We have another Fight Night to dive into out of the UFC Apex Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada and with that comes another card hit with COVID-19. In what was originally set to see Thiago Santos face off against Glover Teixeira in the main event, with the latter being pulled due to a positive test, women’s Strawweight contenders, Angela Hill and Michelle Waterson headline the card as they go in search of a title shot.
In the co-main event, the enigmatic Khama Worthy faces off against 12-0 brawler, Ottaman Azaitaw and we are provided plenty of other intriguing stylistic match ups that are sure to provide us with some finishes and brawls. We look at some of the key fights below.
UFC Fight Night Betting Tips
Michelle Waterson vs Angela Hill
The dynamic of this fight has changed now it is a five-round bout instead of a three-round fight as it gives both women ample opportunity to hunt the finish on the other and I don’t expect too much in the way of stalling. Angela Hill is on the up there is no denying it, as in a short period of time she has come on in leaps and bounds to the stage now where she could be a fight or two away from a title shot. Both women are so evenly matched on the feet that the X factor must be the ground game which we don’t see much of between both women.
While Hill is a stronger fighter in the pocket on the feet, if she shoots and tries to take this down, I believe Waterson has the craftiness and creativity on the mat to submit her. In a fight where a case can be made for both women, the value lies in Waterson to get the win by submission. I can’t say it is a confident selection but $10 is double the price I would have expected it to be. Regardless of the result this should be an entertaining Strawweight clash.
Billy Quarantillo vs Kyle Nelson
Billy Quarantillo has been ever impressive especially in his dominant win against Jacob Kilburn in his debut landing 139 strikes to Kilburn’s 6 before submitting him. He is a natural finisher as proven by his record. Before his decision victory over Spike Carlyle, Quarantillo had finished his previous five opponents.
Kyle Nelson for mine has been a little disappointing despite winning his last fight as he has looked one dimensional with his rangy yet stiff striking. Unless he is greatly improved, I do not see how he can win this fight as he is a striker with a very average ground game who is out struck by Quarantillo who is predominately a grappler. Expect Quarantillo to get a comfortable win and to find Nelson’s neck when this hits the mat.
Value: By Submission ($3.50)
Bryan Barberena vs Anthony Ivy
Anthony Ivy had some big hype around him as he came into his UFC debut which he lost in 59 seconds. His opponent Bryan Barberena has fought some of the absolute elite of the Welterweight division. He has faced Chad Laprise, Colby Covington, Leon Edwards and Vicente Luque in his UFC career and although he lost to all of them only was finished by Vicente Luque and had some success in all of those fights.
I definitely see Barberena as the stronger fighter, but he is coming back from back surgery which is a huge question mark. If Barberena is anywhere near back to his best, he should dispose of Ivy fairly swiftly and I expect him to be back to his brawling ways that earnt him the Bam Bam nickname.
Barberena by KO/TKO
$2.25
Roosevelt Roberts vs Matt Frevola
At only 26 Roosevelt Roberts has shown so far in his UFC career how he could be a star of the future. Since his submission victory on Contender Series he has gone on to win four of his six UFC fights. This will be his third fight of 2020 and his seventh of the past two years. He has eight finishes in his ten professional victories and has a huge advantage in striking in this match up.
Frevola despite winning his last two UFC fights has not overly impressed me and will have to think twice before shooting for the takedown on an opponent who has a nasty guillotine. This should be routine Roberts who should pick apart Frevola from range and has the skills to submit Frevola if he does go for a takedown in desperation.
Value: By Submission ($6.00)
