Two titles are on the line at UFC 274, with both champions entering as the betting favorites. The better value, though, is further down a stacked card, which is loaded with legends and plenty of potential violence. Here’s a look at three fights set for Saturday:
Brandon Royval (-260) vs. Matt Schnell (+ 210)
Flyweight
Early on the preliminary card, two ranked flyweights will face off with a chance to move into the top five in the division with a win. Both Brandon Royval and Matt Schnell have taken most of their victories by submission, which means this fight might turn into a stalemate on the ground and be decided elsewhere.
If we look beyond submissions, the biggest advantages that leap off the statlines are Royval’s striking pace and power. If the fighters stand and trade, Royval could have the edge, followed by more favorable stats on the ground. He averages almost twice the striking volume as Schnell at a distance.