The betting landscape for UFC Fight Night on May 3 reveals some fascinating trends, with underdogs receiving overwhelming support despite steep odds against them.
The bantamweight clash between Cory Sandhagen and former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo has emerged as the second most wagered contest on the card, according to recent betting data. Despite Sandhagen entering as a substantial -600 favorite, bettors are showing remarkable confidence in the underdog, with Figueiredo attracting an impressive 81% of bets and 75% of the handle at +425 odds.
Even more striking is the overwhelming support for Jeremy Stephens, who has captured an extraordinary 95% of tickets and 99% of the money at +425 odds, making him the most backed fighter on the entire card despite his underdog status.
The most action-packed contest appears to be Reinier de Ridder versus Bo Nickal, which tops the list of most wagered fights. Proposition bets for this matchup include the intriguing scenario of de Ridder submitting Nickal, available at +750, though such an outcome seems unlikely given Nickal's wrestling credentials.
According to analysis from Statbet, these types of underdog betting patterns often emerge when casual fans look for high-value returns, especially in high-profile fights where name recognition plays a significant role.
Other popular proposition bets include Nickal securing an early finish at +950 and the more specific submission under 1.5 rounds at an enticing +2500. For the main event, while a decision victory for Sandhagen seems most likely based on fighting styles, the betting public is leaning toward a finish.
The Stephens knockout proposition at +800 has also gained traction, though bettors should approach such longshot wagers with caution rather than expecting miracle outcomes in the neighborhood of 2500-to-1 odds.
