We’re down to the final UFC event of the year, as UFC 282 looks to close out 2022 with a loaded main card this Saturday live from the confines of Sin City as it should be. Several fighters are currently seen as underdogs in their respective matches as we speak, including the main event itself. However, each of these underdogs shouldn’t be taken lightly and could net a nice payout for their backers on the betting front this weekend.

Nitrobetting is here to train bettors in the realm of combat sports with in-depth coverage of the latest UFC events. This time, let’s take a closer look at the three best sleeper candidates to win their respective bouts in UFC 282: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev, as well as their corresponding MMA odds to win the latest premium live MMA event set to take place in the T-Mobile Arena.

Top UFC 282 Sleeper Picks

For undisputed light heavyweight gold! ????@JanBlachowicz meets @AnkalaevM for the LHW throne SATURDAY ???? #UFC282

10pmET / 7pmPT on @ESPNPlus PPV ???????? pic.twitter.com/VqUzrmzdgM

— UFC (@ufc) December 9, 2022

READ MORE: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev UFC 282 Odds and Preview

Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev

• UFC 282 Odds: Jan Blachowicz (+255) // Magomed Ankalaev (-323)

In what has now become a light heavyweight title bout after Jiri Prochazka relinquished his title due to a shoulder injury, the main event between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev is now upgraded to a championship fight for the vacant title. Although Ankalaev is the UFC’s hottest fighter with an 18-fight win streak, his opponent is no pushover. After all, Blachowicz is a former light heavyweight champion with one successful title defense just recently and is hot off a third-round TKO win over Aleksandar Rakic this past May. The Polish pugilist has made it to the top of the UFC mountain already, and it’s this experience that could give Blachowicz the key edge in his showdown against Ankalaev.

UFC 282 Betting Pick: Jan Blachowicz

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Alex Morono

• UFC 282 Odds: Santiago Ponzinibbio (-192) // Alex Morono (+159)

There’s a lot of animosity between Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier leading up to their fight in MSG this Saturday. Poirier is a crowd favorite with tons of epic UFC matches under his belt already and enters his fight against “Iron” Mike with a chip on his shoulder having lost his title fight against Charles Oliveira. Chandler, meanwhile, only has four bouts in the Octagon with a 3-2 record. However, he’s the one with more momentum after picking up a victory over former lightweight champ Tony Ferguson this past May. In hindsight, Poirier’s last three wins aren’t as convincing, either, with a pair of wins over an over-the-hill Conor McGregor and a victory over the similarly declining Dan Hooker.

UFC 282 Betting Pick: Alex Morono

Bryce Mitchell vs. Ilia Topuria

• UFC 282 Odds: Bryce Mitchell (+116) // Ilia Topuriaz (-139)

Consider this as a sentimental sleeper pick for the great Frankie Edgar who, at 41 years of age, is on borrowed time in the UFC. “The Answer” has been befuddled by his opponents for the past three years, going just 1-4 during this stretch near the twilight of his celebrated career. Boston native Chris Gutierrez, on the other hand, has six victories and one draw since his first official UFC fight in 2019. Gutierrez has 10 fewer years of wear and tear on his body as well, but maybe Edgar still has one surprise win up his sleeve before calling it quits; similar to his split-decision victory over Pedro Munhoz back in August 2020 as Frankie’s bantamweight debut that also earned him Fight of the Night honors.

UFC 282 Betting Pick: Bryce Mitchell/p>

Where to Bet on MMA with Crypto

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more MMA previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest MMA betting odds on our crypto sportsbook.