Judges’ Cards: UFC 273 Volkanovski vs. Jung Expert Picks

UFC 273 features two title fights and an important bout between two top welterweight contenders. The massive card culminates with Alexander Volkanovski taking on Chan Sung Jung for the UFC featherweight belt. Here are our UFC expert picks for Volkanovski vs. Jung and more.

Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champ, puts his 20-fight winning streak on the line when he meets “The Korean Zombie” in the Octagon on Saturday. The Australian will seek to make his third successful title defense. Jung will fight for a UFC title for just the second time in a decade-plus with the promotion.

Our experts Kyle Smith and Themistoklis Alexis offer up their top picks and best bets for the UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. Jung card (odds via DraftKings).

UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. Jung Expert Picks

*Marcin Tybura has withdrawn from his bout with Jarizinho Rozenstruik due to illness.

UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. Jung Locks

Yan to win (-475 via DraftKings)

Petr Yan has a knack for adjusting to his opponents' tells as his fights wear on, and he's already got plenty to go on since he and Aljamain Sterling have already shared nearly 20 minutes in the cage. Whether Sterling chooses to stay upright or pursue takedowns come fight night, I expect Yan to keep his back off the fence, find his range quicker than he did the first time around, and leave no doubt as to who the world's pre-eminent bantamweight is. - Alexis

Volkanovski to win (-720 via DraftKings)

There aren't a lot of guarantees on this card, as even the biggest favorites have some blind spots that could be exploited. That said, I just don't see a way for "The Korean Zombie" to beat Volkanovski. Initially, I had thoughts that maybe Jung could catch the champ with some powerful shots, but after rewatching how badly he was outstruck by noted grappler Brian Ortega, I don't think Jung has the juice to win this one. - Smith

SEE ALSO: Volkanovski vs. Jung MMA Odds and Picks

UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. Jung Underdog Picks

Burns to win (+400 via Caesars)

The jury is still out on Khamzat Chimaev as far as I'm concerned, and if there's anyone who can properly test the lauded blue-chipper’s mettle, it's Gilbert Burns. In addition to his world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the more seasoned Burns boasts granite fists, and he'll need to sling them early and often if he's to derail Chimaev's hype train. Impressive as he's looked, Chimaev has yet to eat a clean haymaker over his brief UFC stint, and I wouldn't be surprised if he starts panic-wrestling should one of Burns' zingers put the Brazilian in the driver's seat. - Alexis

Tybura to win (+135 via DraftKings)

Just hear me out for a second. Sure, Jarizinho Rozenstriuk has the kind of jaw-melting power that can end the fight in an instant, but he's just not consistent enough for me to back him. Instead, Marcin Tybura is going to transform this bout into an ugly, grinding affair where he'll out-wrestle Rozenstriuk for three rounds en route to a hard-fought unanimous decision victory. - Smith

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UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. Jung Prop Picks

Tybura on points (+290 via PointsBet)

Tasked with a methodical kickboxer in Rozenstruik, Tybura will likely aim to give his foe the Curtis Blaydes treatment, make their clash a wrestling-heavy affair, and maybe even put his slept-on backpacking skills to work. Tybura's fallen to purebred strikers before, but Rozenstruik remains a work in progress in the grappling department. All this to say, though he’ll likely eat a little leather for his trouble, Tybura should manage to get this one to the mat and chew the clock en route to a lopsided decision. - Alexis

Chimaev to win by KO/TKO (+120 via DraftKings)

Burns isn’t the man to derail the Chimaev hype train. The Russian-born, Swedish-trained buzzsaw is going to bully Burns to the floor where he'll bury the Brazilian in an avalanche of ground-and-pound. It'll be the biggest win of Chimaev's career, and it might even vault him into title contention at some point in 2022. - Smith

SEE ALSO: Burns vs. Chimaev MMA Odds and Picks

UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. Jung Bold Predictions

Oleinik by submission in Round 1 (+310 via FanDuel)

All's well that ends well, and after changing dates and opponents in just a few short weeks, Aleksei Oleinik gets a matchup that plays right into his strengths in Jared Vanderaa. Times have been tough for the 44-year-old Oleinik, but he'll be sharing the cage with a plodding wrestler who, like him, will be looking to wade into close range once the cage door shuts. Simply put, Oleinik is an MMA anomaly and, with a little help from the heavyweight MMA gods, I doubt he'll need much time to enjoy himself at Vanderaa's expense and secure another one of his odd submissions. - Alexis

Sterling to win by submission (+1000 via DraftKings)

Although I expect Yan to leave Jacksonville with 10.45 pounds of gold wrapped around his waist, there's a tiny voice in the back of my brain that's screaming for a Sterling submission. If Aljo is going to pull off the upset, it'll likely be because he choked Yan into unconsciousness. A complete long shot? Yes, but definitely a worthwhile low-risk bet. - Smith

Where to Bet on UFC 273

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

• FanDuel Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• PointsBet
• BetMGM

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