SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 244 GAMBLING GUIDE

Every now and again a UFC card of epic proportions comes along. This is one of them even without the BMF belt on the line.

MAIN CARD (BT Sports)
Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz (Welterweight)
Now that we know this fight is definitely going ahead - the battle to win the title of BMF (Baddest Mother F*cker) will be determined once this bout ends. To fan favourites that literally don't give a shit about anything apart from scrapping and getting paid. Masvidal is surely already aa candidate for Fighter of the Year and has been on an absolute tear up. Putting away highly touted Darren Till, and absolutely destroying feared wrestler Ben Askren. Diaz is as tough as they come and will forever be know as the one who handed Conor McGregor his first UFC defeat. It actually pains us to bet against Nate Diaz but we just think Masvidal gets the win here.
WINNER: Masvidal
METHOD: Decison

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Darren Till (Middleweight)
Following a two fight skid at welterweight Liverpool native Till puts the nightmare of weight cutting behind him as he makes his debut at middleweight. Debuting at his new weight against a seasoned veteran in Kelvin Gastelum is a big task, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if Till ends up in very deep water. The UK fighter desperately needs a win. This is such a difficult call which has seen us change our mind on various occasions. We'd love to see Till get his middleweight career off to a good start but we think he might actually get stopped by the former TUF winner.
WINNER: Gastelum
METHOD: KO/TKO

Stephen Thompson vs. Vicente Luque (Welterweight)
'Wonder Boy' suffered his first ever defeat by KO against Anthony Pettis back in March and we think his opponents might just be starting to figure out the blueprint to get passed the kicks that have often determined how his fights go. Not sure if he’ll land a knockout blow but there is every chance Luque stops him.
WINNER: Luque
METHOD: KO/TKO

Derrick Lewis vs. Blagoy Ivanov (Heavyweight)
After fighting what felt like every month (including a title challenge), ‘The Black Beast’ took some much deserved time off but fans will be excited to see him back in the octagon. Two brick walls comes to mind here but as long as Lewis’ balls don’t get too hot he should be back with a bang!
WINNER: Lewis
METHOD: KO/TKO

Corey Anderson vs. Johnny Walker (Light Heavyweight)
Corey Anderson is no joke but he’s up against the future of MMA here. Walker is in the untouchable phase of his career where he’s cleaning out gate keepers. This one goes the same way as the others.
WINNER: Walker
METHOD: KO/TKO

Preliminary card (BT Sports)
Kevin Lee vs. Gregor Gillespie (Lightweight)
Just like Corey Anderson at Light Heavyweight, Kevin Lee up against the future of his division. Lee will give Gillespie a run for his money but it won’t be enough to sway the judges.
WINNER: Gillespie
METHOD: Decision

Shane Burgos vs. Makwan Amirkhani (Featherweight)
Possibly the toughest bout to call on this card. Definitely swerve on your accumulator. Both fighters coming off solid wins and both full of confidence. A lapse in concentration in the later rounds might provide an opportunity for Amirkhani.
WINNER: Amirkhani
METHOD: Submission

Brad Tavares vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (Middleweight)
This card features a lot of new breed versus seasoned veterans and this one is no different. We don’t really want to refer to Tavares as a ‘gate keeper’ but we can’t help but think the UFC are making him one against rising star Shahbazyan
WINNER: Shahbazyan
METHOD: KO/TKO

Andrei Arlovski vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (Heavyweight)
Just like all MMA fans, we don’t like to see Arlovski lose, and want him to never retire! Unfortunately this could be an extremely tough night at the office for the former chap.
WINNER: Rozenstruik
METHOD: KO/TKO

Early Preliminary card (UFC Fight Pass)
Jennifer Maia vs. Katlyn Chookagian (Women's Flyweight)
Whoever wins this one, it’ll be by split decision. A draw might be worth a punt.
WINNER: Chookagian
METHOD: Decision

Lyman Good vs. Chance Rencountre (Welterweight)
Both athletes are still very much finding their feet in the UFC. This one could end being one of the best scraps on the bill.
WINNER: Good
METHOD: KO/TKO

Julio Arce vs. Hakeem Dawodu (Featherweight)
A great fight to open up the event! Both absolute savages in their weight division. A classic case of whoever lands the cleanest shot first perhaps?
WINNER: Dawodu
METHOD: KO/TKO