SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 273 GAMBLING GUIDE

Originally scheduled to face Max Holloway for a third time on March 5^th, an injury for ‘Bless’d’ meant the Hawaiian was replaced by another fan favourite – Chan Sung Jung aka The Korean Zombie. What a great card this is, let us see if we can maintain our great form of late!

 

Main Card

Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Chan Sung Jung (Featherweight)

Chan Sung Jung comes into this not only looking to be the champ, but to be Korea’s first ever title holder. A lot of pressure that can’t be denied. Once these two step into the Octagon, Volkanovski on paper could struggle with the frame and reach of Zombie, but as usual, don’t be fooled. The popular Ozzie will rely on his famous grit and superior cardio to grind down The Korean Zombie. Unless Sung scores a knockout, he’s be swarmed and obliterated until the ref has seen enough in the later rounds.

WINNER: Volkanovski

METHOD: KO/TKO

                               

Aljamain Sterling (c) vs. Petr Yan (ic) (Bantamweight)    

More of the same without the illegal knee for this highly anticipated rematch. Before it ended, in their first bout Yan was actually landing more take downs so mix this in with the fact Yan has a 90% takedown defence (in the UFC), he’s just a different breed of fighter and should make a statement this time out.

WINNER: Yan

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev (Welterweight)

We have no doubt this may ruffle a few feathers but nobody is beating Chimaev anytime soon. Not even Gilbert Burns. For sure it can be argued Chimaev hasn’t faced anyone with the credentials of Burns but it won’t matter. Expect the much smaller Brazilian to be rushed up against the cage and pummelled into the next century before the ref calls time. Believe the hype.

WINNER: Chimaev

METHOD: KO/TKO

                               

Mackenzie Dern vs. Tecia Torres Women's (Strawweight)           

This one goes two ways – either Torres dances around Dern for 3 rounds and wins on points or Dern secures a takedown good enough to sink in a submission. As much as we’d probably prefer Dern to win (it just feels like Torres has been at the same point in her career for years!), Torres will probably get her hands raised. Or will she? Tough one but yeah, Torres to dance around for the full fight and take a decision victory.

WINNER: Torres

METHOD: Decision

               

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nassourdine Imavov (Middleweight)           

If the main event doesn’t result in FOTN, then this one probably will. Gastelum has been sliding down the middleweight rankings and whilst he won’t be worried about getting cut if he loses, it will for sure leave him in UFC career limbo with hat could be three straight losses. Gastelum has a head of granite and in recent bouts, tends not to focus on his grappling and preference of a good old fashioned brawl. If he goes down this road again, it will play right in the hands of the rising French star.

WINNER: Imavov

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Preliminary Card

Ian Garry vs. Darian Weeks (Welterweight)

After getting his UFC debut out the way back in November last year, we are eager to see how the young Irish prospect looks here. Darian Weeks is very aggressive fighter and it is this reason we think Garry chooses not to engage and gets an early submission.

WINNER: Garry

METHOD: Submission

               

Dricus du Plessis vs. Anthony Hernandez (Middleweight)

We predict big things for rising South African star Dricus du Plessis. No disrespect to Hernandez but we don’t think it will be long before ‘Stillknocks’ is being touted as a title challenger.

WINNER: du Plessis

METHOD: KO/TKO

                                               

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Marcin Tybura (Heavyweight)

Nobody expects this one to go the distance so it might be worth sticking some money on that bet. Hard to believe this one isn’t main card status but fans are still in for a televised treat! Expect minimal wrestling and a lot of boxing from two very heavy hitters.

WINNER: Rozenstruik

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

               

Early Preliminary Card 

Mickey Gall vs.  Mike Malott (Welterweight)     

Malott jumps from DWCS to face a now seasoned veteran with a similar story in Mickey Gall. In the past we’ve made the mistake of not picking Gall, we won’t be making that mistake in this one.

WINNER: Gall

METHOD: Submission

                               

Julio Arce vs. Daniel Santos (Bantamweight)     

With nine pro fights and only one loss, Brazilian bantamweight Daniel Santos finds himself in the big time. Arce is no joke but Santos will at a push should at least scrape a decision.

WINNER: Santos

METHOD: Decision

                               

Mark Madsen vs. Vinc Pichel (Lightweight)

What do you get when two fighters, who have both gone to decisions in their last two bouts, and like to grapple? You guessed it! A big fat 3 round decision – a one that ‘The Olympian’ should see his hand raised at the end.

WINNER: Madsen

METHOD: Decision

                               

Piera Rodriguez vs. Kay Hansen (Women's Strawweight)

Whilst it could be argued Hansen is the more experienced, it is hard to overlook the fact Rodriguez is undefeated in seven fights, and Hansen hasn’t been that impressive since joining the UFC. This could be the end of the line for the 22 year old Hansen. Don’t be surprised if in a few years she makes it back into the organisation but a loss here definitely means her time is up for now.

WINNER: Rodriguez

METHOD: Decision

 

UFC 272 WILD CARD BET:  Korean Zombie to defeat Alexander Volkanovski via KO/TKO