SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 286 GAMBLING GUIDE

The UFC returns to the UK blessing London with a phenomenal PPV card including a main event trilogy title match!

Main Card (BT Sport)

Leon Edwards (c) vs. Kamaru Usman (Welterweight)

In August of last year, the quiet man from Birmingham found himself massively disheartened and behind on the scorecards when he entered the final round of his title challenge against Kamaru Usman. What followed shocked the world and instantly became one of the biggest comebacks in MMA history when ‘Rocky’ put his foe to sleep with a head kick. You can never say never, but the chances of this happening again are extremely slim. There are so many factors that go into this rematch such as Leon knowing he can take Usman down, and knowing he has a psychological edge over him with his devasting KO. Usman however seems to have dismissed their previous dance, stating that it was a mistake on his part and Leon is just very lucky. Confidence is key and Edwards needs to match his with Usman’s (don’t forget Usman dished out Edward’s only defeat nearly 8 years ago), or else it’ll play out exactly the same way – just minus the head kick. We picked Leon to win last time, we will be doing the same again and hoping once and for all he then gets the Masvidal fight.

WINNER: Edwards

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Justin Gaethji vs. Rafael Fiziev (Lightweight)

If this one doesn’t see Uncle Dana dishing out bonuses, we’ll be very surprised indeed. One of the best strikers in the lightweight division takes on one of the hardest brawlers means fans are in for a real treat. As much as we enjoy watching Gaethji in the Octagon, it is tough to pick him when his style fits perfectly into the hands of his opponent. Fiziev to weather the early storm and pick him apart to get the stoppage in round 3.

WINNER: Fiziev

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Gunnar Nelson vs. Bryan Barberena (Welterweight)

A real battle of the cavemen here with two alpha males clashing in the middle of the cage! Some people have had the audacity to count ‘Gunni’ out but at the age of 34, there is plenty of submissions left in the tank!

WINNER: Nelson

METHOD: Submission

 

Jennifer Mai vs. Casey O’ Neil (Women’s Flyweight)

Mai will be the favourite on some sites and rightly so, her boxing and BJJ is good, her cardio is great and she’s more experienced. This one is probably going the distance, but we’ll take a chance on O’Neil returning with purpose and securing the RNC before the final bell.

WINNER: O’ Neil

METHOD: Submission

 

Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze (Middleweight)

We all know what happens here, Vettori will press forward for the entire fight like he always does, and hope to get back in the title race with another decision. The one will come down to cardio. If Dolidze can match the aggression of his opponent, he is in with a chance. For some reason we see the ‘Italian Dream’ getting rocked and then submitted.

WINNER: Dolidze

METHOD: Submission

 

Preliminary Card (BT Sport)

Jack Shore vs. Makwan Amirkhani (Bantamweight)

After suffering his first and only loss since turning professional in 2016, there is no way Jack Shore loses this one. Amirkhani is great match for him – a fellow grappler that doesn’t possess too much threat in the striking department. It won’t be the most exciting of scraps, but the Welshman should take all 3 rounds on the cards.

WINNER: Shore

METHOD: Decision

 

Omar Morales vs. Chris Duncan (Lightweight)

Seasoned MMA fans will recognise Chris Duncan from his successful spell in Bellator. The Scottish fighter makes his UFC debut on the back of DWCS and will be eager to show new fans what he is all about. A man who loves the spotlight, it can be argued he’s been fed a relatively easy bout against Omar Morales, but this is the UFC, and you can never be too sure.

WINNER: Duncan

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Sam Patterson vs. Yanal Ashmov (Lightweight)

Another Brit making his UFC debut via DWCS, Sam Patterson refers to himself as ‘The Future’ which he’s managed to back up with some very dominant performances on his short road to the UFC. He’s up against another UFC debutant who is as tough as they come. Not many will know who Yanal Ashmov is, but we think he does enough to spoil the party. 

WINNER: Ashmov

METHOD: Decision

 

Muhammad Mokaev vs. Jafel Filho (Flyweight)

The fact Mokaev is fighting on home soil in front of thousands of fans will play a big part in this. He’ll be looking for takedown after takedown but with respect, this is possibly his toughest bout to date. At only 29 Jafel Filho has a tonne of bouts (and wins) under his belt and will pose a genuine threat.

WINNER: Filho

METHOD: Submission

 

Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

Lerone Murphy vs. Gabriel Santos (Featherweight)

Super tough one to call so perhaps leave this one off the betting accumulator. Both fighters are undefeated and at the peak of their careers. This will be a real scrap and possible contender for FON.

WINNER: Santos

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Dusko Todorovic (Middleweight)

The Cage Warriors stand out will aim to make his mark with an impressive UFC debut. Watch out for the spinning back fist!

WINNER: Duncan

METHOD:  KO/TKO

 

Jake Hadley vs. Malcom Gordon (weight)

The young Brit has his hands full against seasoned veteran Malcom Gordon and will have to pull out all the stops if he is going to win. The home crowd will be a huge factor here and should carry him to victory.

WINNER: Hadley

METHOD: Decision

 

Joanne Calderwood vs. Luana Carolina (Bantamweight)

We don’t want to say it, but this really is do or die for the Scottish MMA pioneer. At 37 years of age, this female fighter, who has achieved more than most in the sport, will be left with no choice but to call time on her UFC career if she can’t beat Carolina. We think she can.

WINNER: Calderwood

METHOD: Decision

 

Jai Herbert vs. Ludovit Klein (Lightweight)

We would love to see Herbert get the win here but the only way he does it is if he can get out of the first round and take over later on. Klein will be on a mission to steal some of the limelight of the main card and will be looking for a highlight real knockout before the ‘Black Country Banger’ can get out of first gear.

WINNER: Klein

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Julian Miller vs. Veronica Macedo

Let’s see if Miller’s UFC debut was a fluke or not against a more seasoned athlete in the form of Veronica Macedo

WINNER: Miller

METHOD: KO

 

UFC 284 WILD CARD BET: Justin Gaethji to def Rafael Fiziev via KO/TKO