SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 221 GAMBLING GUIDE

There are some fantastic scraps going down this weekend and just in the nick of time, yours truly is here to deliver another fantastic gambling guide!

MAIN CARD
Yoel Romero Vs Luke Rockhold (MW)
At one time it seemed Yoel Romero was destined to have the title round his waste but a few problems, and apparent cardio issues, shattered his ‘crusher’ style image. Rockhold still hasn’t gotten over his loss to Mike Bisping and will be looking to put on another high level display against a more formidable opponent than Dave Branch. Expect Romero to gas around round 3 after eating a few kicks to the body and losing via unanimous decision.
WINNER: Rockhold
METHOD: Decision

Mark Hunt Vs Curtis Blaydes (HW)
This is an interesting bout, hard hitter with epic takedown defence versus young wrestling stand out. Will Curtis Blaydes buckle under the hometown fans who will be out in force to support his opponent. Hunt is now of an age and point in his career where the thought of retiring must be looming, especially with injuries and ongoing issues with his employers. We do think there’s life in the old dog and Blaydes might be seeing stars just before the end of round 2.
WINNER: Hunt
METHOD: KO/TKO

Tai Tuivasa Vs Cyril Asker (HW)
Asker is no push over but this match seems to be another showcase for the Oz native. Granted we’ve not seen too much of Tuivasa to make us think he’ll produce something amazing but he should get the win. He might even try his luck with another flying knee!
WINNER: Tuivasa
METHOD: KO/TKO

Jake Matthews Vs Li Jingliang (WW)
On a card full of Australian MMA stars it’s a given that at least one or two will come up short. Jingliang is an Asian star on the rise and it won’t be Matthews who stops the hype train just yet.
WINNER: Jingliang
METHOD: KO/TKO

Tyson Pedro Vs Saparbek Safarov (LHW)
Similar to Tai Tuivasa, we think the UFC is keen to make Tyson Pedro more of a household name in his home country, and for that reason fans should see him pull of a submission.
WINNER: Pedro
METHOD: Submission

PREMLIM CARD (Fox Sport 1)
Damien Brown Vs Dong Hyun Kim (LW)
After a terrible start to his UFC career, Dong Hyun Kim (not to be confused with ‘The Stun Gun’) seems to be on the right track in terms of solid performances. ‘Maestro’ should produce another on the night and take home a decision victory.
WINNER: Kim
METHOD: Decision

Rob Wilkinson Vs Israel Adesanya (MW)
Although the calibre of his opponents haven’t been that high, there is no denying Adesanya’s record of 11 fights and 11 knockouts. All eyes will be on the Nigerian native in his UFC debut to see if he suffers from the dreaded octagon jitters against veteran ‘Razor’ Rob Wilkinson. We can’t see it happening though and expect nothing short of a terrifying stoppage!
WINNER: Adesanya
METHOD: KO/TKO

Jeremy Kennedy Vs Alexander Volkanovski (LW)
A lot of pundits are predicting local hero Volkanovski to win quite easily here but we aren’t sure that will be the case. It will be a matter of who impresses the judges the most on the night. A tough one to call. Leave this one off your accumulator.
WINNER: Kennedy
METHOD: Decision

Jussier Formiga Vs Ben Nguyen (FLY)
Nguyen should do enough to scrape a win over the durable Brazilian fighter. Probably won’t be the most electrifying bout on the card but you never know.
WINNER: Decision
METHOD: Nguyen

PRELIM CARD (UFC Fight Pass)
Ross Pearson Vs Mizuto Hirota (LW)
Pearson, a former TUF winner, seasoned UFC vet and all around nice guy is at a crossroads in his career. The fact he now lives in Australia has played a part in him getting back on this UFC card but ‘The Real Deal’ has to win this one. If he doesn’t the UFC won’t be able to justify keeping him on their roster. We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed.
WINNER: Pearson
METHOD: Decision

Teruto Ishihara Vs Jose Alberto Quiñónez (BW)
Ishihara ticks all the boxes required to be a superstar – style, cool hair, swagger, a love for women but his performances in the octagon haven’t lived up to the hype and he has at times, struggled against opponents he should have dealt with much easier. Training at Team Alpha Male doesn’t seem to have improved his game and unless he comes out looking like a different fighter he’ll struggle against Quinonez.
WINNER: Alberto Quiñónez
METHOD: Decision

Luke Jumeau Vs Daichi Abe (WW)
‘The Jedi’ will need to awaken the force as Japanese standout Daichi Abe will be looking to bounce back from his last outing.
WINNER: Jumeau
METHOD: Decision