The Insane Prop Bets of UFC on ESPN 3

UFC on ESPN 3 was littered with a number of highlight-reel finishes, and anytime such a situation, prop bettors lick their chops. That was the case on Saturday at the Target Center in Minneapolis, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to Minnesota for the first time since 2012. These were the five most profitable prop bets to cash:

Joseph Benavidez Wins in Round 2 (+800)

In the co-main event, Benavidez proved he was the No. 1 contender in the UFC flyweight division and finished Jussier Formiga via second-round technical knockout. They met previously in 2013 -- Benavidez won by first-round knockout -- and though it took him an extra round in the rematch, he still managed to get the job done. As a result, Benavidez appears to be next in line for UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo. The prop on Benavidez winning in the second round hit at +800, and the prop on his winning by TKO cashed at +385.

Vinc Pichel Wins by Decision (+330)

Pichel put together a workmanlike performance and took a unanimous decision from Roosevelt Roberts in a three-round lightweight showcase. “The Ultimate Fighter 15” semifinalist chose to grapple with Roberts in a bid to tire him out in the first round. The tactic allowed Pichel to pull away in the fight over the final 10 minutes. The prop on Pichel winning by decision hit at +330.

Dalcha Lungiambula Wins in Round 3 (+800)

Lungiambula got his UFC career off to an explosive start with a vicious third-round technical knockout of Dequan Townsend in their preliminary light heavyweight tilt. Lungiambula wrestled with Townsend to take the first two rounds, but he started the third with a bang. There, he knocked Townsend to the mat and finished him with punches and elbows on the ground. The prop on Lungiambula winning in the third round hit at +800.

Amanda Ribas Wins in Round 2 (+1025)

Ribas made a successful organizational debut, as she submitted Emily Whitmire in the second round of their undercard clash at 115 pounds. Ribas managed to take down Whitmire and control her on the mat to win the first round, then grounded her again in the second. She advanced to the back and cinched the rear-naked choke for the tapout 2:10 into Round 2. The prop on Ribas winning in the second round cashed at +1025, and the prop on her winning by submission hit at +550.

Maurice Greene Wins in Round 1 (+500)

Greene did not waste any time, as he brutally knocked out Junior Albini in the first round of their preliminary heavyweight confrontation. “The Crochet Boss” moved to a perfect 3-0 inside the Octagon and has the look of a promising up-and-coming fighter in an aging division. Albini, meanwhile, dropped to 1-4 inside the Octagon. The prop on Greene winning in the first round cashed at +500 odds, and the prop on his winning by TKO scored at +325.

Adam Martin is a mixed martial arts journalist who has been covering the sport since 2011. He is currently the lead odds analyst for Sherdog.com, as well as the lead staff writer for MMAOddsbreaker.com. Adam is also the co-host of “The Parting Shot Podcast” on iTunes. His favorite fight of all-time is Dan Henderson-Mauricio Rua, and he wishes Pride Fighting Championships never died. Adam is based out of Toronto, and he is a graduate of the University of Toronto and Centennial College. Get in touch with him on Twitter at @MMAdamMartin.