FREE 07/26 UFC Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

UFC Abu Dhabi presents an intriguing DFS puzzle with 24 fighters averaging $8,100 in salary — a relatively tight pricing structure that demands careful roster construction. With eight fighters projected for 30%+ ownership, chalk avoidance becomes critical, especially when you consider we also have eight strong value candidates capable of 8x returns. The key storylines revolve around aging veterans like Robert Whittaker looking to prove they still belong in title contention, while rising prospects seek to make their mark against established competition.

The pricing appears more reasonable than typical UFC slates, with fewer egregiously overpriced favorites creating better leverage opportunities. Matchups like Salikhov vs Leal and Almabayev vs Ochoa offer contrasting styles that could produce either quick finishes or high-volume striking affairs — exactly the type of variance that creates tournament-winning leverage. With solid value options available and multiple paths to differentiation, this slate rewards both contrarian thinking and sharp matchup analysis. Let’s break down our top plays for this slate.

Premium Tier ($9,000-$10,000)

Top Play: Carlos Leal ($9,400)

Leal continues to showcase devastating finishing ability with his perfect 11-0 record in KO/TKO victories, including his dominant first-round destruction of Alex Moreno in March. The 30-year-old Brazilian has looked impressive through his two UFC appearances, consistently pushing forward with aggressive striking that overwhelms opponents who struggle to find answers for his relentless pressure and power punching.

His matchup against the aging Muslim Salikhov presents an excellent opportunity to exploit his slight reach advantage while targeting an opponent who has shown vulnerability to younger, more explosive fighters. At $9,400, Leal’s 37.2% optimal lineup rate reflects strong tournament value despite moderate ownership at 34.3%, positioning him as a core play who offers both a reliable floor through his aggressive style and massive ceiling through his proven finishing ability.

Other Premium Options

• Shara Magomedov ($9,600, Own: 30.9%)
• Steven Nguyen ($9,200, Own: 28.3%)

Mid-Range Tier ($8,000-$8,999)

Top Play 1: Ibo Aslan ($8,900)

Aslan brings devastating finishing power that has produced spectacular results in two of his three UFC appearances, scoring knockout victories over Anton Turkalj and Raffael Cerqueira through aggressive striking combinations. His explosive approach creates immediate scoring opportunities through significant strikes and potential finish bonuses, while his willingness to engage early generates consistent fantasy points even in shorter fights. The light heavyweight’s power-punching style has proven effective at this level, and his aggressive mentality ensures high-volume striking output from the opening bell.

The matchup against Billy Elekana presents an excellent opportunity for Aslan to return to his finishing ways, facing an opponent who will likely engage in the striking exchanges where Aslan thrives. His 36% optimal lineup rate at moderate ownership levels creates strong tournament value, particularly given his proven ability to deliver massive scores through early finishes. At $8,900, Aslan offers the perfect combination of finishing upside and volume potential that makes him an elite play in a light heavyweight division known for explosive performances.

Top Play 2: Nikita Krylov ($8,700)

Krylov brings proven finishing ability into a favorable matchup against Bodgan Guskov, who has shown vulnerability in his defensive positioning. The Ukrainian veteran carries knockout power in both hands and has demonstrated excellent submission skills throughout his career, creating multiple paths to high-scoring fantasy performances. His experience advantage becomes crucial here, as Guskov’s aggressive style often leaves openings that Krylov has consistently capitalized on against similar opponents.

The $8,700 salary provides strong tournament value considering Krylov’s finishing upside and Guskov’s tendency to engage in firefights. Krylov’s grappling credentials give him a clear path to control if the striking exchanges become unfavorable, while his improved takedown defense has made him more well-rounded in recent appearances. At moderate projected ownership, he offers the perfect combination of skill advantage and leverage potential for GPP formats.

Other Mid-Range Options

• Amanda Ribas ($8,600, Own: 16.2%)
• Robert Whittaker ($8,400, Own: 40.8%)

Value Tier ($7,000-$7,999)

Top Play: Reinier de Ridder ($7,800)

De Ridder continues to showcase elite finishing ability across multiple disciplines, building a perfect 3-0 UFC record with three different stoppage methods. His recent destruction of highly-touted prospect Bo Nickal demonstrated both his striking power and grappling acumen, earning a Performance of the Night bonus while completely flipping the narrative around his UFC trajectory. The former two-division ONE Championship titleholder has seamlessly translated his success to the octagon, displaying improved striking to complement his world-class submission game.

His ability to adapt mid-fight creates consistent scoring opportunities through multiple avenues, whether controlling positions on the ground or landing significant strikes in exchanges. The $7,800 salary provides strong value considering his proven finishing rate and the likelihood of extended control time against opponents who struggle with his size and grappling pressure. At moderate ownership levels, de Ridder offers tournament upside with a reliable floor built on his technical superiority and momentum from back-to-back statement victories.

Other Value Options

• Said Nurmagomedov ($7,900, Own: 19.8%)
• Tabatha Ricci ($7,600, Own: 19.4%)

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