The UFC heads back to Brazil for the first time post-pandemic for a big 2023 pay-per-view kickoff. The loaded 15-fight card starts at 6 p.m. EST with the main card beginning at 10 p.m. EST.
Two titles will be on the line on Saturday night. The light heavyweight division was left without clarity in 2022 after Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz fought to a draw in their vacant title affair. Immediately at the night’s conclusion, UFC President Dana White booked Glover Teixeira versus Jamahal Hill for another vacant title fight.
In addition, the co-main event features the promotion’s first tetralogy between flyweight champions Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno.
In this betting preview, we’ll take a look at the full five-fight main card plus one of the more notable preliminary bouts:
- Main Event: Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill
- Co-Main Event: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno
- Gilbert Burns vs. Neil Magny
- Jessica Andrade vs. Lauren Murphy
- Paul Craig vs. Johnny Walker
- Prelim highlight: Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Jailton Almeida
Assuming you are in a legal sports betting state, UFC 283 offers some playable wagers to add to the entertainment of watching high-stakes mixed martial arts.
Let’s see what this exciting UFC 283 card has on tap for sports bettors.
Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook are current at the time of writing and subject to change.
Light Heavyweight: Teixeira vs. Hill
- Moneyline: Teixeira (+104), Hill (-132)
- Prediction: Teixeira by submission
- Best Bet: Teixeira by submission (+240)
At 43, Teixeira has proven himself as one of MMA’s all-time ageless wonders.
The Brazilian has had a truly incredible career when broken down piece by piece. Even in his last defeat to Jiri Prochazka, the former champion was ahead on the judges’ scorecards before an eventual Hail Mary fell short. It was widely considered 2022’s fight of the year, and Teixeira has drawn a much easier matchup than anticipated for his rebound effort.
Generally, it’s rare to see the old guard versus the new in a UFC title fight. Teixeira has been around since 2012, while Hill wasted no time reaching the division’s peak, winning his way into the octagon with a big performance on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Hill packs power in his punches, knocking out the likes of Brazilians Johnny Walker and Thiago Santos. The problem for Hill here will be conquering Teixeira’s solid chin while avoiding takedowns. “Sweet Dreams” has yet to be pressured by someone of Teixeira’s grappling caliber, and when inevitably smothered, he’ll be in big trouble.
Teixeira has suffered knockout losses before, but he’s remained out of danger against threats in recent years, and it should be no different versus Hill.
Flyweight: Figueiredo vs. Moreno
- Moneyline: Figueiredo (+102), Moreno (-130)
- Prediction: Figueiredo by KO/TKO
- Best Bet: Figueiredo by KO/TKO (+420)
Figueiredo and Moreno are made for each other as competitors. We’ve seen everything out of the two except for a knockout. Both are potent strikers, with each finding notable success throughout their trilogy.
“The God of War” seems to be chipping away at Moreno after fight No. 3. Moreno is as game as they come and will never be an easy out, but because of the James Krause betting scandal he was forced to change coaches midway through camp. In terms of overall time, Figueiredo has gotten the best of this rivalry and is due for his finish.
Welterweight: Burns vs. Magny
- Moneyline: Burns (-500), Magny (+340)
- Prediction: Burns by submission
- Best Bet: Burns by submission (+230)
It feels easy to forget how talented Burns is after not fighting since his Khamzat Chimaev classic in April 2022. Oddsmakers are well aware of how strong “Durinho” is, however.
Magny is about as solid of a gatekeeper as a division could ask for. He’s long, boxes well, wrestles, and grinds away when needed, but he has no real finishing ability. Yes, he submitted Daniel Rodriguez in his last appearance, but that would be a mindblowing feat to replicate on a grappler of Burns’ caliber.
Since departing from the lightweight division, Burns has honed his striking to a worrisome degree for his opponents. He can do it all at this stage while staying true to his foundation. At some point, the pair will look to grapple, and when they do, Burns will take advantage and likely wrap up a choke to put away his rangy opponent.
Flyweight: Andrade vs. Murphy
- Moneyline: Andrade (-530), Murphy (+360)
- Prediction: Andrade by KO/TKO
- Best Bet: Andrade by KO/TKO (+170)
Murphy is tougher than a $2 steak.
“Lucky’s” only time getting finished in her 21-fight career came in her lone title shot against Valentina Shevchenko. Aside from that, Murphy has required that opponents beat her at her own game. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long night.
Andrade has historically bulldozed her way through the competition, and this fight could have happened during her bantamweight days. In 2023, she’s better than ever and acquired a more patient approach than seen in her early UFC stint. The power advantage is always in her favor, whether in striking or grappling.
Murphy must nullify Andrade’s pace and pressure to avoid damaging shots and potential slams. That’s easier said than done, however, and if a second fighter is to crack that ever-durable chin, it will be Andrade late in the fight.
Light Heavyweight: Craig vs. Walker
- Moneyline: Craig (+162), Walker (-210)
- Prediction: Craig by submission
- Best Bet: Craig by submission (+340)
This is such a perfectly wacky fight that it’s almost comical.
Craig is a light heavyweight Ryan Hall at this point. He is no striking threat and baits you into his deadly submission game. Walker’s chin has been exposed as one of the most significant weaknesses any fighter has in MMA, but his last fight showed some much-needed grappling improvements.
Walker is incredibly dynamic on the feet and will do his thing against the Scotsman. It’s just hard to trust him not getting excited after a knockdown and falling into the Venus flytrap that is Craig’s guard.
Prelim: Heavyweight: Abdurakhimov vs. Almeida
- Moneyline: Abdurakhimov (+600), Almeida (-1100)
- Prediction: Almeida by submission
- Best Bet: Almeida by submission (-150)
Make or break is an understatement for Russia’s Abdurakhimov in this one.
Although his three consecutive losses via TKO have come against notable contenders like Curtis Blaydes and Serghei Pavlovich, the experienced Abdurakhimov has his work cut out for him against the rising Almeida.
Almeida entered the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series and has looked nothing short of sensational. The Brazilian smasher has yet to earn a victory via decision and doesn’t plan on starting now.
Abdurakhimov is the perfect stepping stone to see if he’s ready to ascend the ranks. Judging by the Russian’s fondness for wrestling, it provides an ideal opening for Almeida to stun Abdurakhimov before a submission finish.
