UFC Fight Night 233: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan odds, picks and predictions

In a 5-round lightweight bout in the main event, Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 233 — also known as UFC on ESPN 52 — at the Moody Center in Austin. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s around the UFC Fight Night 233: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims can be viewed on ESPN+ starting at 4 p.m. ET, while the main card begins on ESPN/ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET.

Records: Dariush (22-5-1) | Tsarukyan (20-3-0)

Dariush is looking to rebound after a 1st-round KO/TKO loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 289 in early June. That snapped an 8-bout winning streak, which included 2 submission wins and 2 KO/TKO victories, with 3 unanimous-decision wins and a split-decision victory.

Tsarukyan was good for a 3rd-round KO/TKO win over Joaquim Silva last time out in mid-June. He has 2 straight wins since losing June 25, 2022, against Mateusz Gamrot by unanimous decision. He is still 7-1 in the past 8 bouts, going the distance in 6 of the past 9 fights.

Dariush stands 3 inches taller than his counterpart, while the Armenian righter Tsarukyan is 7 years younger, while holding a slight half-inch reach advantage. He also is a little more accurate with his significant strikes landed per minute at 58.59% to 53.75%, while holding a 3.43-to-1.91 takedown average advantage.

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UFC Fight Night 233: Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan odds

FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:38 a.m. ET.

UFC Fight Night 233: Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan picks and predictions

Tsarukyan (-290) will cost you nearly 3 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk straight up for not enough reward.

Instead, roll the dice on the veteran DARIUSH (+235) for a chance to more than double up. It’s rather amazing he is such a heavy underdog since he has won 8 of his past 9 bouts overall, and the stats for these fighters are nearly identical.

If you don’t want to declare a winner, yet want action on the main event, playing POINTS (+140) for the ‘How will the fight end’ prop is a good way to go. DARIUSH BY POINTS (+550) is awfully attractive for the ‘method of victory’ section, helping you multiply your initial wager by 5½ times.

OVER 3.5 (-146) isn’t priced out of line if you want a little wiggle room, and you don’t bet the 2-way line or method of victory.

However, YES (+128): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? prop at plus-money is a strong value play, especially if you like either of the fighters to win via decision.