Underdog Fighter Sean O'Malley Drawing Significant Financial Interest at UFC 316
Updated on May 29, 2025, at 12:03h
DraftKings anticipates a record handle for UFC events this summer, with significant betting action on several upcoming fights. The extensive UFC calendar for June, comprising two main pay-per-view (PPV) events and three Fight Night events, is expected to yield high handle figures.
Johnny Avello, a Sports Betting Hall of Fame member and DraftKings' race & sportsbook director, expressed optimism about the UFC's growing popularity among bettors. He highlighted the organization's sustained success during the pandemic, which boosted its visibility and attracted increased interest from sports bettors.
"We're not seeing any signs of bettor fatigue," said Avello. "UFC has been a good product; we're seeing continued growth in it. We anticipate a bigger handle this year compared to last year."
The UFC 316 event, scheduled for June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, serves as the opening act for a six-week summer UFC fight series. The main card features a bantamweight title bout between reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley, a rematch from their September 2022 encounter. Dvalishvili won the first match by unanimous decision.
In the UFC 316 betting odds at DraftKings, O'Malley is the underdog, with odds of +250, while Dvalishvili is the favorite at -310. Dvalishvili's victory in their last match saw him land 214 total strikes to O'Malley's 49.
"They're betting on O'Malley for the rematch," noted Avello. "In the first fight, we had a rather significant liability on O'Malley as the favorite, so it's not surprising that betting is favoring him."
Other noteworthy fights on the June 7 card include a women's bantamweight title bout between Julianna Pena (current champion, with odds of +455) and Kayla Harrison (-625).
UFC 317, set for June 28 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by Ilia Topuria versus Charles Oliveira in a lightweight title bout, is also generating buzz among bettors. However, specific handle figures for either event on DraftKings have not been made public at this time.
The sensational nature of the UFC, with its WWE-style promotion, character-driven storylines, and controversial elements, consistently attracts a sizeable viewing audience. Combined with the sheer athleticism and mental fortitude required for high-level competition, this blend of entertainment and sport grandeur ensures consistent interest among fans and bettors alike.
Avello emphasized the fun and excitement aspect of sports betting, stating, "It's great entertainment. It's enjoyable to have a wager, to watch the game, and bet either before or during the game."
To set odds for UFC fights, Avello and his team consider various factors such as the fighter's career trajectory, skill set, and length of experience in the sport. This evaluation helps establish opening numbers that are generally correct, leaving room for public perception and smart money to impact the line in subsequent betting activity.
[Enrichment data: Reports confirm that UFC 316 (June 7, headlined by Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley) is generating substantial betting action, particularly on the underdog O'Malley. Regarding UFC 317 (June 28 in Las Vegas, main event Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira), there are discussions about the event, but specific DraftKings handle projections are currently unavailable.]
- In the lead-up to UFC 316 on June 7, Johnny Avello, DraftKings' race & sportsbook director, mentioned that there's significant betting action on the underdog Sean O'Malley in his rematch against reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili.
- Regarding the upcoming UFC 317 on June 28, Johnny Avello acknowledged the buzz among bettors for the Ilia Topuria versus Charles Oliveira lightweight title bout, though specific handle figures for the event on DraftKings have not been disclosed yet.
- Mixed-martial-arts events, such as UFC fights, have gained popularity among sports bettors, with Johnny Avello, a Sports Betting Hall of Fame member, attributing this to UFC's sustained success during the pandemic and the entertaining blend of physical competition and WWE-style promotion.
