The UFC heads to the Apex Center this weekend for a packed card full of both emerging talent and veterans. In the main event jiu jitsu ace Mackenzie Dern faces tough veteran Angela Hill, while in the co-main Edmen Shahbazyan battles the always dangerous and equally exciting Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernande.
We take a look at my three best for this weekend’s UFC event below, and don't forget to check out our UFC tips page for more great UFC and MMA previews.
UFC Fight Night Preview & Betting Tips
Mackenzie Dern vs. Angela Hill
This fight was set to take place last weekend and wasn’t even set to be a co-main but it headlines this weekend’s event. Mackenzie Dern is the best grappler at strawweight and arguably the greatest female submission threat in the Octagon. However, she has consistently struggled to get the fight to the ground.
Angela Hill is a seasoned kickboxer who struggles off her back but is well known for her grit and determination The question is can Dern get this fight to the mat? My thought is yes and therefore with the issues Hill has had from her back in her UFC tenure, the pick is Dern.
Mackenzie Dern to win
$1.60 (3 Units)
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Anthony Hernandez
Edmen Shahbazyan burst onto the scene in 2018 winning four straight but then crashed back to earth as his gas tank eluded him and he met stiffer competition. His opponent, Anthony Hernandez, has wins over the highly touted Brendan Allen and submitted jiu jitsu phenom Rodolfo Viera, albeit because his gas tank faltered. Hernandez is on a three-fight winning streak and developing into a very dangerous well-rounded fighter. While I think there could be some shaky moments early, ‘Fluffy’ is the better fighter and will punish Shahbazyan as he fades throughout the fight. Back Hernandez to make it four on the trot.
Anthony Hernandez to Win
$1.47 (3 Units)
Chase Hooper vs. Nick Fiore
Chase Hooper is a wizard on the mat but almightily awful on the feet. He has been beat up by far lesser foe than Nick Fiore who he meets here. Fiore lost a decision on the Contender Series to hot prospect Mateusz Rebecki but before that won six straight to kickstart his professional career, of which all he stopped in the first round.
Hooper just cannot get any stand up going so it should be target practice for Fiore on the feet, who also has a decent grappling background which should be able to holdup if grappling ensues.
Nick Fiore to win
$1.80 (4 Units)
