Islam Makhachev vs Drew Dober is on the main card for UFC 259 betting on March 6.
This should be an intriguing fight with the promising Makhachev looking to continue his rise up the lightweight rankings. UFC betting lines have Makhachev installed as a significant -355 favorite for this bout, while Dober comes back at +270.
We bring you our best Makhachev vs Dober picks and predictions for UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Makhachev vs Dober fight odds
| Method of Victory | Islam Makhachev | Drew Dober |
|---|---|---|
| Win Outright | -355 | +270 |
| Win by KO/TKO | +750 | +550 |
| Win by Points | -115 | +850 |
| Win by Submission | +420 | +1,600 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Makhachev vs Dober betting preview
Islam Makhachev might be best known for training with Khabib Nurmagomedov, but he's a very good fighter in his own right and is currently ranked at No. 14 in the lightweight division.
Makhachev is on a six-fight winning streak, although he hasn't entered the octagon in 18 months due to travel restrictions and a subsequent staph infection. The 29-year-old is an excellent wrestler with ferocious ground-and-pound, and strong submission skills.
Drew Dober has won three consecutive fights by way of knockout, most recently a second-round TKO over Alexander Hernandez last May which earned Performance of the Night honors.
Dober hasn't faced the toughest competition since entering the UFC in 2014, but he's now 6-1 over his last seven fights and continues to develop as a fighter. The Southpaw has solid boxing and has improved his scrambling.
Makhachev vs Dober tale of the tape
| Islam Makhachev | Drew Dober | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Age | 32 |
| 5-foot-10 | Height | 5-foot-8 |
| 155 lbs | Weight | 155 lbs |
| 70 inches | Reach | 70 inches |
| 18-1-0 (3 KO) | Record | 23-9-0 (11 KO) |
Makhachev vs Dober UFC prediction and betting pick
PREDICTION: Makhachev to win by points -115 - Dober's striking has looked very sharp in his most recent bouts but Makhachev has the ability to shut down the offense of his opponents.
Makhachev absorbs just 0.76 significant strikes per minute which is a testament to how well he stifles foes with his dominant wrestling. He also averages 3.4 takedowns per minute which could spell trouble for Dober and his questionable takedown defense.
With four of Makhachev's last six wins coming by points, expect him to control this fight on the ground and take the decision.
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