MMA is a sport based on opportunity and split second decision making. The breakdowns that we try to focus on here will be looking at stylistic differences between fighters and how they will impact the card. Although the breakdowns won't usually be long, they'll have info on fighter strengths and weaknesses and how we expect them to be exploited. Towards the end of the article there will be the five best bets on the slate for you to tail!
All my information is from https://fightodds.io/ and https://paydirtdfs.com/mma-ranks-and-leverage-model/
Carlos Ulberg (Striker) vs Nick Negumereanu (Striker)
What a fun fight to start the night! Ulberg is an absolute specimen of a human. The problem is that he just sucks in the UFC. He is KO or bust. Give me the dog.
Negumereanu +110
Julio Arce (Striker) vs Montel Jackson (Striker)
Another one where I am thinking about the dog. Montel is nothing special. He struggles with guys like Julio. Julio is going to fight his game and get a decision win.
Arce +170
Michael Trizano (Striker) vs Seung Woo Choi (Striker)
I am a big Trizano fan, but after seeing how drained he looked after the weigh-ins, I don’t know if I can pick him here. He missed weight and I know that affects fighters in these fights.
Choi -175
Karolina Kowalkiewicz (Striker) vs Silvana Gomez Juarez (Striker)
We all know where I am going here. Give me my girl.
Kowalkiewicz -105
Ottman Azaitar (Striker) vs Matt Frevola (Striker/Wrestler)
This is one of the ones where it will go Azaitar’s way if it ends in the first round or Frevola’s way if it makes it out of the first.
Andre Petroski (Wrestler) vs Wellington Turman (Grappler)
One of the most disappointing guys from TUF gets another chance? Give me Turman once Andre gasses out.
Turman +160
Erin Blanchfield (Well Rounded) vs Molly McCann (Striker)
It is finally time for the Meatball to go back in her sauce. The hype train finally ends.
Dominick Reyes (Striker) vs Ryan Spann (Striker/Grappler)
I pick against Spann every time he fights and he always wins. Not again, right?
Reyes -200
Renato Moicano (Striker/Grappler) vs Brad Riddell (Striker)
I think Riddell is the better striker in this one. The problem is that this isn’t boxing. I think Moicano has an impact with his grappling. Too close to pick for me.
Daniel Hooker (Striker) vs Claudio Puelles (Striker/Grappler)
This is another one that I think is a bit too close to call. Dan Hooker has always struggled versus the top guys. Puelles has won five straight and is starting to make his way up. It's going to be interesting to see who pulls it off.
Frankie Edgar (Well Rounded) vs Chris Gutierrez (Striker)
I’ve been a fan of Chris for a while now. It stinks that this is Frankie’s last fight. I think Chris gets a KO to finish Frankie off.
Dustin Poirier (Well Rounded) vs Michael Chandler (Striker/Wrestler)
BANGER. Both of these men are going to put on a show. I think Dustin wins this one, but I also think Michael is going to hit Dustin with some BOMBS.
Poirer -230
Carla Esparza (Wrestler) vs Weili Zhang (Striker)
Going against the popular opinion here, but I think the champ can retain here. Weili has never really shown she can stop the takedown and that is all Carla is going to do. Look for a boring fight, but a win for the champ.
Esparza +280
Israel Adesanya (Striker) vs Alex Pereira (Striker)
How can I bet against the champ here? I know Alex has beat Izzy two times already, but it hasn’t been in the Octagon and Izzy is a MAN in the Octagon. He will know what to do to get the dub. He is a much smarter fighter than he was the two other times fighting Alex. And Still.
Adesanya -230