Fantasy UFC Freeroll at DraftKings!

[ttanaka]

Hi everyone, there's a $1,000 fantasy MMA freeroll at DraftKings that you all can participate in. It's available to everyone who uses the link below. Great way to try out DraftKings (awesome site) and no deposit necessary.

I've been playing the fantasy UFC contests at DraftKings since the inaugural event (Jones vs Cormier) and it's a blast and really easy. You have a set salary amount and you build your team of 5 fighters out of the possible 20 while staying under the salary cap.

Check it out and good luck!

$1,000 Fantasy MMA Free at DraftKings - Click here!

The event is UFC Fight Night 60 (Benson Henderson vs Brandon Thatch), Sat Feb 14, 7pm PT, televised for free on Fox Sports 1!

[givememyleg]

Cool, never tried this before. Just drafted a team. One time!

[ttanaka]

Carl - I have some strategy tips for you in general that I've learned.

#1 - First round finish pays 100 pts which is huge. So I always look for potential for first round finishes first. This card doesn't have heavyweights (or Rhonda Rousey!), but if it did, I would look at that fight closely and probably have one of them on my team. I'll look at light heavyweight fights next. I'll also try to identify the weak fighters and see if they can get finished in 1st or 2nd round based on matchup. You can take a look at sportsbook odds to get an idea of favorites, but that won't tell you when a fight will get finished. Some matchups, you know one guy is gonna get killed but if he's got a solid chin, he can survive. Looking at the over/under at the sportsbook is interesting though and I'm paying attention to that now.

[ttanaka]

#2 - If you can't identify any easy round 1 or 2 knockout/submission win, I'll look at fights or fighters that can tally up points.

You get a 1/2 point for every significant strike. So main event fights have 5 rounds - those 2 extra rounds give both fighters more time to land more strikes. It's like having an extra quarter for your players in fantasy football - good edge.

Having a loser in a 5 round fight that goes the distance can still tally you a decent amount of points.

Also, lighter weight fighters - flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight divisions - those guys have a lot of energy and can throw a lot of strikes in a 3 round fight - I'll look at those matchups for volume.

[givememyleg]

nice, solid strategy. I didn't even know about the rules/points, guess I better read them! def makes sense to look for the extra points.

[ttanaka]

Haha - yeah take a look at the rules at some point! But this is a freeroll so doesn't matter, just put together a lineup and get in there. I'm surprised no one else has responded to this thread - this is a no brainer for everyone - doesn't even matter if you know anything about UFC.

Anyway - Carl, for future fantasy ufc tourneys (especially if you pay an entry fee) - putting some attention on strategy will be +EV. We are VERY EARLY in the fantasy UFC game - just weeks in - and most people have no clue and are just betting randomly (like you!!!).

You know UFC, but now pay specific attention to every fighter - make a mental note of fighters that look really good or look really shitty - remember these factors for future fantasy lineups! It makes every UFC event way more interesting and exciting!

[ttanaka]

#3 - Sacrificial Lamb - Fantasy UFC is based on a salary cap, you have to put together a team within your salary constraints. To select an odds favorite fighter to be on your team (like some bad ass who's gonna knock someone out in the 1st round!), you will most likely have to pay a premium for that fighter, exhausting your salary cap.

Depending on the matchups of the event, it can be a good strategy to find one of the bottom, cheapest fighters on the card so you can afford other strong fighters.

I've seen winning lineups with one sacrificial lamb allowing the rest of the roster to earn huge points.