum told reporters at UFC 316 media day. "I just think that the way he went about it was a little rude. He shouldn't say those things about other people's countries, and I just think he should have been better about the way he went about it. I don't think those comments were right." The UFC kept the matchup together and rescheduled the fight for the main card of Saturday's UFC 316 (ESPN+ pay-per-view), which takes place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Gastelum admits there is some frustration that the fight didn't take place in its original location. With the change, Gastelum not only lost out monetarily but also lost a strategic component to the matchup. "We were ready for Mexico City – I spent a whole month out there, brought a whole camp out there," Gastelum said. "It was so much time and investment financially, and then just it was a hard, grueling camp. We were planning to use the elevation as part of a weapon, so it was unfortunate that it didn't happen there." Gastelum aims to make it back-to-back wins following a unanimous decision nod over Daniel Rodriguez last June. Keeping the momentum going would be a nice way to enter the summer, where he will be inducted into the UFC's Hall of Fame for his interim title fight war with Israel Adesanya at UFC 236. He admits he hasn't thought much about it yet, as the moment's significance probably won't hit him until the ceremony takes place during International Fight Week. While a Hall of Fame moment is appreciated, Gastelum wants to be remembered for something more before his career is done. "I think it was just a result of everything that I've done and the fights and wars that I've had," Gastelum said of the Hall of Fame induction. "But, the ultimate thing is I want people to remember me as the world champion, which hasn't happened yet, and that's still on my mind."
Daily Tribune
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Dustin Poirier to Cap UFC Career with Max Holloway Trilogy Title Fight
TDT | Manama Dustin Poirier, the Louisiana-born mixed martial arts star, will bring his UFC career to a close with a blockbuster trilogy fight against Max Holloway for the BMF title on 19 July at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The 36-year-old lightweight, hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana, will face Holloway, 33, for the third time in a highly anticipated clash to headline UFC 318. Poirier previously defeated the Hawaiian in their two encounters—first via a first-round submission at UFC 143 in 2012 and then by unanimous decision at UFC 236 in 2019. Both fighters are coming off defeats in championship bouts. Poirier (30-9) was submitted by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in June 2024, while Holloway (26-8), the current BMF titleholder, suffered a knockout loss to featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in October 2024. The event marks the UFC's return to New Orleans after a 10-year absence, and the significance of Poirier fighting in his home state is not lost on UFC executive vice president Peter Dropick. 'It's a special moment for Dustin Poirier to close his remarkable career in New Orleans,' Dropick said. 'We're grateful to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, New Orleans & Company, and Smoothie King Center for making this possible. The fans are ready for our return.' The card also features a compelling middleweight bout between No. 10-ranked Marvin Vettori (19-8-1) and No. 11 Brendan Allen (24-7). The pair were set to meet at UFC Vegas 90 in April 2024, but Vettori's withdrawal led to an unsanctioned altercation at a Florida casino later that year. Their official encounter is expected to be explosive. Other notable fights include:
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 318 main event
Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 318 main event Dustin Poirier will look to cap off his career at home at UFC 318. Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway preview Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) will face BMF champion Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) for a third time in what will be the final fight of his MMA career. "The Diamond" already holds two wins over Holloway – a bonus-winning submission at UFC 143, then over seven years later to claim the interim lightweight title at UFC 236. In his most recent outing, Poirier fell short in his pursuit for undisputed gold for a third time when he was submitted by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June. Meanwhile, Holloway is also coming off a title loss when he was knocked out for the first time in his career by Ilia Topuria at UFC 308. Prior to that, Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje to capture the BMF belt at UFC 300. Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway odds According to DraftKings, Poirier is a slight -115 favorite to beat BMF champion Holloway, who's a -105 underdog. How to watch Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway at UFC 318
Forbes
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Dustin Poirier To End Career Vs. Max Holloway At UFC 318 New Orleans
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 01: Dustin Poirier warms up prior to his fight during the UFC 302 event at ... More Prudential Center on June 01, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Dustin Poirier will close out his UFC career in a main event matchup against Max Holloway at UFC 318. Holloway's BMF title will be on the line in the lightweight matchup, which marks the third meeting between the two future UFC Hall of Famers. UFC 318 takes place on July 19 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Poirier announced the fight on a recent episode of the 'The Pat McAfee Show.' "It's going to be my final fight," Poirier said. "I'm going to lay the gloves down in Louisiana where it all started for me. The whole journey started there, and I'm just honored to have the UFC on the same page and the state of Louisiana on the same page to make all this work. I didn't know if it was going to all come together, but it did." Poirier (30-9-0-1) and Holloway (26-8) have met twice before inside the Octagon. Poirier joined the UFC in 2011 with an 8-1 record. Holloway first fought for the promotion in early 2012, facing Poirier in his first UFC fight. Poirier won that contest via submission in the first round. In their second meeting, which took place in August 2019, Poirier earned a five-round unanimous decision (49-46) win over Holloway to take home the interim UFC lightweight title at UFC 236. The victory ended Holloway's 13-fight winning streak. "This has been a long time in the works, getting Louisiana on board, getting the UFC to even think about coming back to Louisiana," Poirier told MMA Junkie after the fight was made official. "It's happening. I'm super excited. There's nobody else I would rather be standing across from when I lay the gloves down, or when I go into my final fight. Max is a legend. I've got so much respect for the guy. He's done it all right. I was his first fight in the UFC, and he's going to be my last." The BMF title will be on the line in the matchup. Holloway secured the ceremonial title in April 2024 with a memorable last second knockout win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. The fight marks Poirier's second attempt to win the BMF crown. He fell short in July 2023, losing to Gaethje via knockout at UFC 291. Poirier has alternated wins and losses over his past six fights. He is coming off a June 2024 submission loss to Islam Makhachev in a bout for Makhachev's UFC lightweight title. Holloway, a former UFC featherweight champ, saw his three-fight winning streak end in his most recent scrap, a third-round knockout loss to UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in October 2024. The loss was Holloway's first career KO setback. Poirier is happy to once again be competing for the BMF belt. "There haven't been many guys (to fight for it)," Poirier said. "Even to get mentioned or have your name in the hat to be pulled for a BMF fight, you've got to be a fan favorite, you've got to bring it every time. You have to be in that criteria of fighters cut from that cloth. That never-say-die cloth. Max is that. I am that. It's amazing. If I can get my hand raised again, retire with the BMF belt – I'm the BMF forever. "If I can get my hand raised and be the last BMF champion and ride off into the sunset and retire, hey, that's forever. I don't think they would ever do it again unless something crazy happened. That would be dope." As for fighting close to his hometown of Lafayette in his final bout, Poirier couldn't be more satisfied with how the timing worked in his favor. This is the dream," Poirier said. "This is the plan. I'm the one that reached out to the UFC and said I would love to retire at home. And to my surprise, they obliged and said, 'OK, we'll do everything we can to make it happen.' It's amazing when a company works with you like that and has respect for you enough to try to put things in motion because so many things in their schedule is booked up for like the whole year previously. "People don't understand how much goes on behind the scenes. These dates and locations are pre-planned for a long time. For them to scrap something and bring the cage to Louisiana and set it up for me to retire at home. Dude. It's a dream come true." We will have more on the UFC 318 fight card and Holloway vs. Poirier 3 as fight night approaches.
