SPORTSLINE PICS - really goes out on a limb here picking all favorites (aside from Stipe I guess)
Suggests parlaying them all for 15:1 payout (LOL)
Francis Ngannou (-125) vs. Stipe Miocic (+105): Miocic
Stipe Miocic, arguably the most prolific heavyweight in UFC history, puts his title on the line against the scariest man in the division in Francis Ngannou. Ngannou is on a four-fight win streak, with all of his victories coming by first-round stoppage. In his last fight, we saw Ngannou rush forward with aggressive, powerful strikes that put Jairzinho Rozenstruik to sleep in 20 seconds in the first round. Against a fighter like Rozenstruik who isn't known for his wrestling that strategy may work, but against a well-rounded champion like Miocic, I don't see that being a smart move. Miocic is a great boxer who just so happens to have exceptional wrestling. In their first fight, we saw the champ weather an early storm from Ngannou. Once he recovered, he wrestled and grinded out a decision victory. Miocic will use his crisp boxing to set up takedowns and eventually get the fight to the floor. Ngannou will be so concerned with the takedowns that we may see him hesitate with his striking. Can the challenger land a knockout punch in round one? Absolutely. However, Miocic is a smart fighter who knows the clear path to victory. He will stay at range, use leg kicks to take away the power of Ngannou and then eventually work his takedowns and put Ngannou on his back. Look for the champ's wrestling to again be key in winning this rematch. Also, I have strong lean to the Over 1.5 rounds (-135 at William Hill).
Vicente Luque (-260) vs. Tyron Woodley (+220): Luque
Tyron Woodley is looking to get back in the win column after dropping his last three fights. We have seen the former champion decline drastically since losing the belt to Kamaru Usman. Once a dominant force in the division, we have seen Woodley get dominated by Gilbert Burns and finished via TKO by Colby Covington. On Saturday, he takes on the well-rounded Vincente Luque. In order for Woodley to win, he is going to have to utilize his wrestling or land that powerful overhand right that has knocked out many opponents. For Luque, this is the big-name fight he has been looking to get for a long time. After losing a unanimous decision to Stephen Thompson, Luque has bounced back with a win over Niko Price and a stoppage win over Randy Brown. Luque is an excellent striker with an elite ground game. As long as he can avoid that overhand right from Woodley and keep the fight standing, this is Luque's fight to win. I think his volume striking and leg kicks will take away Woodley's power, and Luque can punch his way to victory.
Sean O'Malley (-300) vs. Thomas Almeida (+250): O'Malley
Thomas Almeida has lost his last three fights and, unfortunately, his challenge on Saturday night will not get any easier. Once considered a big time prospect, Almeida has failed to get back in the win column dating back to 2016. Almeida is the type of striker who will eat a few punches in order to deliver a power one. Sean O'Malley will gladly oblige. He was undefeated until his last fight against Chito Vera, where he felt victim to the calf kick. O'Malley will be looking to bounce back in a big way against Almeida. He will be the better and more creative striker who is very difficult to hit. For that reason, I believe he will be the winner. O'Malley will utlize his kicks to keep Almeida at range, eventually leading to that knockout blow.
Khama Worthy (-135) vs. Jamie Mullarkey (+115): Worthy
This fight has fireworks written all over it. Two fighters who love to strike and are always looking to finish, Jamie Mullarkey and Khama Worthy will be looking to bounce back from their last fights and get back in the win column. I see this fight stylistically in favor of Worthy. As we saw in his fight against Luis Pena, Worthy showed us that he is not just a striker, but that he can take the fight anywhere as he got a submission victory in Round 3. Worthy carries a ton of power along with being a technical striker. At 34, he will be the more experienced fighter with more tools to get the win.
Miranda Maverick (-165) vs. Gillian Robertson (+145): Maverick
Gillian Robertson is a seasoned veteran who will be entering the cage on the last fight on her UFC contract. She will be looking to show the promotion's brass that she belongs in the UFC as she tries to derail the hype train formally known as Miranda Maverick. Although young, Maverick has shown a high-level fight IQ in her first UFC outing, with a win via doctor's stoppage. Maverick has a tough task in Robertson in her second fight in the octagon. If the fight stays on the feet, this will be not only Maverick's fight to win, but to shine. I believe her takedown defense and athletic ability will help her dictate where she wants the fight to go. Expect Maverick to use her striking and vicious elbows to carry her to victory.
Abubakar Nurmagomedov (-220) vs. Jared Gooden (+190): Nurmagomedov
In a classic striker versus grappler matchup, we have both fighters coming off losses as they enter the cage. In his first UFC fight, we saw Abubakar Nurmagomedov out-strike his opponent and take him down with ease. Unfortunately, he made one mistake and paid for it by losing via triangle choke. I don't see the same mistake happening again, as Jared Gooden is not a submission specialist like Nurmagomedov's last opponent. Gooden is a good striker with a solid chin, but leaves himself open to get taken down. Expect Nurmagomedov to use his striking early to set up the takedown and go to work from there.
