Last weeks UFC 235 event did not disappoint. Jon Jones put on a clinical performance against Anthony Smith and Kamaru Usman used his pressure to dominate Woodley and become the new welterweight champion. I went 3-2 on my plays, including a big underdog win on Diego Sanchez. The Sanchez finish also paid off nicely with that prop set at almost 9/1.
This week the UFC heads to Wichita, Kansas for a solid ESPN+ card that will be broadcast on TSN here in Canada. The main card is actually very solid and the heavyweight main event between Lewis and Dos Santos should be an exciting fight.
Derrick Lewis vs Junior Dos Santos
Dos Santos is the better fighter, but I can’t ever count out Lewis against a guy who is going to stand and bang with him. Lewis has the far better chin and the more powerful strikes. If he lands a big punch he will put Dos Santos to sleep.
At these odds everyone must be down on Lewis after his loss to Cormier. Yes, he didn’t look good, but Cormier’s wrestling is the perfect way to beat Lewis. I don’t think Dos Santos will be able to wrestle and ground and pound Lewis to a win in this fight. He’s going to have to pick him apart standing, and when you do that against Lewis you open yourself up to his fight finishing combinations.
Play: Lewis 2.75
Curtis Millender vs Elizeu Zaleski
Millender and Zaleski have both looked terrific in the UFC. That said, I’ve been more impressed with Zaleski, especially with his two recent finishes.
I think Zaleski is the more complete fighter and he will show that on Saturday.
Play: Zaleski 2.00
Niko Price vs Tim Means
I was surprised to see Means as such a big favourite in this fight. Yes, he’s the more experienced guy, but he’s basically a .500 UFC fighter over the course of his career and he has inconsistent performances.
It seems like everyone has jumped off the Niko Price bandwagon after his recent knockout loss to Abdul Razak Alhassan. Price is now 5-2 in the UFC with all wins coming by finish. His two losses were to Razak Alhassan and Vicente Luque, two of the most feared strikers in the division.
I don’t see Means knocking out Price and I don’t see this fight going the distance. Therefore, I’m expecting a submission or KO from Niko Price in this fight. More likely a submission.
Play: Price 2.70
Beneil Dariush vs Drew Dober
Dariush has had some issues of late with knockout losses to Alex Hernandez and Edson Barboza, but I still think Dariush is one of the most complete fighters in the division, and he got back in the win column against Thiago Moises in his recent fight last November.
This is a great matchup for Dariush because I don’t think Dober has the power or timing to catch him for a finish. I expect Dariush to get the better of the stand up exchanges and cruise to win in this fight.
Play: Dariush 1.53
