This weekend's UFC event takes place out of the UFC Apex Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining the card is Bobby Green, who steps up on short notice to take on a hungry title contender in Islam Makhachev.
In the co-main Misha Cirkunov faces off against Wellington Turner and two future contenders Arman Tsarukyan and Joel Alvarez look to improve on their win streaks in another intriguing main card bout. For our bets this week we focus on two underdogs on the undercard, with no real value to be had on the main card.
UFC Fight Night Betting Tips
Islam Makhachev vs Bobby Green
I like any true UFC fan, love Bobby Green and love him even more for stepping in on short notice against a beast in Islam Makhachev. Really the only way I see him winning is if his trash talk makes Makhachev lose his head. Green steps in on 10 days notice, on the back of an impressive win against Nasrat Haqparast but it likely will be a rough night in the office for the American.
Makhachev had some serious holes in his game when he arrived in the UFC but from what I have seen he has well and truly fixed them. I’m not going to suggest you back him at the near $1.10 odds on offer but I just can’t see him losing.
Makhachev is yet to be fully tested in the UFC but Green doesn't have the knock out power or submission skills to deter the Russian from completely mauling him. He is coming off three straight impressive submission wins and I expect another submission win here but I won’t be backing him at the odds. In MMA I have a rule which is never back anyone under $1.20 ever as anything can happen.
No Bet
Zhu Rong vs Ignacio Bahamondes
I simply do not believe Bahamondes is UFC calibre. His last fight knockout of Roosevelt Roberts was awesome but it hardly showed that Bahamondes had improved much and more than anything showcased Roberts’ flaws.
Zhu Rong is the latest Chinese prodigy and at just 21-years old he is a fighter who I believe has a massive future in the organisation. Rong is a striker who technically has shown massive improvement since his first defeat to Rodrigo Vargas.
I personally believe Rong’s hands beat Bahamondes’ kicks. Rong should be able to close into range and land the more telling shots. He has trouble when people look to take him down and Bahamondes won’t look to do that which will mean he can throw more freely. The odds about Rong at $3 is absolute madness and I expect him to either secure a late stoppage win or a win by decision.
Jinh Yu Frey vs Hannah Goldy
Jinh Yu Frey started her UFC career awfully, dropping her first two bouts, but has since gone 2-0. Hannah Goldy won her last fight against Emily Whitmire, tapping her out for her first UFC victory.
I personally hate betting on Frey’s style. She simply doesn’t do enough or land enough. Conceivably she could work in the clinch and trip goldy and just hold top position. In saying that it isn’t like Frey is great on the mat so it is hardly an advantage.
I realistically only see Goldy outworking her. Goldy is still fresh to MMA and has shown improvements after every loss whereas Frey just seems a one dimensional fighter with a lack of output. I can’t say I have massive confidence in this bet but I do believe Goldy should be a slight favourite so therefore backing her at underdog odds is the way to go.
