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/
Esteban Ribovics (Striker) vs Loik Radzhabov (Striker/Grappler)
I like Loik here. Esteban is a pretty wild fighter and I see Loik being the more conservative fighter here and earning a decision.
Radzhabov -250
Farid Basharat (Striker) vs Da'Mon Blackshear (Grappler)
Farid isn’t the greatest striker and wants to use his wrestler to win fights, but Blackshear has very good wrestling and scrambles very well. I can see him pulling this upset.
Blackshear +350 if you feel spicy
Jessica Pene (Grappler) vs Tabatha Ricci (Grappler)
This fight is going to be bad. At least there is Ricci fighting in this one..
Leomana Martinez (Striker/Grappler) vs Cameron Saaiman (Striker)
Another one that I can see as a complete toss up. Martinez isn’t great, but fights with a ton of heart. Saaiman scrambles very well and gets himself into good positions. Gonna be an interesting one.
Ian Garry (Striker) vs Kenan Song (Striker)
This is a gimme fight for Garry. You don’t want to see him lose this one.
Julian Marquez (Striker) vs Marc-André Barriault (Striker)
Whenever my man Julian fights, I gotta back him. He loves disc golf and so do I.
Marquez +125
Viviane Araujo (Striker) vs Amanda Ribas (Striker/Grappler)
One of the closest fights on the card. Ribas is going to try to use her pressure to win this one. Araujo just needs to keep her distance and be smart and she should win this.
Araujo +100
Derek Brunson (Striker/Wrestler) vs Dricus Du Plessis (Striker)
The fight vs Cannonier was very worrisome for Brunson. If he can’t wrestle Du Plessis here, then it’s going to be a long night. This is a fight Brunson would always win, so I am backing him here.
Brunson +180
Cody Garbrandt (Striker) vs Trevin Jones (Striker/Wrestler)
Sheesh Cody. Can’t believe you’re fighting Trevin Jones… I am still pulling for him, but man everyone knows the sauce to beat him. Get in a fire fight with him.
Garbrandt -175
Jamie Pickett (Striker) vs Bo Nickal (Wrestler)
It’s a BAD look if Bo loses this fight….
Jalin Turner (Striker) vs Mateusz Gamrot (Striker/Wrestler)
I am a big fan of Gamrot. This is a HUGE challenge for him. Jalin is a great striker and he will need to be amazing to be able to take down Gamrot. Will be a fun one!
Shavkat Rakhmonov (Well Rounded) vs Geoff Neal (Striker)
I really like Geoff. I hope he wins this one. Sucks he is fighting Shavkat here.
Valentina Shevchenko (Striker) vs Alexa Grasso (Striker/Grappler)
Here we go again… Not much I want to say about this one. Another Valentina win. 50-45.
Jon Jones (Well Rounded) vs Cyril Gané (Striker)
I think a lot of people are looking past Cyril here… They are all thinking about how he got outwrestled in the last fight and how he doesn’t watch tape and blah blah blah. He is an absolute animal of a heavyweight. He has elite movement and striking. This is a MAJOR test for Jon. Coming up to Heavyweight for the first time and fighting for the first time in 4 years? There are just too many things that are throwing me off of him.
Gane +155