Analysis of UFC 299 Matchups: Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera 2 and Other Predictions and Odds

• UFC 299 goes down this Saturday in Miami, Florida
• Sean O’Malley faces Marlon Vera, while Dustin Poirier takes on Benoit Saint-Denis
• Read below for full UFC 299 odds, picks & predictions for Saturday night

UFC 299 is set to take place on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The main card will kick off at 10:00 PM EST, with prelims starting at 8:00 PM EST on ESPN News and ESPN+. Early prelims begin at 6:00 PM EST exclusively on ESPN+.

The event is headlined by a bantamweight title rematch between champion Sean O’Malley and the only man to defeat him, #1 contender Marlon “Chito” Vera. The co-main event features a lightweight clash between former interim champ Dustin Poirier and rising contender Benoit Saint-Denis.

Let’s examine the UCF 299 odds, as we offer our Sean O’Malley vs Marlon Vera 2 predictions and more.

UCF 299 Odds (Main Card)

In the UFC 299 odds, the heaviest favorite on the main card is Song Yadong in the opening bout against Petr Yan. The fight with the highest over/under for total rounds is Sean O’Malley vs Marlon Vera (4.5).

Fans can watch the main card pay-per-view on ESPN+. The prelims will air on ESPN News and ESPN+, while the early prelims are exclusive to ESPN+.

All odds as of March 7th, 2024 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet on UFC 299 with the DraftKings promo code. North Carolina sports betting launches March 11th, meaning NC sports bettors can pre-register at DraftKings North Carolina for a unique offer.

Sean O’Malley (c) vs. Marlon Vera 2

The main event is a highly anticipated rematch three and a half years in the making. Sean O’Malley (17-1, 1 NC) captured the bantamweight title in his last fight with a spectacular knockout of Aljamain Sterling. The only blemish on O’Malley’s record remains a TKO loss to Marlon Vera back in August 2020, when Vera capitalized on an ankle injury O’Malley suffered during the fight.

Since that loss, O’Malley has gone unbeaten in six straight, including five finishes. Known for his creative striking and colorful personality, “Suga Sean” has become one of the UFC’s biggest stars. He now looks to avenge his sole defeat and solidify his status as the bantamweight king.

4 days out from 299, go buy the PPV before it sells out! pic.twitter.com/xu4jCazxO2

— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) March 5, 2024

Marlon Vera (23-8-1) earned this title shot by winning five of his last six fights. The hard-hitting Ecuadorian holds notable wins over Dominick Cruz, Frankie Edgar, and Rob Font. Vera’s only loss in his recent run came in a close split decision to José Aldo.

At age 30, Vera is in his fighting prime and hungry to capture UFC gold for the first time. His aggressive muay thai striking and slick submission skills make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. Vera is currently a -105 underdog, while O’Malley is a -125 favorite.

O’Malley vs Marlon Vera 2 Prediction:

While Vera already holds a win over O’Malley, a lot has changed for both fighters since their first encounter. O’Malley has shown marked improvements in his striking defense and overall game.

If he can avoid being drawn into a brawl and pick his shots, his precise and varied striking attack should be enough to outpoint Vera over five rounds. O’Malley retains his title by unanimous decision.

Dustin Poirier vs Benoit Saint-Denis

The co-main event pits former interim lightweight champ Dustin Poirier (29-8) against surging French prospect Benoit Saint-Denis (13-1). Poirier is looking to rebound after suffering a brutal head kick KO loss to Justin Gaethje in his last outing. Prior to that, “The Diamond” had won four of his previous five, with his only loss coming in a title fight against Charles Oliveira.

At age 34, Poirier remains one of the best lightweights in the world. He has a wealth of experience against elite competition. Poirier’s crisp boxing and underrated grappling make him a handful for anyone in the division. However, there are questions about how much the Gaethje KO loss may have taken out of him.

