After a couple of weeks without UFC we can get back into our normal routines of tuning in for our weekly UFC action. This week the UFC heads to Capital One Arena, Washington DC for UFC on ESPN 7 headlined by two heavyweights aiming to make an impression and get one step closer to a title fight.
UFC ON ESPN 7 Betting Tips
Before we get into the plays for this week a couple of thoughts on this card that could be almost plays. Calvillo would be a great underdog play if she comes in with the right mindset and game plan. She is all round a better fighter, but in saying that Rodriguez is no slouch. Putting faith in Calvillo to fight smart is way too risky though. Ricky Simon also is good odds to win as an underdog as Font doesn’t have the wrestling to keep him off him but how do I pick someone who is coming off a knock out loss to a 40-year-old Urijah Faber. Virna Jandiroba fights early on in the prelims and she is a legitimate submission specialist and I do favour her to get another one here, but I don’t know enough about the newcomer Mallory Martin to make it a play. Anyway, enough of the almost plays and let’s get into the predictions.
Alistair Overeem vs Jairzinho ‘Bigi Boy’ Rozenstruik
I’m leaning towards Overeem here as he is levels above the opposition ‘Bigi Boy’ has faced so far. Only real question I have is whether Overeem will get clipped by Rozenstruik who has amassed a very nice 9-0 record with three consecutive knockouts since his UFC debut. While Overeem on paper looks susceptible to Bigi Boy’s power he can use his experience to stay out of trouble. This is his 63rd mma fight and has only lost to the elite heavyweights and Rozenstruik isn’t of that calibre at least for the moment. At coin flip odds Overeem is worth a punt on here either as he either wears him down or gets a mid-fight submission victory, either way getting himself the win.
Aspen Ladd vs Yana Kunitskaya
Tipping Aspen Ladd here to win goes against situations where fights become automatic no-goes to tip. Firstly, not to back a fighter within six months of a knock out and secondly, not tipping a fight where one or both fighters have serious weight concerns. Ladd has looked awful trying to make weight her last two fights and I think that’s largely why she got knocked out early in her most recent fight. However, if she can sort out her weight cutting issues, she is a genuine title contender in the making. A volume striker with knockout power which is largely uncommon in the women’s divisions she compliments that with a top-heavy wrestling game and submission threat making her a fairly complete fighter at just 24 years old. She outclasses the game Kunitskaya on route to victory.
Billy Quarantillo vs. Jacob Kilburn
Let me start by saying Quarantillo should be counting his blessings that Chris Fishgold pulled out as he was in for one rough night. Fishgold is replaced by Jacob Kilburn who is incredibly explosive but nowhere near as technical as Fishgold and he fades after the first round. Since I see either an early knockout or a submission finish on the tiring Kilburn, I just don’t see this going the distance in what should be an entertaining fight.
Will the fight go the distance - No (Odds coming soon)
