This weekend the UFC returns to Orlando for the first event of December, and it contains plenty of intriguing match ups. In the main event Stephen Thompson looks to make one last run towards UFC gold when he meets the trash talking Kevin Holland. In the co-main Rafael dos Anjos and Bryan Barberena square off and Tai Tuivasa faces Sergei Pavlovich. We take a look at my best bets on this weekend’s card below.
UFC Fight Night Preview & Betting Tips
Stephen Thompson vs. Kevin Holland
I have a soft spot for Stephen Thompson as his karate style is just a joy to watch and his technique is near on perfection, although he’s struggled time and time again with wrestlers and can be in boring fights due to his opponents fearing to engage. He meets Kevin Holland, who’s never in a boring fight as at the very least he is verbally jabbing at his opponent. If this goes the distance, I believe Thompson will win a decision but Holland hits incredibly hard and Wonderboy has been caught in the past. He is also only a few months away from his 40th birthday and there has to be questions on his chin. There is enough value to play this for both outcomes so I will, with a little bit more on Holland by KO/TKO.
Also Backing:
Stephen Thompson by decision - $5.50 at Pointsbet (2 Units)
Kevin Holland by KO/TKO
$3 (3 Units)
Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tai Tuivasa
Backing in the western Sydney boy Tai Tuivasa in this one, who was moments away from getting a title shot when he dropped Ciryl Gane in his last fight. While his opponent Sergei Pavlovich has put together an impressive resume and with a win over ‘Bam Bam’ he puts himself in the title picture, I think this is a bad match up for him. Pavlovich has underrated speed and has finished four out of his last five opponents but if he gets in a swinging match against the Australian it doesn’t end in his favour. While he has four consecutive first round knockout victories and a stoppage over Derrick Lewis, I would back Tuivasa to win a throw down fight with anyone that isn’t Francis Ngannou. Back in the Aussie to get up at underdog odds.
Tai Tuivasa to win
$2.60 (2 Units)
Marcelo Rojo vs. Francis Marshal
Francis Marshal boasts an undefeated 6-0 record as he joins the joins the UFC and comes equipped with some elite level wrestling. His opponent Marcelo Rojo likes to fight behind low kicks and how Marshal deals with that will determine the outcome of this fight. What Rojo does well is he is hard to back up and just brutalises his opponents with low kicks until they are a stagnant target to hit. However, he isn’t overly hard to hit, and his wrestling isn’t the greatest. As long as Rojo is able to put him on the back foot and get to his legs, he grinds him out for a one-sided decision victory.
Francis Marshal to win
$1.60 (3 Units)
