SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 228 GAMBLING GUIDE

Feels like it’s been a while but after another decent outing at UFC 227, here we are with 228! Another great card that could see another Brit take home a title.

MAIN CARD
Tyron Woodley Vs Darren Till (WW)
Darren Till is a massive welterweight and its clear the weight cut has taken its toll (we all saw what happened last time) and his body is crying out for him to move up to middleweight. That being said, he is the real deal and come fight night, having made weight of course, you simply can’t deny he has a chance of beating Woodley. The current champ will be looking to do what he does best which is shoot in for takedowns (often from across the cage!) and press the Liverpudlian up against the fence for 15 minutes. It really could go either way this one. It is incredibly difficult not to get caught up in the Till hype here though, e can’t wait.
WINNER: Till
METHOD: KO/TKO

Nico Montaño Vs Valentina Shevchenko (STRAW)
It’s been nearly a year since Nico Montano surprised us all by winning TUF, will she display any nerves or octagon jitters against such an experienced opponent? Time will tell but we think ‘Bullet’ wins convincingly.
WINNER: Shevchenko
METHOD: Decision

Zabit Magomedsharipov Vs Brandon Davis (FW)
Couple of things to consider here...The first being Yair Rodriguez allegedly did everything he could to swerve face rising superstar Magomedsharipov (which resulted in him finally citing injury) and the second being that the Russian is undefeated in a whopping 11 fights. Fair play to Davis for stepping on late notice but it is an extremely big challenge that probably won’t end well for him.
WINNER: Magomedsharipov
METHOD: Submission

Jessica Andrade Vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz (STRAW)
It all comes down to who pushes the pace and convinces the judges they have done the most damage. On paper Andrade is the more aggressive fighter and should wear her opponent down over 3 rounds. Another one that will surely go the distance.
WINNER: Andrade
METHOD: Decision

Carla Esparza Vs Tatiana Suarez (STRAW)
Suarez is a huge favourite to take this one but even though former champ Esparza lost a very close split decision against Claudia Gadelha in her last outing, for us she showed glimpses of her former self, and we might witness a big upset here if Esparza has been doing more fine tuning in the gym.
WINNER: Esparza
METHOD: Decision

PRELIMS (FX)
Abdul Razak Alhassan Vs Niko Price (WW)
There is no doubt Niko Price deserves to be in the UFC and ‘The Hybrid’ is on a roll for sure, but Alhassan is an absolute tank and should prove to be too much in this exciting match up.
WINNER: Alhassan
METHOD: KO/TKO

Aljamain Sterling Vs Cody Stamann (BW)
Possibly a tougher one to call than Rivera Vs Dodson. Both athletes are amazing wrestlers so this all comes down to who has the bigger set of lungs. Sterling has arguably fought better opposition but Stamann looks unbeatable right now.
WINNER: Stamann
METHOD: Decision

Charles Byrd Vs Darren Stewart (MW)
British star Darren Stewart saved his UFC career by knocking out Eric Spicely in May following 3 back-to-back losses. Unfortunately for him, his employers have Charles Byrd, the guy who ruined Welshman John Phillips UFC debut, lined up next. A solid wrestler he’ll look to do exactly the same as he did against Phillips and shut down Stewart early doors, working the back.
WINNER: Byrd
METHOD: Submission

Jimmie Rivera Vs John Dodson (BW)
If we say this fight is going the distance then hopefully it won’t. A close one this, as both fighters aren’t really knockout artists nor do they seem to go looking for it. Maybe swerve this one on your accumulator.
WINNER: Dodson
METHOD: Decision

PRELIMS (UFC FIGHT PASS)
Diego Sanchez Vs Craig White (WW)
We say it how it is here at Smuggling Duds...Diego Sanchez should retire after this. Although the guy is a warrior and has brought us some epic scraps over the years we don’t really want to see the guy suffer another bad knockout. He’s been put to sleep in violent fashion in his last two outings and recent interviews clearly show the guy is punch drunk. That being said, former Cage Warriors stand out White has yet to find his feet in the UFC and although he took the Magny fight on short notice he looked well out of his depth. He might just get overwhelmed by the occasion again.
WINNER: Sanchez
METHOD: Decision

Jim Miller Vs Alex White (LW)
Let’s just start by saying Jim Miller had his first UFC bout in Oct 2008. Fight of the Night bonuses aside, uou can’t compete in the UFC for that long without having legitimate skills. Unfortunately, even though the guys is only 35, it appears farther time has caught up with him and he can’t seem to get the win. With 4 losses in a row now he must win this one to remain a UFC employee. Can he do it? We think he just might.
WINNER: Miller
METHOD: Decision

Irena Aldana Vs Lucie Pudilova (BW)
Will go the distance and probably won’t be very exciting.
WINNER: Pudilova
METHOD: Decision

Ryan Benoit Vs Roberto Sanchez (FLY)
Benoit looked the business in his last outing but he may not be as lucky this time round against submission specialist Sanchez.
WINNER: Sanchez
METHOD: Submission

Geoff Neal Vs Frank Camacho (WW)
The star of Dana White’s Contender Series should shine on the night and rise to the occasion.
WINNER: Neal
METHOD: KO/TKO