clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

How public is betting and DFS considerations for Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa

Stefan Struve and Tai Tuivasa meet in a heavyweight bout on the preliminary card of UFC 254 on October 24th. We break down how the betting public is picking the fight and the DFS pricing from DraftKings.

UFC 254: Khabib v Gaethje Weigh-in Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

UFC 254 on October 24th from Abu Dhabi is a stacked card. From the main event to this heavyweight battle, it’s a terrific night of fighting. And Stefan Struve and Tai Tuivasa on the undercard should have a hotly contested battle.

Stefan Struve is a giant fighter is coming in at 29-12, and off a loss to Ben Rothwell in December. In this one, look for his height and power to be an advantage. Struve however might prefer a ground battle against a stand-up machine in Tuivasa, but that 10-inch reach is formidable.

Tuivasa is a really interesting fighter. At 9-3, he has lost three straight, one of which included Junior dos Santos knocking him out in the second round. For the fight versus Struve, Tai would be wise to keep it close and be in Struve’s personal space all fight long. That combined with nice technique give him the best chance to win. Avoiding the ground would be wise as well.

Here are the betting splits at DraftKings Sportsbook for Stefan Struve vs. Tai Tuivasa at UFC 254 on October 24th.

Betting splits

Stefan Struve: +100, (32% of action, 36% of bets)
Tai Tuivasa: -124, (68% of action, 64% of bets)

DraftKings DFS Values

Stefan Struve: $8,300
Tai Tuivasa: $7,900

For DFS, the play is taking Tuivasa. With a manageable price point, his small upset potential is intriguing. Tack on a potential KO/TKO and we can get great value with room for more sure thing fights or a bigger underdog swing.

Struve meanwhile is a bit more lethargic and in DFS you are looking for points, takedowns and KO’s. The quicker the better. While Struve is a good fighter, his money is in the ground and if Tai can keep it tight, I don’t think he’ll get that chance.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ NH). NJ/PA/WV/IN/NH/IA/CO/IL only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.