Will There Be a Betting Upset at UFC 273 (Assessing Korean Zombie, Aljamain Sterling, Gilbert Burns Betting Value)

UFC 273 is upon us with one of the most loaded cards of 2022.

There are two title fights on Saturday night in Jacksonville, Florida for the pay-per-view event and another high level potential championship eliminator bout all of them with wide odds. There is the Featherweight Championship bout in the main event with Alexander Volkanovski defending his belt against the Korean Zombie with the Bantamweight title rematch between interim champion Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling. The other bout is phenom Khazmat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns.

Is there a live underdog of the three highly anticipated matchups? Let's take a look at the path to an upset on Saturday night.

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook

Alexander Volkanovski (-760) vs. Korean Zombie (+510)

The Korean Zombie is stepping in for Max Holloway, stopping the third bout between Volkanovski and the former featherweight champion. The South Korean fighter has won three of his last four bouts dating back to 2019, his most recent being a five round decision victory over Dan Ige.

However, there are many questions about his ability to fight at an elite level given his old age and his opponent. At 35, the Featherweight is going up against one of the stiffest champions to come through the UFC in Volkanovski.

The Aussie is 23-1 professionally and outside of a few nervy moments in his last fight agaisnt Brian Ortega, he rolled to a decision victory. The Korean Zombie does have some finishing upside, which can test the champs chin, but there's a reason he is such an underdog, because Volk has shown an incredible ability to stay out of serious trouble to date, sporting a 60% strike defense rate, per UFCStats.com and 70% takedown defense.

The challenger has finished his opponent in 14 of his 17 wins, and will be looking to do so again here.

It's going to be a tough test against 'The Great' but if you buy in the power and finishing ability of Korean Zombie at a cool +510, he has shown the ability to do so. We'll see if back-to-back five round fights can help Korean Zombie prep for this one on relatively short notice.

Petr Yan (-470) vs. Aljamain Sterling (+345)

This is a rematch of last March's Bantamweight title bout that closed a near pick 'em. Yan infamously had a decision victory all but wrapped up before he kneed Sterling illegally, getting himself disqualified.

Sterling ended up winning the belt, but has been out of action since then while Yan won the interim belt against Cory Sandhagen this past fall. Now, we get the rematch with the odds vastly different. Is it warranted?

I say yes.

Sterling may have some finishing upside early, he has won 8 of his 20 career fights by submission, Yan is a cut above him and I expect him to rightfully grab the belt off of 'Funk Master's' wasit.

Yan is an elite technical grappler, posting an 89% takedown defense and is the far superior striker, averaging more than 1 strike per minute. Sterling has injury concerns, and I think Yan is the better fighter. While he's lined shorter than the other two, this win would surprise me more than the others.

Khazmat Chimaev (-565) vs. Gilbert Burns (+405)

This is a massive showcase fight for Chimaev, who has surged up the welterweight ranks and may be in line for a title shot against Kamaru Usman if he makes quick work against Burns, a former title contender.

The Swedish fighter has won all four of his UFC fights, three of which were finished in the first round. However, he will face his stiffest challenger in Burns, who presents a ton of grappling talent and can compete on the ground.

Burns is 20-4 on his career and bounced back after losing his first career title shot with a convincing decision victory over Stephen Thompson this past summer. While I'm not calling for an upset just yet, this line does seem to be disrespecting a veteran like Burns, who has finishing upside on the ground.

'Borz' has fought just once in the last year and Burns has had a decorated career in the octagon, I wouldn't count him out just yet.

You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!