The UFC heads to Sydney this weekend for a card jam packed with some of the best Australia and New Zealand has to offer. In the main event Israel Adesanya puts his Middleweight strap on the line against American wild man Sean Strickland. While in the co-main Tai Tuivasa looks to get back on track against Heavyweight veteran Alexandr Volkov and Australasian young guns Justin Tafa, Tyson Pedro, Carlos Ulburg, Jack Jenkins and Jamie Mullarkey all feature on this weekend’s Sydney card. We take a look at my best bets below.
UFC 293 Preview & Betting Tips
Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland
Everyone expected the next title defence for Israel Adesanya to be Dricus du Plessis after the South African secured a shock win over Robert Whittaker. However, with the UFC needing a star to headline this card Adesanya will attempt to defend his title against Sean Strickland. The American is on a two-fight win streak but it is hard to see a route to victory for him here.
Adesanya comes into this weekend’s bout on the back of reclaiming his title by knocking out long time rival Alex Pereira. The kickboxer turned MMA star utilises range exceptionally well and has fixed some of his early holes in grappling.
This fight really should be a walk in the park for the champ. Strickland is one of a dying breed of street fighters with decent wrestling but has some gaping holes in his game. For a fighter who has been in the UFC for nearly a decade and hasn’t got the greatest chin, he still walks forward hands down, chin high and still hasn’t learnt how to move his head off centre line. This was showcased against Alex Pereira who turned him into a meme with a walk off knockout over him only last year.
The odds are nothing to write home about but expect Adesanya to land at will and put him away in front of a roaring crowd.
Israel Adesanya to win by KO/TKO
$2.12 (3 Units)
Manel Kape vs. Felipe dos Santos
Manel Kape was scheduled to fight Kai Kara-France before the Kiwi was forced to withdraw after a nasty concussion. He now faces UFC debutant Felipe dos Santos who has been fed to the wolves here. The 22-year-old has a 7-0 record and is predominately a striker.
However, the Brazilian is going to get completely dismantled. Kape started his UFC career 0-2 after losing to now champ Alexandre Pantoja and contender Matheus Nicolau by decision albeit the latter one in a somewhat controversial call. Since he has gone on a strong winning run and cemented himself as a serious contender. Kape is incredibly fast and explosive and should steamroll the newcomer inside the opening five minutes.
Manel Kape to win by Round 1 knockout
$3.15 (1.5 Units)
Carlos Ulberg vs. Da Un Jung
Carlos Ulberg lost his UFC debut to Kennedy Nzechukwu because he gassed out horridly and was stopped. Since then he has gone on a four fight winning streak, the last three all being by the way of knockout. He has shown poise and patience since his loss to Nzechukwu, which is all he will need against this weekend’s opponent Da Un Jung. The South Korean is a dangerous striker who has registered some big knockout wins over foes too eager to close the distance. He finds himself on a two-fight skid despite being 15-4 overall.
Honestly, he is being fed to Ulberg as he can’t hold a torch to him ability wise. His four UFC wins come over Mike Rodriguez who went 2-5 in the UFC before being cut, Khadis Ibragimov who went 4-0 before being cut and William Knight who has been released after some abysmal showings. His only UFC win of note comes over Kennedy Nzechukwu, the man who beat Ulberg, where both men stood flat footed and traded before the South Korean came out on top.
Realistically, Ulberg’s movement and patience dismantles the South Korean with ease on route to a likely stoppage win.
Carlos Ulberg to win
$1.35 (4 Units)
