Set for this weekend at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the home of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC 282 features a pair of stellar men’s fights. The main event of the evening and the centerpiece of your UFC 282 betting card, will be between Magomed Ankalaev and former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz for the vacant championship. In the other highlighted match of the night, rising UFC star Paddy Pimblett squares off against Jared Gordon in a race to see who will be the No. 1 contender for the UFC lightweight title. A pretty stacked card, UFC 282 is set to end 2022 with a bang and bring in the new year on a high note and make your UFC 282 betting experience a great one.
For this article, SBS will be going over what to look for from each fighter, matchup predictions, and also even more thoughts about UFC wagering.
| UFC 282 Main Event Bouts | The Pick |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev | Ankalaev | -255 | -255 | -255 |
| Pimblett vs. Gordon | Pimblett | -252 | -252 | -252 |
Fighter Spotlight: Jan Błachowicz
A very dangerous fighter, Błachowicz currently maintains a professional record of 29-9 after knocking off Aleksander Rakić earlier this year via TKO. Certainly a formidable foe, the 39-year-old is ranked as the No. 2 fighter in the UFC light heavyweight rankings earlier this year and is vying for a return to the gold standard. The former champion is the second Polish champion in UFC history and a mainstay at the top of the light heavyweight rankings since making the jump from KSW back in 2014. In his last seven fights, Błachowicz is 6-1 with notable wins over Luke Rockhold (KO) and also Israel Adesanya (unanimous decision).
Fighter Spotlight: Magomed Ankalaev
Recognized as the No. 3 overall fighter in the UFC light heavyweight rankings, Ankalaev is on the verge of becoming one of the sport’s best if he can pass Błachowicz. With a career record of 18-1, with 10 of those victories coming by way of knockout, the 30-year-old from Russia is a force to be reckoned with. The Russian has nine straight victories and an undefeated record in the UFC, Ankalaev is definitely a threat for the championship and should be an excellent foil to Błachowicz. With three Performance of the Night victories in the past, the 30-year-old definitely knows how to put on a show.
Prediction: Kicking off this portion of UFC 282 betting, take the younger challenger in Ankalaev to steal the show and win the vacant Light Heavyweight Championship.
Fighter Spotlight: Paddy Pimblett
Known by many for his trademark floppy hair and lack of tattoos, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett is one of the most exciting young crossover stars in the sport. With an endorsement deal from Barstool Sports, the 27-year old has also earned three Performance of the Night accolades during the course of his young career. Sporting a career record of 19-3, the Baddy is riding a five fight winning streak and is a known submission specialist with nine such victories.
Fighter Spotlight: Jared Gordon
On the other side of the octagon will be the veteran Gordon who is one of the craftiest fighters in the lightweight division. With a career record of 19-5, the 34-year-old has seen it all since overcoming drug addiction in his 20’s. A fighter with a tough background, Gordon will not go down lightly and has tangled with some of the best in the sport. Look for this match to be a true brawl.
Prediction: When thinking about your UFC 282 picks, taking Pimblett to continue his star-studded ascent should be in your plans for this weekend’s card.
After you are all done doing your homework on your UFC 282 bets, SBS has you covered with a wide range of topics that will keep your gambling good times rolling beyond your UFC 282 picks. Of course, if your gaming appetite for MMA is not satisfied at this point, our UFC betting sites guide is exactly the tool you need to always stay on top of the latest UFC action. In addition to that page, another amazing resource is the SBS payment methods breakdown which goes a variety of ways to withdraw and deposit your wagers. With options for everything from crypto to traditional banking methods, there is something for everyone here. Finally, if you are perhaps curious about more high-stakes wagering, our VIP sports betting sites rundown is a great tool to see if VIP betting is for you.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.
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