Featherweights David Onama and Gabriel Santos look to fight their way back in the win column as these two prodigious talents square off in a featured undercard attraction on the UFC Fight Night card this Saturday.
UFC odds have shifted going into the fight toward -230 favorite Santos. Onama comes in a +190 underdog but is as live as they come. These two look to develop into major players at featherweight, so they can't afford a losing streak.
Check out how I’m calling Onama vs. Santos, and what to look out for ahead of their fight this Saturday, June 24.
Onama vs Santos fight odds
Onama vs Santos method of victory odds
| Method of Victory | David Onama | Gabriel Santos |
|---|---|---|
| To win by KO/TKO | +480 | +500 |
| To win by Points | +550 | +230 |
| To win by Submission | +1,100 | +250 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook on June 24, 2023.
Onama vs Santos picks
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Onama vs Santos betting preview
When the odds were first released for this bout, Santos was the underdog. Since then, he’s surged ahead to become a moderate favorite. Even though Santos is coming off a split-decision loss to Lerone Murphy, he turned in a strong performance on short notice against a very good opponent.
Key to his strategy against Onama will be his takedown game, which was on full display against Murphy. Santos landed five takedowns in that fight, and before joining the UFC, he had four submission finishes.
He is a BJJ specialist that doesn’t mind taking a few shots and showing his toughness in the stand-up but can be a tremendous threat once he gets his opponents on the ground.
Despite the surging odds, the former LFA featherweight champion has his work cut out for him. Onama hits like a truck and is extremely dangerous early on in fights. That being said, Santos’ takedowns and grappling should be enough to task Onama’s questionable cardio and he should be able to score multiple takedowns due to Onama’s subpar takedown defense.
The dangerous Onama is also hoping to rebound from a loss. Last August, Onama dropped a majority decision to Nate Landwehr in a savage war.
In that fight, Onama nearly finished Landwehr in the first, but Landwehr recovered, getting the better of him for the rest of their incredible battle. It’s almost been a year since that fight, and it was the kind of battle that shortens a career.
Onama benefits by having significant advantages in height, reach, and striking power. Working behind a thudding jab and sneaky power, Onama comes forward with plenty of pressure, ready to land big shots. Doubts linger about his cardio and takedown defense, as he’s lost both fights where he’s suffered multiple takedowns.
If the Ugandan can avoid the ground and keep this a conventional striking battle, he can win. Onama must be prepared for the grappling and needs his takedown defense to improve from the Landwehr fight.
Should he be unable to stop Santos from getting him on the ground, he won't have enough steam in his strikes to stop him.
Onama vs Santos tale of the tape
| David Onama | Gabriel Santos | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Age | 26 |
| 5-foot-11 | Height | 5-foot-9 |
| 145 lbs | Weight | 145 lbs |
| 74 inches | Reach | 70 inches |
| 10-2 (6 KOs) | Record | 10-1 (3 KOs) |
Onama vs Santos UFC prediction and best bet
Fight prediction: Gabriel Santos ML
This fight either ends with Onama winning early or Santos edging him out late. So much depends on that critical first round, being that Onama is going to be his most dangerous right from the start, and Santos will gain more steam as the fight goes along.
If I must pick someone, I’m rolling with Santos to score the takedowns and outpace Onama in a close fight.
Prediction: Gabriel Santos moneyline (-230 at DraftKings)
Fight best bet: Over 1.5 rounds
Three of Onama’s four UFC bouts have gone into the second round or beyond, and his opponent’s strategy will rely on neutralizing his striking with takedowns and ground control.
Santos hasn’t scored a first-round stoppage since 2019. In a tough fight to call, the best bet is that it goes Over 1.5 rounds.
Pick: Over 1.5 rounds (-190 at DraftKings)
