SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 257 GAMBLING GUIDE

Having held two events already this year, the UFC stays on Yas Island for its first numbered event of 2020, and UFC 257 just so happens to feature ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor!
McGregor on Fight Island? This should be interesting.

Main Card (BT Sport Box Office)
Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor (Lightweight)
We feel like this rematch has been a long time coming and just know it is going to be something special. As most of you will know these two warriors faced one another way back in September 2014, at UFC 178 (an incredible card we might add) which saw the fight waved off in less than two minutes of the first round courtesy of McGregor’s left hand. There were a few (including us) who felt the knockout blow was verging close to an ‘it landed behind the head’ argument but regardless, McGregor looked amazing and did what he needed to do. Fast forward to the present day and it is fair to say both men are completely different animals – especially Poirier whose southpaw boxing has looked nothing short of incredible in recent years. Another key factor is neither man is fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov here, so there is no risk of an immediate takedown, nor fans will get to see two elite strikers throwdown. Will McGregor try to get into his opponents head in once again? For sure. Will it work this time? Time will tell on that one. Both fighters have agreed to donate some serious fight money to charity, which is highly commendable, but do not forget at the end of the day this is a fight, a fight that could lead to an immediate title shot. The stakes are just as high and we may regret saying this, but we have a feeling an upset is coming. Yes, McGregor was savage in his return to the Octagon against Cowboy Cerrone, but that was not the Cowboy of old. McGregor demolished a true veteran of the sport who probably should be retired. Can he do the same against Poirier? Will a heavier weight category make a significant difference? McGregor is yet to be knockout in his MMA career, his only losses have been via submission, so it would be a huge gamble to pick Poirier by knockout but it really could happen, and that is what makes this rematch so exciting. With that said, make no mistake this is the McGregor show and when you take away all the controversy and social media followers, you still have one of the best MMA fighters on the planet.
WINNER: McGregor
METHOD: KO/TKO

Dan Hooker vs. Michael Chandler (Lightweight)
So here we go, the long awaited debut of former Bellator champion Mike Chandler. A lot of sites with favour Chandler heavily purely because he brings with him a lot of hype and will get more air time in the build-up. Believe it or not, Hooker has more pro fights than Chandler, and on paper, has faced a better calibre of opponent – especially in the latter part of their careers. It will be a tough night at the office for both, but we won’t be surprised at all if ‘The Hang Man’ spoils the party.
WINNER: Hooker
METHOD: Decision

Jessica Eye vs. Joanne Calderwood (Women's Flyweight)
Possibly the toughest fight to call as both athletes tend to go the distance. Although both Eye and Calderwood are coming in off a loss, there probably isn’t a risk of the loser being cut. For that reason we don’t see either pulling the trigger and the winner will be the one who ads the most leg kicks. Flip a coin.
WINNER: Calderwood
METHOD: Decision

Matt Frevola vs. Ottman Azaitar (Lightweight)
Ottaman to go 14-0 with another stoppage is the likely scenario in this one, and it just so happens to be our prediction!
WINNER: Azaitar
METHOD: KO/TKO

Marina Rodriguez vs. Amanda Ribas (Women's Strawweight)
A great match up in the women’s strawweight division which sees two super talented prospects currently making their way up the rankings. Ribas has proven to be a to earner for us so we shall be backing her to get a decision against Rodriguez and sound the alarm for a contender slot.
WINNER: Ribas
METHOD: Submission

Preliminary Card (BT Sport)
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Nasrat Haqparast (Lightweight)
Another difficult one to pick here, we will for sure be leaving this of the old accumulator! Both fighters are young and still need to prove themselves. It will be a case of who impresses the judges the most. Prepare for a controversial decision.
WINNER: Haqparaast
METHOD: Decision

Brad Tavares vs. Antônio Carlos Júnior (Middleweight)
It has been over a year since either fighter has stepped into the Octagon and back-to-back losses for both means it could be the end of the UFC line for the loser. Tavares suffered a nasty head kick KO in his last outing and as a result, could be too hesitant, and might not be able to get going against the awkward Carlos Junior.
WINNER: Tavares
METHOD: Decision

Julianna Peña vs. Sara McMann (Women's Bantamweight)
Pena is almost 10 years younger than her opponent but this one still feels like a battle of the veterans! McMann is coming to the end of her career but can still produce glimpses of her superior wrestling when in the Octagon. Will it be enough to withstand the pressure from Pena? Another one sure to go the distance.
WINNER: Pena
METHOD: Decision

Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Marcin Prachnio (Light Heavyweight)
Roundtree Jr hasn’t had the most stable of UFC careers and brings a very unpredictable record. He is however young enough, and experienced enough to pull himself round for this one. Prachnio isn’t going to be a walk in the park but the former TUF star should get the ‘W’.
WINNER: Roundtree Jr.
METHOD: KO/TKO

Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Andrew Sanchez vs. Makhmud Muradov (Middleweight)
Although Sanchez looked really impressive in his last outing, we still think Muradov will be too much for him to handle.
WINNER: Muradov
METHOD: KO/TKO

Movsar Elvoev Vs Nik Lentz (Catchweight)
UFC veteran Nik Lent was originally scheduled to face rising UK talent Mike Grundy, but a positive Covid test in the Grundy camp means Russian native and American Top Team fighter Movsar Elvoev is now drafted in on short notice to make up the numbers. We think Grundy would have taken this on points, and that the result will be the same with his replacement.
WINNER: Elvoev
METHOD: Decision

Amir Albazi Vs Zhalgas Zhumagulov (Bantamweight)
Straight out of Sweden, Albazi has the potential to become a real contender in his division and become another Swedish star.
WINNER: Albazi
METHOD: Submission

UFC 257 WILD CARD BET: Dustin Poirier to defeat Conor McGregor via KO/TKO