This is going to be a shorter blog, going to be out of town for a wedding and did not give myself sufficient time to get these picks in. It is another great card at the world’s most famous arena, that I am unable to attend. Maybe I can try again next year. This card has Islam moving up to try and become a champ champ against JDM, Weili Zhang is looking to do the same against Valentina Shevchenko, Sean Brady takes on Michael Morales for a potential title eliminator, Leon Edwards looks to get back in the win column against Carlos Prates, Beneil Dariush looks to get back in the title picture one last time against Benoit Saint Denis. Let’s get into these picks.
Main Card
Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Welterweight Championship Bout
Jack Della Maddalena is coming off an impressive title win over Belal Muhammad, nearly completely neutralizing his grappling. He now faces one of the all time greats in Islam Makhachev. Makhachev has dominated pretty much every second since becoming champion, showing he is a different level than the rest of the lightweights. Now with his move to Welterweight he looks to prove that he will still be as strong and dominant over bigger fighters. After seeing JDM perform so well against a strong grappler, I am choosing to believe he can do it against a smaller Islam. If this line was closer I may not have been so swayed, but at a 2-1 dog I have to take the chance.
Jack Della Maddalena by Decision +230 1 unit
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili Flyweight Championship Bout
Weili is coming off of 5 straight strawweight wins, with 4 of them being for the title. She looks to move up and get her second belt against the always dangerous, Valentina Shevchenko. Weili has looked unstoppable at 115, but will she have that same strength advantage a weight class up? She is going up against a woman who has a decent case to say she beat Amanda Nunes, the former 135 and 145 champion. I don’t see Weili being able to use her normal strategy against someone with a size and strength advantage. Valentina is getting older and may not have the speed she once had, but she is still very talented and a master game planner. I expect to see smart striking at distance and looking for openings to get Weili on her back.
Valentina Shevchenko by Decision -135 2 units
Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales Welterweight Bout
This one had me pretty back and forth. Michael Morales has looked incredible since joining the UFC, and his whole career really. 18 wins and 0 losses, he looks to stay undefeated against another former undefeated prospect in Sean Brady. Brady has only ever looked like the lesser fighter once, and that was against a former champion in Belal. I see Brady being able to get his wrestling going and show Morales adversity for the first time in his young UFC career. Could see this going either way, but the grappling gives Brady the edge.
Sean Brady by Decision -130 1 unit
Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates Welterweight Bout
This will be brief, I have lost all faith in Leon Edwards. He looks like he lost his fire, going out there exhausted and slow. Carlos Prates has that fire still. He was a couple ground strikes away from knocking out Ian Machado Garry. This is where he ascends and makes a fool of Leon Edwards.
Carlos Prates by 2nd Round TKO -170 1 unit
Beneil Dariush vs. Benoît Saint Denis Lightweight Bout
Both of these guys are trying to climb back up to a potential title shot after dropping a couple. Benoit Saint Denis has looked great in his last 2 bouts, especially his upset win over Ruffy. He comes up against his toughest test yet (ok maybe not tougher than Poirier) in Beneil Dariush. Dariush has the striking and grappling to compete with anyone. He is getting up there and likely doesn’t have more than 1 run left in him. He will fight a smart fight and take this one the distance to have his hand raised.
Beneil Dariush by Decision +150 1 unit
Prelims
Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira Middleweight Bout
Bo Nickal by 2nd Round TKO (Prop Finish Line) +240 1 unit
Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues Middleweight Bout
Gregory Rodrigues by 1st Round TKO -180 2 units
Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez Women’s Flyweight Bout
Erin Blanchfield by Decision (Prop Line) -145 1 unit
Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Cody Haddon Bantamweight Bout
Malcolm Wellmaker by 1st Round TKO -155 2 units
Early Prelims
Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert Middleweight Bout
Kyle Daukaus by 2nd Round TKO (Prop Finish Line) -130 1 unit
Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal Featherweight Bout
Chepe Mariscal by Decision +105 1 unit
Angela Hill vs. Fatima Kline Strawweight Bout
Fatima Kline by Decision (Prop Line) -190 1 unit (Likely just throwing this in a parlay)
Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico Middleweight Bout
Baisangur Susurkaev by 1st Round TKO (TKO win in 1st Round Line) -135 1 unit
Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Matheus Camilo Lightweight Bout
Matheus Camilo by Decision -166 1 unit
Draftkings Lineup:
That is all I have for you this evening. I need to get some sleep before an early morning flight. Remember to stick to your units and gamble responsibly. As always, may luck be your lady tonight!