UFC 257 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview – Poirier vs McGregor 2

• Conor McGregor returns to rematch Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 257
• Michael Chandler makes his highly-anticipated UFC debut against Dan Hooker
• See the odds, picks, and betting preview for the full UFC 257 main card, below

For the second straight year, Conor McGregor headlines the UFC’s first pay-per-view of the year.

In the main event of UFC 257, Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor are set to have their rematch six-and-a-half years in the making. The co-main event sees Dan Hooker welcome former Bellator lightweight champion, Michael Chandler to the UFC.

UFC 257 airs live on pay-per-view on January 23, 2021, at 10 PM EST in Abu Dhabi. The table below shows odds for the main card at FanDuel and DraftKings, followed by best bets for the event.

UFC 257 Odds

All odds as of Jan. 18

Can Poirier Exact His Revenge?

Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier first met at UFC 178 in September of 2014 at featherweight with the Irishman winning by knockout in 1:46. Since the fight, Poirier has made it clear he wanted the rematch and he will get this wish.

Poirier & McGregor Recent Fights

Conor McGregor is back down to lightweight and looking to make another run at a title. The Irishman wanted to fight three times in 2020 but that did not come to fruition. For Poirier, he is hoping to prove how much better he has gotten and pick up the biggest win of his career against the Irishman.

Poirier vs McGregor Stats

There is no question this fight is much different than the first fight for a variety of reasons. First off, it is now at lightweight, where Poirier has proven he has a better chin. McGregor has not been his usual trash-talking self in the lead-up, which played a big factor in the first fight as he got inside Poirier’s head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMFBEiAJaKc&t=239s&ab_channel=UFC-UltimateFightingChampionship

Although Poirier has proven to be a legit contender at lightweight, he does get hit, as evidence by his fights against Hooker, Gaethje, and Alvarez. There is no question, “The Diamond” can’t be hit as often by the left hand of McGregor as it normally only takes one.

Conor McGregor has said he will KO Poirier inside 60 seconds, which I disagree with. However, I do expect the Irishman to be able to land the big shots and knock Poirier out in the second round.

Pick: Conor McGregor (-290)

Can Hooker Spoil Chandler’s Debut?

Michael Chandler has told anyone who would listen he is the best. lightweight in the world while he was the Bellator champ, but now, he has a chance to prove it.

Hooker & Chandler Recent Fights

This is a very tough test for Chandler’s UFC debut, but “Iron” made it clear he wanted the hardest fights possible.

Hooker is the better striker but Chandler’s wrestling could be the difference-maker in this fight. We have seen Chandler be rocked and knocked out, and if Hooker lands a clean shot, he likely can shut Chandler’s lights off. However, I do think the former Bellator lightweight champ is as good as he says he is, and he will mix his wrestling and striking to control the fight and win a decision.

Pick: Michael Chandler (+108)

Other UFC 257 Picks:

1. Joanne Calderwood (-118): It is hard to tell which Jessica Eye will show up, but I do like Calderwood to be able to outstrike Eye to win a decision.
2. Ottman Azaitar (-168): Azaitar is one of the top prospects at lightweight. I expect him to land a big shot and eventually TKO Frevola.
3. Amanda Ribas (-335): Marina Rodriguez has bad takedown defense, so expect Ribas to take her down early and often en route to a submission win.