Underdog Sean O'Malley Drawing Significant Financial Attention at UFC 316
May 29, 2025 – Updated at 12:03h
DraftKings anticipates a record-breaking handle on UFC events this summer, with increased betting interest in the highly-anticipated rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley on June 7.
The fight, part of UFC 316 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, is set to kick off an action-packed six weeks of UFC events. Speaking to the trend, Johnny Avello, a Sports Betting Hall of Fame member and DraftKings' race & sportsbook director, expressed enthusiasm rather than concern about potential bettor fatigue.
"We're not seeing fatigue," Avello explained. "UFC has been a good product; we're seeing growth in it. We're projecting a bigger handle this year than we did last year. And we just see all systems go."
As the betting favorite, Dvalishvili has odds around -330 to -325, meaning bettors need to wager $330 to win $100 on him. O'Malley, formerly the favorite in their first meeting, is listed as the underdog with odds around +240 to +260.
The confidence in Dvalishvili is rooted in his exceptional cardio, takedown ability, and control on the mat. His recent performance against Umar Nurmagomedov, where he defended most takedown attempts and wore down his opponent, has boosted sportsbook confidence in him for this rematch with O'Malley.
Upcoming UFC 317 on June 28 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will feature Ilia Topuria versus Charles Oliveira in a lightweight title bout, vacated by Islam Makhachev, who has moved up to welterweight.
Sports betting combined with UFC entertainment drives viewership, and the upcoming season promises to deliver high-stakes action and immersive experience for fans and bettors alike.
"If you're watching a game, it's great entertainment," Avello reiterated. "Sports betting is great entertainment. It's nice to have a wager ... now, watch the game and bet prematch, or bet during the match, during each game. So, as things change during the game, if you got a feel of how the games going, you can actually put down a wager throughout the entire event."
When setting odds, DraftKings considers factors such as a fighter's career trajectory, skill set, and overall standing in the UFC scene. The initial line is established by a dedicated team of experts, who then take into account the general public and professional bettors' opinions to finalize the odds.
With the relentless pace of upcoming UFC events, June is shaping up to be a summer blockbuster not just for fans but also for those placing their bets on the octagon's finest.
- Johnny Avello, a member of the Sports Betting Hall of Fame and the race & sportsbook director at DraftKings, expressed excitement about the increased betting interest in UFC events, particularly the rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley.
- UFC betting odds for the highly-anticipated fight between Dvalishvili and O'Malley show Dvalishvili as the betting favorite, with odds around -330 to -325, while O'Malley is listed as the underdog with odds around +240 to +260.
- As the UFC season promises high-stakes action and immersive experience for fans and bettors, Johnny Avello emphasized that sports betting can enhance the entertainment value of UFC events, allowing bettors to place wagers prematch or during the match, as the game progresses.
