SMUGGLING DUDS UFC LONDON GAMBLING GUIDE

It feels like a lifetime since the UFC held an event on British soil (it was actually 3 years ago to the day nearly) so not only are we looking forward to a night of top-level MMA, but the fact we get to watch a live UFC event at a decent hour! The last UFC London card didn’t go well for the hometown hero acting as one half of the main event – can the tables turn on Saturday?

Main Card (BT Sport)
Alexander Volkov vs Tom Aspinall (Heavyweight)
If you follow our gambling guides you will know Mr Aspinall has done us very proud since he joined the UFC. A real talent and very likeable. Aspinall has taken his time and not succumb to the limelight and despite having a Russian giant in his way, we just can’t see Aspinall losing this fight. We reckon the Team Kaobon fighter might even decide to beat the highly regarded kick boxer on the feet, just to make a statement. Whatever happens, this lads going places and by that we mean up the UFC heavyweight rankings.
WINNER: Aspinall
METHOD: KO/TKO

Arnold Allen vs Dan Hooker (Featherweight)
Dan Hooker did an interview this week stating he didn’t realise this bout was taking place in the UK! Is this an indication things aren’t going to go to plan when the Kiwi faces the always game Arnold Allen – especially having dropped back down to featherweight? A win over a household name like Dan Hooker could finally see the 28 year old Brit getting some spotlight – something a fighter undefeated in ten fights should really have achieved by now.
WINNER: Allen
METHOD: Decision

Paddy Pimblett vs Kazula Vargas (Lightweight)
As if the self-proclaimed ‘Baddy’ hadn’t stirred up enough interest in his short UFC career, a hotel scuffle with fellow lightweight contender Ilia Topuria (featured lower down the card) on Wednesday already sets up the next move for the Liverpudlian. It sounds pretty harsh us referring to Kazula Vargas as ‘Cannon Fodder’ but that’s pretty much what he is here. WINNER: Pimblett
METHOD: Submission

Gunnar Nelson vs Takashi Sato (Welterweight)
The quiet submission specialist from Iceland has spent three years recovering from injury, at 33 years old it will be interesting to see how much drive is left in him. His return to the Octagon sees him up against hard hitting Japanese fighter Takashi Sato. As long as Nelson’s injuries don’t come back to haunt him during the fight, he should be too much for Sato.
WINNER: Nelson
METHOD: Submission

Molly McCann vs Luana Carolina (Women’s Flyweight)
One things for sure, this bout will go the distance. It is just a case of who wants it most? Another factor (as is for many Brits and their opponents) is the London crowd. Will McCann thrive being back in front of her family and friends, or will she gas in the first round and struggle to match Carolina’s striking as the fight progresses?
WINNER: Carolina
METHOD: Decision

Jai Herbert vs Ilia Topuria (Lightweight)
Don’t be fooled by their weight class, these two know where the target is and can land with power! We’ll be surprised if this one goes the distance. After their recent drama, there is every chance Topuria will now be thinking of a match with Paddy Pimblett and could therefore under estimate Herbet. Alternatively is could fuel his desire to get Herbert out of the way in devastating fashion, used as a warning to his new lightweight nemesis!
WINNER: Topuria
METHOD: KO/TKO

Preliminary Card (BT Sport)
Mike Grundy vs Makwan Amirkhani (Featherweight)
It could be argued Amirkhani’s glory days are behind him now and a loss against fellow wrestler Mike Grundy will signify the end of his UFC career. Grundy might not be on the chopping board just yet but you never know, a third loss could see him out the door too. The home crowd will play a big role here, don’t be surprised if Grundy gets the KO.
WINNER: Grundy
METHOD: Decision

Shamil Abdurakhimov vs Sergei Pavlovich (Heavyweight)
It’s the end of the UFC line for ‘Abrek’ as the likely outcome for the 40 year old here is being absolutely steam rolled by the terrifying Sergei Pavlovich. We wish him the best of luck.
WINNER: Pavlovich
METHOD: Decision

Nikita Krylov vs Paul Craig (Light Heavweight)
Scottish rising star Paul Craig will be the favourite on most betting lines here because Krylov will be massively overlooked. There is no denying Craig has looked mega impressive recently but it could be argued Krylov has been in the Octagon with much higher calibre opposition and held his own. Something tells us Krylov beats Craig at his own game and gets the upset.
WINNER: Krylov
METHOD: Submission

Jack Shore vs Timur Valley (Bantamweight)
It is pretty difficult to not pick the fighter undefeated in fifteen bouts, and that’s exactly what we are going to do. Whilst he may not be the most exciting fighter on the card, the young Welshman has a great team, and is a grappling wizard. Valley will be his toughest test to date, and with this being the UFC, and him being another Dagestan wrestling machine he could scrape a points victory. The likely outcome however is Shore by decision.
WINNER: Shore
METHOD: Decision

Cory McKenna vs Elise Reed (Women’s Straweight)
Another young fighter at only 22, McKenna, who seen her hand get raised, hasn’t been totally convincing in her UFC performances. Unless a few tweaks have been made in her training, she may come unstuck against Reed, who will be looking to bounce back from a nasty KO in her last fight against Sijara Eubanks in July last year.
WINNER: Reed
METHOD: Decision

Muhammad Mokaev vs Cody Durden (Flyweight)
The youngest on the card at 21 years of age, all eyes will be on Mokaev, a highly touted amateur who is now slowly but surely making a name for himself in the pro ranks. The main factor in this one will be the difference in gas tanks. Expect Durden to slow down and Mokaev to not even flinch to secure a unanimous decision.
WINNER: Mokaev
METHOD: Decision

UFC LONDON WILD CARD BET: Takashi Sato to defeat Gunnar Nelson via KO/TKO