Benoit Saint-Denis has been on a tear since dropping his short-notice UFC debut in 2021. The 27-year-old has won five straight fights, all by finish. Most recently, he scored a highlight-reel head kick KO of Matt Frevola at UFC 295.

Saint-Denis is a well-rounded fighter with solid striking and a dangerous submission game. He pushes a relentless pace and thrives in chaos. While he’s taking a big step up in competition here, Saint-Denis has the skills to give Poirier problems everywhere.

Currently, Saint-Denis is a -170 favorite while Poirier is a +130 underdog. The over/under is set at 1.5 rounds, with the over at -240 and the under at +190.

Poirier vs Saint-Denis Prediction:

This has the makings of a fight of the night candidate. Poirier’s experience and technical boxing give him a clear edge on the feet. However, Saint-Denis’ grappling could be a major x-factor. Look for the Frenchman to mix in takedowns and keep the pressure on Poirier.

If Saint-Denis can avoid Poirier’s power early and drag him into deep waters, the upset is there for the taking. Saint-Denis weathers an early storm and takes over down the stretch to win a hard-fought unanimous decision. Take Saint-Denis at -170 and the over 1.5 rounds at -245.

Picks:

• Saint-Denis ML (-170)
• Over 1.5 Rounds (-245)

Other Main UCF 299 Card Fights

A pair of heavyweight contenders collide as #4 Curtis Blaydes takes on #7 Jailton Almeida. Blaydes is a dominant wrestler with heavy ground and pound. Almeida is a submission specialist who has finished all four of his UFC wins inside the distance. Blaydes’ wrestling should be the difference as he grinds out a decision victory.

Top welterweights Gilbert Burns and Jack Della Maddalena square off in a pivotal matchup. Burns is a former title challenger with elite grappling and solid striking. Della Maddalena is an undefeated prospect with 13 straight wins, all by stoppage. Look for Burns to use his experience and grappling to hand Della Maddalena his first loss by submission.

Welterweight action fighters Kevin Holland and Michael Page meet in a striking battle. Holland is a former middleweight known for his unorthodox striking and trash talk. Page is an unorthodox kickboxer who has found success in MMA. Both men are hard to hit and creative on the feet. In a close fight, Holland’s size and grappling could be the difference as he ekes out a split decision win.

UFC 299 is shaping up to be an exciting event with a number of highly anticipated matchups, including the rematch between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera. The two fighters first faced off in August 2020, with O’Malley suffering his first professional loss to Vera via TKO in the first round. Now, they are set to meet again in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.

Sean O’Malley, also known as “Sugar,” is a rising star in the UFC bantamweight division. With a record of 14-1, O’Malley is known for his flashy striking and dynamic fighting style. Despite his loss to Vera, O’Malley remains a fan favorite and is eager to redeem himself in their upcoming rematch.

Marlon Vera, on the other hand, is a seasoned veteran in the UFC with a record of 18-7-1. The Ecuadorian fighter is known for his toughness and well-rounded skills, making him a formidable opponent for O’Malley. Vera’s victory over O’Malley in their first fight was a significant milestone in his career, and he will be looking to repeat that success in their rematch.

As for predictions and odds for the O’Malley vs. Vera rematch, it is expected to be a closely contested fight. O’Malley will likely come into the fight as the favorite, given his impressive record and potential for redemption. However, Vera has already proven that he has what it takes to defeat O’Malley, making him a dangerous opponent.

In addition to the O’Malley vs. Vera rematch, UFC 299 will feature a number of other exciting matchups. Some of the other fights on the card include a heavyweight bout between Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa, a women’s strawweight fight between Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza, and a featherweight matchup between Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez.

Overall, UFC 299 is shaping up to be an action-packed event with plenty of intriguing matchups and potential upsets. Fans can expect to see some high-level mixed martial arts action as the fighters battle it out in the Octagon. Be sure to tune in on fight night to see who comes out on top in these exciting matchups.