SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 242 GAMBLING GUIDE

The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi for the third time and brings with it a very intriguing main event! Following his victory over Conor McGregor, 'The Eagle' went all WWE and got himself a ban for his actions. That ban is now over and he faces Dustin Porier, an aggressive fighter who has found his home at lightweight and poses what we believe, more of a threat than people think.

Main Card (BT Sport Box Office)
Khabib Nurmagomedov (c) vs. Dustin Poirier (ic) ( Lightweight)
Nobody can deny Porier hasn't put the work in to get to this point in his career. Apart from a blip against Michael Johsnon Sept 2016, 'The Diamond' has looked borderline unstoppable. We all know what Khabib is capable of, and why he has the belt. A wrestling monster with the most overwhelming takedown attacks in the game. Being in Abu Dhabi, having his family octagon side along with various other important figures to support him, could add to the pressure on fight night. Khabib needs to stamp his authority and remind the division why he is No1. We could talk all day about cardio, stamina, what might happen in the later rounds but all we'll say is that Porier is a bit of a cash cow for us and there has been so many upsets in the UFC lately we are going to throw a curve ball at you and say Porier stops the Russian superstar, handing him his first ever loss.
WINNER: Porier
METHOD: KO/TKO

Edson Barboza vs. Paul Felder (Lightweight)
On paper this has the potential to be a right tear up. Barboza took the decision victory in 2015 but Felder should come out the blocks a lot quicker and confident this time as Barboza has been stopped recently. If the ref doesn't stop the fight from Felder getting cut to pieces, there is every chance he catches the Brazilian.
WINNER: Felder
METHOD: KO/TKO

Islam Makhachev vs. Davi Ramos (Lightweight)
Ramos is up against it here but don't be surprise if he manages to get a submission against an extremely tough opponent.
WINNER: Ramos
METHOD: Submission

Curtis Blaydes vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov (Heavyweight)
Abdurakhimov has one punch power but it won't be much use here as Blaydes should secure an early take down and finish him from top position at some point later in the bout.
WINNER: Blaydes
METHOD: KO/TKO

Mairbek Taisumov vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (Lightweight)
A very tough one to call. Leave this one off the accumulator. Most people will say Taisumov takes this but we think the Brazilian might just scrape it.
WINNER: Ferreira
METHOD: Decision

Preliminary Card (FX)
Joanne Calderwood vs. Andrea Lee (Women's Flyweight)
Lee will be too big for the popular Scottish fighter and will make it hard for Calderwood to land anything.
WINNER: Lee
METHOD: Decision

Zubaira Tukhugov vs. Lerone Murphy (Featherweight)
The young Manchester native has snuck under the radar but this is some achievement being handed your UFC debut on such an event. Tukhugov will be expected to walk through the Brit but we think he is going to shock the world.
WINNER: Murphy
METHOD: KO/TKO

Liana Jojua vs. Sarah Moras (Women's Bantamweight)
Purely based on the fact she has to win to stay in the UFC, Moras should do enough to get her hand raised against her debuting opponent. If not then its bye bye UFC career for sure.
WINNER: Moras
METHOD: Decision

Ottman Azaitar vs. Teemu Packalén (Lightweight)
Its been a while sine Packalen has fought but this could be the fact it has taken him so long to recover from being knocked out by Mark Diakese! Hats off to him for taking this one but the result is going to be the same. Don't blink.
WINNER: Azaiter
METHOD: KO/TKO

Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Belal Muhammad vs. Takashi Sato (Welterweight)
A huge fan of going the distance in his fights, Muhammad should be able to weather any storms Sato throws his way to take another points victory.
WINNER: Muhammad
METHOD: Decision

Nordine Taleb vs. Muslim Salikhov (Welterweight)
Salikhov's UFC career didn't get off to the best start but he bounced back and will look to impose his will against a fading Nordine Taleb.
WINNER: Salikhov
METHOD: KO/TKO

Omari Akhmedov vs. Zak Cummings (Middleweight)
A dead cert to go the distance so its just a case of who has the most in the tank and who impresses the judges the most.
WINNER: Akmedov
METHOD: Decision

Don Madge vs. Fares Ziam (Lightweight)
'The Smile Killer' probably won't be smiling after this one.
WINNER: Madge
METHOD: KO/TKO