UFC Vegas 98, also known as UFC Fight Night 244, is right upon us. And it’s bringing one of the more loaded non-pay-per-view cards we’ve seen in a while. Naturally, then, we have the uncontrollable urge to drop some piping-hot UFC picks.
- What: UFC Vegas 98 (UFC Fight Night 244, UFC on ESPN+ 102
- When: Saturday, October 12, 2024
- Start Time: 4 p.m. EST (preliminary bouts) 7 p.m. EST (main card)
- Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Venue: UFC Apex
- Where to Watch: ESPN+ (subscription required)
- Main Event: Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira
Tatsuro Taira (-190) vs. Brandon Royval (+165) will be the main event at UFC Vegas 98. As such, this matchup will prominently feature in our UFC picks for Vegas 98. But we won’t stop there. A handful of other intriguing showdowns on the main card. Rest assured, we have predictions for those, too. Before we get the UFC picks machine underway, though, here’s a look at latest online UFC betting odds ahead of the action:
We strongly recommend double-checking these UFC Vegas 98 betting lines right up until you place your wager. Our UFC picks are accurate entering Wednesday, October 9. This gives the best online UFC betting sites plenty of time to make adjustments before the opening bells.
In particular, we would advise you to review all UFC Vegas 98 online betting odds now that UFC 307 is over. Though none of the fights on this card are directly related, there is always an influx of action from the public on the next event once the most recent one concludes. Especially when it comes to the main event. So don’t be surprised if you see Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro betting odds underdog material shifts.
And now, let’s get to some UFC picks for Vegas 98.
Should Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira Top Your List of UFC Picks
Tatsuro Taira (-190) enters as the favorite over Brandon Royval (+165), which makes sense. Taira’s record at this level is a perfect 16-0-0. On top of that, he has been a UFC picks dream. Twelve of his 16 victories have been decided by submission, knockouts (KOs) or total knockouts (TKOs).
Some bettors will be skeptical. Look no further than the general UFC betting markets. Usually, many of the best online sportsbooks in the United States are in line with their UFC main event odds. But not this time. Taira is favored everywhere, but the degree to which he’s favored varies.
This likely has something to do with the level of competition he has faced throughout his career. His last victory, at UFC on ESPN 58 in June, was his best yet. Taira bested Alex Perez by TKO (knee injury).
Royval, on the other hand, has faced better competition over the course of his 16-7-0 record. He beat Brandon Moreno at UFC Fight 237 just a couple of months after falling to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 296.
The rest between his last match and this one should serve Royval well. Even so, we worry about his reliance on verticality—he doesn’t average many takedowns per 15 minutes of octagon action—as well as his defense.
Taira excels in the latter category. Opponents are landing just 1.7 significant strikes per minute against him. Royval will test Taira’s submission/KO/TKO ceiling, as someone who doesn’t lose that way himself. Ultimately, though, Taira feels like the more well-rounded fighter. This should be his latest victory en route to inevitably reaching a UFC PPV event. In fact, the next time we do UFC picks for Tatsuro Taira, he could be getting ready for the matchup of his life.
OSB Prediction: Tatsuro Taira (-190)
Does Brad Tavares Have a Chance to Upset Jun Yong Park?
Brad Tavares (+145) has racked up a lot of intriguing moments in the octagon over the past couple of years. His victories at UFC 292, UFC 264 and UFC 257 specifically stand out.
Still, he has struggled to piece together any sort of momentum. Tavares has lost five of his last eight matches and won back-to-back times just once since 2018. Truth be told, it’s been downhill for him since he lost to Israel Adesanya in July 2018.
This isn’t to say he doesn’t have a chance against Jun Young Park (-170). His striking defense can keep things close. But it’s tough to envision him pulling out a victory when facing Park’s combination of striking, grappling and overall footwork.
To be brutally honest, if Park’s four-match winning streak didn’t end against Albert Duraev this past December, he’d likely be a much heavier favorite.
OSB Prediction: Jun Young Park (-170)
Is Grant Dawson vs. Rafa Garcia the Easiest of UFC Picks at Vegas 98?
Good luck finding a set of UFC picks for Vegas 98 that does not have Grant Dawson (-400) making quick work of Rafa Garcia (+300). Don’t expect anything differently here, either.
Dawson has lost just one match outright since 2017. It came against King Green in October 2023. Since then, he has rebounded with a victory over Joe Solecki this past June.
Striking can sometimes be an issue for Dawson. But his standing reach won’t be an issue versus Garcia, who is both smaller and shorter.
OSB Prediction: Grant Dawson (-400)
Daniel Rodriguez Enters as Decided Favorite Over Alex Morono
Anyone who follows UFC picks on a regular basis may be a little surprised by Daniel Rodriguez (-200) as a fairly decided favorite against Alex Morono (+170). The former has not only lost his past three matches, but he’s done so in all different ways: by decision, KO/TKO and submission.
Of course, Rodriguez still has those fast and powerful arms going for him. He lands around 7.42 significant strikes per minute.
And yet, the style he champions is also conducive to getting hit alot. That could prove problematic versus Morono. He’s an fairly inaccurate striker, landing just 41 percent of his attempts, but he’s adept at evading offensive maneuvers and countering with big-time combinations. One misstep from Rodriguez is all he needs to end the match. That has us leaning towards his corner.
OSB Prediction: Alex Morono (+170)
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