SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 264 GAMBLING GUIDE

One of the biggest cards of the year is finally here and we can’t wait to dive into some predictions! Who wins the rubber match between Poirier and McGregor? Will Gregg Hardy get sparked out? Is Jessica Eye ever going to be released? Let’s do this.

Main Card (BT Sport)
Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor (Lightweight)
This is a tough pill to swallow so we’ll cut to the chase, McGregor fans prepare yourself as this may well be the last time you see the Irish star in a UFC Octagon. Even after his first ever UFC defeat to Nate Diaz, there was still an aura that surrounded McGregor, that secretly put the fear into potential opponents. Those days are gone and McGregor has become just another fighter that gets put in front of other fighters for huge pay days and PPV numbers. As a family man, a businessman and having achieved so much in the sport, we just don’t think the drive is there anymore. Window smashing, belt grabbing, fighter insulting ‘Notorious’ Conor is no more, and that is what gave him the edge. The decision will be exactly the same against Poirier but don’t worry, McGregor fans will no doubt see him back in the mix against one of the Logan brothers this time next year. We should have went with Poirier last time but our love for McGregor wouldn’t let us. As much as we would like to see him win, we can’t make the same mistake again.
WINNER: Poirier
METHOD: KO/TKO

Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson (Welterweight)
After a devastating loss to Kamaru Usman, Brazilian BJJ specialist Gilbert Burns will be keen to bounce back from his failed title shot back in February. He faces arguably the nicest man in MMA, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in this intriguing bout. Whilst Thompson is spring chicken (Wonderman doesn’t sound as cool), he remains in outstanding shape and should have the cardio to keep Burns at bay. A stoppage wouldn’t be a bad shout but we’ll go with Thompson via decision.
WINNER: Thompson
METHOD: Decision

Tai Tuivasa vs. Greg Hardy (Heavyweight)
The UFC can’t get enough of Greg Hardy in the main card as they know fans will tune in to see if he gets knocked out. It is as simple as that. The former NFL player entered the UFC with a controversial past and a criminal record, and most MMA fans are still yet to accept him in the UFC, let alone a main card billing. Tuivasa to give the fans what they want when Hardy gasses after one round.
WINNER: Tuivasa
METHOD: KO/TKO

Irene Aldana vs.Yana Kunitskaya (Women’s Bantamweight)
Tough one to call right here. For sure this will go the distance but who is going to land the most 1-2’s and occasional leg kick in order to score more points and get the decision? We will be leaving this off our accumulator/parlay but if we had to pick it would be Kunitskaya.
WINNER: Kunitskaya
METHOD: Decision

Sean O'Malley vs. Kris Moutinho (Bantamweight)
Originally scheduled to fight the more experienced Louis Smolka who withdrew due to injury, O’Malley will now face Kris Moutinho (9-4) who in just May of this year, was fighting on Cage Fury Fighting Championships. Moutinho is the biggest underdog on this card so stick some money on him for sure. The most likely outcome however, will be Moutinho seeing stars before the end of round 3.
WINNER: O’ Malley
METHOD: KO/TKO

Preliminary Card (BT Sport )
Carlos Condit vs. Max Griffin(Welterweight)
Old skool MMA fans rejoiced when they say UFC veteran Carlos Condit take another step away from retirement with another win at the UFC on ABC 1 event. Casual fans may think Condit has been handed a young up and comer but there is actually only 2 years age difference between them and although Condit has been around forever, their records are pretty similar too. So it is a lot closer than you may think. Nothing would please us more than a fan favourite getting another win and securing more time with the UFC but this one might be too much of an ask.
WINNER: Griffin
METHOD: Decision

Niko Price vs. Michel Pereira (Welterweight)
On paper this one has fireworks written all over it. We are not talking supermarket ones either, we mean industrial July 4th style explosions. Both athletes are absolutely bonkers and only they know what will happen once the bell goes. We can’t wait for this one. We think Pereira is being overlooked in this one but might just be able to tone it down enough to get the stoppage.
WINNER: Pereira
METHOD: KO/TKO

Ryan Hall vs. Ilia Topuria(Featherweight)
Ryan Hall fights are so irregular we sometimes forget he’s still on the UFC roster! Back in the mix the former TUF winner and BJJ expert faces undefeated Spaniard Ilia Topuria, a much younger fighter with an impressive 10 fight win streak. Can Hall weather the imminent onslaught about to come his way? Or can he become the matador and tame the bull? It won’t be easy but if Topuria doesn’t blow him away in the first few minutes, Hall will maintain top position and ride back off into the sunset with a decision victory.
WINNER: Hall
METHOD: Decision

Dricus du Plessis vs. Trevin Giles (Middleweight)
As a police officer competing at the highest level of MMA you can’t have anything but respect for Trevin Giles. That being said, when it comes to this fight, many fans will be excited to see Dricus du Plessis back in the mix. The South African fighter has an EFC and KSW title to his resume and will be keen to make his way up the ladder following his explosive UFC debut.
WINNER: du Plessis
METHOD: Submission

Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Jennifer Maia vs. Jessica Eye (Women’s Flyweight)
After 8 years in the UFC including a title shot the Cleveland native never stood a chance in, followed by some pretty average performances of late, surely the UFC must be considering showing Jessica Eye the door. She has to win here and will probably prove us wrong but we think a Maia by decision, possible a sub in the 3rd.
WINNER: Maia
METHOD: Submission

Omari Akhmedov vs. Brad Tavares (Middleweight)
The most obvious pick would be Akhmedov by decision but you know what, we are going the other way and think seasoned veteran Tavares will showcase his impressive takedown defence skills, and land enough clean head shots to scrape a win.
WINNER: Tavares
METHOD: Decision

Zhalgas Zhumagulov vs. Jerome Rivera (Flyweight)
Plucked from Dana White’s Contender Series around this time last year, Rivera has struggled on the main stage and could end up back on the domestic circuit if he loses here. Whilst Zhumagulov hasn’t exactly lit up the division either, he should be able to out wrestle Rivera for a points victory.
WINNER: Zhumagulov
METHOD: Decision

Alen Amedovski vs. Hu Yaozong (Middleweight)
Not the most thrilling of matches to open up one the biggest cards of 2021 but you never know, these two UFC under performers might surprise us. Probably not. Amedovski will be the underdog for this one as he has literally brought nothing to the table in his UFC appearances. Another loss will definitely result in the dreaded cut. Bon voyage it is then.
WINNER: Yaozong
METHOD: Decision

UFC 264 WILD CARD BET: Conor McGregor to defeat Dustin Poirier via KO/TKO