UFC 242 Betting Preview & Odds Roundup

The UFC heads to Abu Dhabi this weekend, as fight fans finally get to see the return of Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242: Nurmagomedov vs Poirier.

The main event this weekend is a UFC lightweight championship title unification bout between champion Nurmagomedov and interim champion Dustin Poirier. At Bovada Sportsbook, Nurmagomedov is a -450 favorite and Poirier a +325 underdog.

Nurmagomedov is undefeated at 27-0 with eight wins by knockout and nine by submission. He hasn’t fought in nearly a year due to a suspension he received for his role in a brawl after his last fight. That fight was at UFC 229 in October, when he defeated Conor McGregor by fourth-round submission in his first title defense as a -275 favorite.

Poirier has won his last four fights and sits at 25-5 and one no contest, with 12 wins by KO and seven by submission. He last fought in April at UFC 236 where he won the interim title after defeating Max Holloway by unanimous decision as a +165 underdog.

Barboza favored in rematch with Felder

Also on the main card this weekend is a lightweight rematch between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder. At Bovada, Barboza is a -155 favorite and Felder a +125 underdog.

Barboza has struggled lately with a 1-3 record in his last four fights, dropping his overall record to 20-7 with 12 wins by KO. He last fought at UFC on ESPN 2 in March, losing to Justin Gaethje by first-round KO as a -137 favorite.

Felder is 16-3 with 10 wins by KO. He last fought at UFC on ESPN 1 in February where he defeated James Vick by unanimous decision as a -110 underdog.

Barboza and Felder previously met up at UFC on Fox 16 in July 2015. In that bout, which won Fight of the Night honors, Barboza won by unanimous decision as a -165 favorite.

Makhachev, Ramos put win streaks on line

One other notable fight on the main card this weekend features a pair of submission specialists in a lightweight bout between Islam Makhachev and Davi Ramos. Makhachev is a -325 favorite and Ramos a +250 underdog.

Makhachev has won five straight fights to improve to 17-1 with three wins by KO and seven by submission. He last fought at UFC Fight Night 149 in April where he defeated Arman Tsarukyan by unanimous decision as a -400 favorite.

Ramos has won four fights in a row to sit at 10-2 with one win by KO and seven by submission. He last fought at UFC Fight Night 152 in May when he defeated Austin Hubbard by unanimous decision as a -585 favorite.