The UFC returns to the Apex Center in Las Vegas, Nevada for this weekend’s card headlined by Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev. While the card may not be star studded like the most recent pay-per-view, prospects such as Caio Borralho, Said Nurmagomedov and Ronnie Lawrence all feature on the card. We take a look at my three best bets on this weekend’s Fight Night card below.
UFC Fight Night Betting Tips
Rafael dos Anjos vs Rafael Fiziev
I really like Rafael dos Anjos in this match up as it is the atypical hype train meets first genuine challenge. If you look at what dos Anjos has struggled with in his career it is pressure fighters with immense cardio that mix takedowns in well. His opponent here Rafael Fiziev, is a striker with seven of his eleven career wins coming by KO and isn’t known to fight a high-pressure style. This plays perfectly into dos Anjos strengths. He will be able to control the centre, the tempo and use his own wrestling to take the fight to the mat.
Given the odds about the former champ and Fiziev being unproven at the highest level and especially over five rounds, I am backing the Brazilian to avoid the one-shot flash knockout potential of Fiziev and outwork him on route to a decision win or potentially a submission.
dos Anjos to win
$2.90 (3 Units)
Michael Johnson vs Jamie Mullarkey
Michael Johnson has always showed potential to be an elite UFC fighter but never managed to put it all together. Despite this last time out I was completely blown away with how patient and focussed he looked against Alan Patrick and if he fights the same way there is no reason why he can’t beat Jamie Mullarkey. Johnson historically fades as his fights goes on and has a tendency to overdo it and burn his gas tank. Mullarkey will likely find himself on the wrong end of round 1 and from there will become increasingly desperate which plays perfectly into Johnson counter-style. At $3 Johnson is a great bet to get the win.
Johnson to win
$3.00 (2 Units)
Ronnie Lawrence vs Saidyokub Kakhramonov
For mine this is the fight that is being criminally overlooked as it is a fascinating matchup between two promising prospects who have the grappling chops but choose to regularly trade on the feet in high intensity affairs.
Despite believing it will be a great fight, I really like Ronnie Lawrence to get it done over Saidyokub Kakhramonov. Lawrence has excellent lateral movement, mixes up shots really well and is the better wrestler, especially in the clinch. Kakhramonov carries power but also showed his vulnerabilities against Trevin Jones and was on track to lose that fight before locking up a third-round submission. Back Lawrence with a fair degree of confidence to get his hand raised.
Lawrence to win
$1.72 (4 Units)
