FREE 09/06 UFC Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

UFC Paris presents a compelling mix of high-upside plays and strategic roster construction challenges across 26 fighters. With an average salary of $8,027, pricing is relatively tight, creating interesting decisions between the eight fighters projected for heavy ownership and the four strong value candidates offering 8x+ upside. The main card features several intriguing storylines, including potential title eliminator implications that could drive both scoring and ownership dynamics.

Roster construction will likely hinge on identifying the right balance between chalk plays and differentiation spots, particularly in matchups like Oki vs Jones where experience meets athleticism, and Bukauskas vs Craig where both fighters carry notable risk factors. The slate offers multiple paths to lineup success, whether you’re targeting high-floor veterans or betting on explosive finishes from rising prospects. Let’s break down our top plays for this slate.

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

Top Play: Oumar Sy ($9,500)

Sy faces an ideal bounce-back spot against Brendson Ribeiro in his hometown of Paris, where the emotional advantage and crowd support should fuel his most motivated performance. His wrestling-heavy approach showed clear effectiveness in Round 2 of his last fight, where he controlled Alonzo Menifield for over four minutes through takedowns and cage control. That grappling foundation remains his path to consistent fantasy scoring, especially against Ribeiro who comes off a loss and lacks the defensive wrestling to neutralize Sy’s ground game.

The $9,500 price point reflects his recent setback rather than his underlying skill set, creating a value opportunity on a fighter with legitimate finishing ability in both grappling and striking exchanges. Sy’s 12-fight professional record includes multiple finishes, and facing another fighter seeking redemption sets up an aggressive pace that favors his physical advantages. His 40% optimal lineup inclusion at moderate ownership provides excellent tournament leverage, particularly with the home crowd factor that historically elevates French fighters’ performance levels at UFC Paris events.

Other Premium Options

• Modestas Bukauskas ($9,300, Own: 39.8%)
• Sam Hughes ($9,200, Own: 31.3%)

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

Top Play 1: Sam Patterson ($8,700)

Patterson continues to showcase devastating finishing ability with three consecutive first-round knockouts since his UFC debut loss, most recently dismantling Danny Barlow with patient counter-striking before landing the decisive overhand right. His improved fight IQ has been evident in these performances, showing restraint against aggressive opponents before capitalizing on openings with fight-ending power. The welterweight has demonstrated excellent timing and distance management, allowing him to absorb minimal damage while setting up his knockout sequences.

Waters presents an ideal stylistic matchup for Patterson’s counter-striking approach, as the undefeated prospect tends to press forward with volume striking that creates opportunities for well-timed counters. Patterson’s recent first-round finishes have generated elite fantasy scoring, and his $8,700 salary provides solid value considering his proven finishing upside and current momentum. The moderate ownership at 41.8% offers tournament differentiation potential while his 32.9% optimal rate reflects strong underlying fundamentals for GPP construction.

Top Play 2: Mason Jones ($8,600)

Jones continues to showcase the improvements he made during his time away from the UFC, dominating Jeremy Stephens with a comprehensive wrestling-heavy approach that generated excellent fantasy production. His 8-of-12 takedown success rate and over six minutes of control time demonstrated the grappling refinements he developed through four straight regional wins, while his striking remained sharp enough to keep opponents honest. The 30-year-old looked reinvigorated in his return fight, displaying the kind of well-rounded skill set that translates directly into consistent DFS scoring.

The matchup against Bolaji Oki presents an ideal spot for Jones to build on his momentum, facing an opponent with just three UFC fights under his belt who lacks the experience to handle Jones’ evolved wrestling pressure. Oki’s 2-1 record suggests vulnerability against seasoned competition, and Jones’ ability to control fights through takedowns and ground control should produce reliable fantasy points throughout the contest. At $8,600 with moderate projected ownership, Jones offers the perfect combination of proven performance and tournament leverage for lineups seeking a dependable floor with finishing upside.

Other Mid-Range Options

• Mauricio Ruffy ($8,800, Own: 38.7%)
• Andreas Gustafsson ($8,300, Own: 32.1%)

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

Top Play: Nassourdine Imavov ($7,800)

Imavov continues to build momentum off his stunning knockout victory over Israel Adesanya, establishing himself as the clear number one contender at middleweight. His recent four-fight winning streak against elite competition including Adesanya, Brendan Allen, Jared Cannonier, and Roman Dolidze demonstrates his ability to perform under pressure against top-tier opponents. The knockout power he displayed against Adesanya adds a new dimension to his traditionally volume-based striking approach, creating multiple paths to fantasy scoring through both sustained output and finishing potential.

His $7,800 salary provides solid value considering his proven ability to deliver in high-stakes matchups and his current positioning as the division’s top contender. The moderate ownership at 31.6% creates tournament leverage opportunities, while his 26.9% optimal rate suggests strong underlying fundamentals for cash games. Imavov’s aggressive striking style and improved finishing ability generate consistent fantasy scoring, making him an excellent core play across all contest formats.

Other Value Options

• Rinat Fakhretdinov ($7,900, Own: 19.0%)
• Bolaji Oki ($7,600, Own: 19.3%)

Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Fighter Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!