The UFC returns to the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a Fight Night after their event in Winnipeg last week. This week’s UFC Fight Night is headlined by No. 5 Aljamain Sterling vs. No. 7 Youssef Zalal. This event begins with the Prelims at 5:00 p.m. ET and continues with the Main Card at 8:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+.

Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $300K Throwdown [$100K to 1st]

Check out my favorite fighters to add to your daily fantasy lineup for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night below.

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Studs

Alexander Hernandez ($8,500)

Two streaking fighters at 155 pounds, Rafa Garcia and Alexander Hernandez, will face off in a three-round contest. Hernandez has won four straight bouts while Garcia is riding a two-fight winning streak. Hernandez has scored back-to-back knockouts over Chase Hooper and Diego Ferreira. In Garcia’s last fight, he picked up a knockout victory over Jared Gordon.

On paper, Hernandez has a two-inch height (5’9″ vs. 5’7″) and a two-inch advantage in standing reach (72″ vs. 70″). In the striking department, both fighters average 4.31 significant strikes per minute. Garica is five percent more accurate with Hernandez absorbing fewer punches.

In Hernandez’s previous three victories, he has recorded at least 91 fantasy points. At $8,500, Hernandez can provide elite upside for your upside as he has shown in the past. If Hernandez can limit Garcia’s takedowns in this contest, he should be able to find success. Hernandez has the edge in power on the feet, making it the difference maker in this bout.

Aljamain Sterling ($7,800)

Former Bantamweight Champion, Aljamain Sterling, is taking on No. 7 Youssef Zalal in the Main Event of this week’s UFC Fight Night. Sterling is 2-1 at 145 pounds and is coming off a win over Brian Ortega, while Zalal is on an eight-fight winning streak. Zalal first competed in the UFC from February 2020 to August 2022, going 3-3-1. But since returning to the promotion in March 2024, we have seen a new and improved version of Zalal. Zalal has won four of his last five fights in the UFC by submission. Zalal and Sterling are familiar with each other, as they have trained together in the past.

In this contest, Zalal is three inches taller (5’10” vs. 5’7″) and has a slightly longer standing reach (72″ vs. 71″). Even though Sterling isn’t known for his striking, he still has the advantage on the feet against Zalal. Sterling averages 1.42 more significant strikes per minute than Zalal. On the ground, Sterling lands 0.28 more takedowns per 15 minutes, but Zalal has a better takedown accuracy and takedown defense.

Sterling averages 84.5 fantasy points per contest, the third most on this card, but is still the eighth cheapest fighter at $7,800. In Sterling’s two wins at Featherweight, he has scored 107.4 and 114.9 points. He has totaled at least 100 fantasy points in four of his previous six contests. Recently, Zalal has found success with submissions, but he could struggle in that area against a skilled veteran like Sterling. If Sterling defends takedowns while displaying his improved striking on the feet, he should be able to have a successful outing.

Value Play

Joselyne Edwards ($7,400)

The co-main event of this card is a top-15 matchup at 135 pounds as No. 3 Norma Dumont faces No. 11 Joselyne Edwards. Dumont has won six straight while Edwards is on a four-fight winning streak, with all coming by finish. The winner of this fight could be a future title challenger.

Edwards has a three-inch reach advantage (70″ vs. 67″) while being an inch taller (5’8″ vs. 5’7″). On the feet, this fight favors Edwards, who averages more significant strikes per minute (4.61 vs. 3.89) and is more accurate (53% vs. 50%). Dumont is slightly better on the ground as she lands 0.13 more takedowns per 15 minutes, but Edwards has a 61 percent takedown defense.

Even though Edwards is only $7,400, that doesn’t accurately reflect her impact recentley. During her current winning streak, Edwards has recorded at least 100 fantasy points in each fight. When Edwards is aggressive, she has proved to be one of the best finishers in this division.

Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $300K Throwdown [$100K to 1st]