SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 291 GAMBLING GUIDE

The UFC heads to sunny Salt Lake City, Utah for an absolute scorcher of a card. Pretty much every bout is a one to watch, culminating in a highly anticipated rematch between two of the UFC’s most aggressive fighters.

Main Card (BT Sport)

Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethjie (Lightweight)

Feels like only yesterday these two fan favourites were slugging it out in their first scrap. Truth is that the bout actually took place in 2018! A lot has happened since then, which makes us even more hyped for the rematch. Gaethjie has made it public knowledge he is out for revenge, and we have gone back and forth on our predictions because we are massive fans of both athletes. In order to cover our backs, we’ve got Gaethjjie as our wildcard, but Poirier remains one of the best boxers in his division, who’s BJJ is always overlooked, and easily matches ‘Highlight Reel’ in the toughness stakes. ‘The Diamond’ to come out on top (or the back) in what is likely to be FON. What a fight this is going to be. We can’t wait.

WINNER: Poirier

METHOD: Submission

 

Jan Blachowicz vs. Alex Perreira (Light Heavyweight)

Former belt holder Jan Blachowicz welcomes feared striker and one-time middleweight champ Alex Perreira to the light heavyweight division. Can the Brazilian transfer the same movement and power? Will hi opponent choose to slam him to the ground and keep him there just like he did when his arch nemesis decided to step up in division? Blachowicz has hung with the heaviest hitters in the sport, so he won’t be scared. A potential early ending. We are going to stick our necks on the line (again) and say Jan spoils the party.

WINNER: Blachowicz

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira (Welterweight)

At 40 years of age and a record of 17-6-1 how much desire has ‘Wonderboy’ left at this stage of his career. A violent brawl with Kevin Holland at Christmas saw him defy the odds and come out on top and we are keen to see how he comes into this one. We aren’t so sure fans will get fireworks again and a more cautious fight against an absolutely mental Brazilian could see him come runner up with the judges.

WINNER: Pereira

METHOD: Decision

 

Tony Ferguson vs. Bobby Green (Lightweight)

Another bout that could see fans saying farewell to another popular UFC fighter. If Ferguson loses this one, he simply has to be released. The poor guy has been punched all over by 5 of the best lightweights in the division, and many of ‘El Cucuy’s’ fans will be hoping he can actually get a win against Bobby Green. Ferguson never shoots for a take down and will get picked off over 3 rounds from Green’s superior boxing style. A sad prediction to make (and there is a few on this card) but it is time for the UFC to do the right thing.

WINNER: Green

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Holland (Welterweight)

We expect a lot of people to favour Holland and for this one to stay standing for a few minutes before ‘Trailblazer’ pulls the trigger and puts Chiesa away. We are not convinced and are going to go for a drawn-out win for Chiesa, where he will showcase elite level lay and prey, and for the former TUF star to get back to winning ways over a decent name.

WINNER: Chiesa

METHOD: Decision

 

Preliminary Card (BT Sport)

Gabriel Bonfim vs. Trevin Giles (Welterweight)

Whilst Giles is no slouch, it is very hard to pick against Bonfim. The likely outcome is following a bit of feeling out process, Bonfim takes this one to the ground and works in a submission at the end of the first round.

WINNER: Bonfim

METHOD: Submission

 

Derrick Lewis vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (Heavyweight)

Listen, we feel the same, Lewis taking a mans head off and giving us one more memorable post -fight interview would warm our hearts, but the reality is, is that this will most likely be the last time we’ll see ‘The Black Beast’ in the Octagon. Utah is too humid, his balls will get hot, and he will last about 2mins before Rogerio de Lima takes him down and batters him.

WINNER: Rogerio de Lima

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Roman Kopylov vs. Claudio Ribereiro (Middleweight)

A battle of the bangers here with two athletes that know how to throw a punch! Expect some heavy artillery in this bout and it really will be a case of who lands first. Kopylov has produced the good for us in his last two outings, so we are sticking with him.

WINNER: Kopylov

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Jake Mathews vs. Darrius Flowers (Welterweight)

It is not often we pick a DWCS fighter to produce the goods, but Flowers is perfectly capable of getting an impressive debut against seasoned veteran Mathews.

WINNER: Flowers

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

C.J. Vergara vs. Vinicius Salvador (Flyweight)

Salvador didn’t quite live up to his track record in his UFC debut so will be looking to get the win here. Vergara is absolutely nails so it will be a tough task. Potentially playing it safe here but we are going to stick to our guns.

WINNER: Vegara

METHOD: Decision

 

Mathew Semelsberger vs. Uros Medic (Welterweight)

Semelsberger will come into this one as favourite based on the fact Medic has stepped in on late notice for Yohan Lainesse.  We’ve seen glimpses of some real skill set from Medic though and think he might produce the goods against a very durable opponent.

WINNER: Medic

METHOD: KO/TKO

 

Miranda Maverick vs. Priscila Cachoiera (Women’s Flyweight)

You know the score, women’s MMA bout, both mid-level UFC athletes, its going the distance – just a matter of who lands a take down. Or two if they want to get their hand raised.

WINNER: Maverick

METHOD: Decision

 

UFC 291 WILDCARD BET:  Justin Gaethjie Def Dustin Poirier via KO/TKO