SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 290 GAMBLING GUIDE

A stellar card sees a line-up of talented fighters from a land down under descend on Las Vegas, which includes current Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski up against one of the divisions most exciting fighters.

Main Card (BT Sport)

Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Yair Rodriguez (ic) (Featherweight)

With his dynamic fighting style, there will always be a chance Rodriguez pulls something out of his box of tricks. A lot of people will be going for Rodriquez to get the upset, but this one sees ‘The Great’ back to his usual weight category – plus the jury is still out on his points loss against the Lightweight champ back earlier in the year. He’ll be looking to make a statement and shut down any doubt he is still the man. We’ll be surprised if this doesn’t get fight of the night. We’ll also be surprised if Rodriquez can match the Ozzie’s cardio.

WINNER: Volkanovski

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Brandon Moreno (c) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (Flyweight)

With two victories already in the bank over the current UFC Flyweight champ, this is a serious mind game advantage. This one is a good shout to go the distance and will be more of chess match as opposed to an all-out brawl. Pantoja has looked strong in his previous bouts, and you can tell he desperately wants to be champion. We’ll call it and say this one ends with a RNC in round 3.

WINNER: Pantoja

METHOD: Submission

 

Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus du Plessis (Middleweight)

We’ve gone back and forth with this one, but the fact is whilst du Plessis is super exciting to watch, and it a genuine prospect, Whittaker has been there and done it. More than once. His experience and patience should prevail. The South African will have his day, but the likelihood of it happening on Saturday are very slim.

WINNER: Whittaker

METHOD: Decision

 

Jailin Turner vs. Dan Hooker (Lightweight)

These two fan favourites finally meet to see who gets the ‘W’. Some might feel Turner still isn’t good enough to defeat Hooker, but ‘The Hangman’ is another fighter who has taken too many shots to the head and simply isn’t as durable as he once was. Turner might take him out later but expect a clean shot followed by a submission.

WINNER: Turner

METHOD: Submission

 

Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn (Middleweight) 

Val Woodburn steps in at late notice against the biggest favourite on the card. Can he do the unthinkable? No, he can’t.

WINNER: Nickal

METHOD: Submission

 

Preliminary Card (BT Sport)

Robbie Lawler vs. Niko Price

Nothing would make us happier than to see Robbie Lawler get the victory. Time waits for no man unfortunately and the once feared brawler, doesn’t have that terrifying aura anymore. Whilst Price isn’t the toughest fighter ‘Ruthless’ has faced, he does have the cardio and skills to run this one to the score cards or even secure a late stoppage…a whatever let’s go with Lawler by KO.

WINNER: Lawler

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Jack Della Maddelena vs. Josiah Harrell (Welterweight)

Just last week Maddelena was getting ready to face Sean Brady, but an undisclosed injury means exciting prospect Josiah Harrell gets an opportunity to secure himself a contract. He should do with a game effort but, we expect him to fall short. This will be a great scrap whilst it lasts though.

WINNER: Maddelena

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Yazmin Jauregui vs. Denise Gomes (Women’s Strawweight)

This female bout actually has potential with both showcasing the skills to progress in the division. It is Jauregui who has caught our attention and we think Mexico has another rising star on their hands

WINNER: Jauregui

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield (Light Heavyweight)

A draw between these two powerhouses in February has resulted in a quick rematch. If Crute can stick to a game plan that involves taking his opponent to the floor and working relentlessly for the submission he may have a chance. We foresee him getting drawn into a slugfest and Menifield getting the knockout this time round.

WINNER: Menifield

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

Tatsuro Taira vs. Edgar Chairex (Catchweight 130lbs)

Following his loss on DWCS last year, a few wins on his record means Mexican fighter Edgar Chairex gets a call to the big stage. There is absolutely no reason why he can’t win this, and we’ll probably leave it off our accumulator, but Taira has looked decent recently and will be looking to make it a hat-trick of victories.

WINNER: Taira

METHOD: Submission

 

Vitor Petrino vs. Marcin Prachnio (Light heavyweight)

Could be a surprise contender for FON with two middleweights that might not be the most technically gifted fighters but will certainly come to throwdown. Prachnio has the weaker chin so for this reason we expect a late finish from the Brazilian.

WINNER: Petrino

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Cameron Saaiman vs. Terrence Mitchell (Bantamweight)

After a few obligatory eye pokes and low blows from Saaiman he will eventually land the knockout blow and finish this one in round 2.

WINNER: Saaiman

METHOD: KO

 

Shannon Ross vs. Jesus Santos Aguilar (Flyweight)

We are still not convinced Ross is UFC level and Aguilar has enough in the tank to secure a unanimous victory.

WINNER: Aguilar

METHOD: Decision

 

Kamuela Kirk vs. Maria Oliveira (Lightweight)

Both coming off a loss in their previous Octagon visit but Oliveira might come up short again with remaining jitters.

WINNER: Kirk

METHOD: Submission

 

UFC 290 WILDCARD BET:  Yair Rodriguez to defeat Alexander Volkanovski via KO/TKO