Sweet sweet violence in store for us this evening. I feel like I haven’t been this excited for a title fight in a very long time. Going into these nights, I usually have extreme confidence in who I think will win, for this lightweight tilt I am completely lost. But for the Nunes fight I have a pretty good idea what is going to happen. This card is absolutely stacked; 2 title fights, Geoff Neal vs Santiago Ponzinibbio, Cody Garbrant’s flyweight debut, the return of Suga, Tai Tuivasa shoey, and just unadulterated violence. I had an absolutely brutal night last weekend, couldn’t be on the right side of a bet no matter what I did. Tonight is a completely different story, I put together an absolute gem of a card, and am currently shopping for new shoes. Let’s stop lollygagging and get into these beautiful picks.
Main Card
Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier Lightweight Championship Bout
What a fucking matchup we have here. Charles Oliveira has taken the weight class by storm winning 9 straight and now set up for his first title defense. Charles has looked almost unbeatable during this stretch outside getting knocked down by Chandler. Dustin Poirier has beaten pretty much everyone that’s been put in front of him not named Khabib. He has outclassed all of his opponents and shown he is the best boxer in the division. If this match stays on the feet it is definitely Poirier’s fight, and the thing is this will stay on the feet. Poirier has worked on his ground game so much since that Khabib loss that I don’t see him letting a far lesser version control him. I tossed and turned on this one but it has to be Poirier.
Dustin Poirier by 3rd Round TKO -130 2 units
Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Peña Bantamweight Championship Bout
I don’t even know what to say here. Amanda Nunes is going to absolutely demolish Julianna Pena. This will not be a close fight by any means, and it is getting a little boring having to watch the lioness just absolutely ravage her competition every few months. I was trying to find an edge somewhere because I am not one to fade a fight, fortunately this over 1.5 rounds is so juicy. Amanda loves playing with her food. She is going to pick her apart for a few rounds before taking her soul.
Amanda Nunes by 4th Round TKO (Taking over 1.5 Rds -150) 2 units
Geoff Neal vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio Welterweight Bout
This is beautiful matchmaking. Both guys are on the verge of being top contenders if they can string together a couple wins, and they both happen to love to stand and bang. I love Ponzi a lot, he has been one of my favorite fighters for a long time, and I was so happy to see him get healthy and come back and win. That being said, Neal is an absolute killer, he dropped a couple to the best striker in Welterweight history in Wonderboy, and a good grappler in Magny. Fortunately for Neal, Ponzi is neither of those things. This will be a highlight reel KO for Geoff.
Geoff Neal by 1st Round TKO +105 1 unit
Kai Kara-France vs. Cody Garbrandt Flyweight Bout
No Love is at 125 and I am here for it. I thought Cody was going to be the bantamweight champion for a long time. Then Dillishaw absolutely rocked him and he hasn’t been the same since. His fight against Rob Font had my jaw on the floor, he looked so bad and so slow I was absolutely stunned. That being said, at 125 he should be so much stronger than these guys and I think Kai Kara-France is so overrated for being almost pick’em in this fight. Just take the obvious bet and ride with No Love.
Cody Garbrandt by Decision -128 1 unit
Raulian Paiva vs. Sean O’Malley Bantamweight Bout
Paiva has no business in this fight. He is undersized for this weight class and won’t be strong enough to get into grappling exchanges. O’Malley is going to just piece him up for 15 min and show he is the best in the world at beating up cans. Suga really needs to take a jump up in competition to keep me on the wagon. Hopefully after this destruction he takes on Yanez.
Sean O’Malley by Decision (Prop Line) +200 1 unit
Prelims
Josh Emmett vs. Dan Ige Featherweight Bout
Dan Ige by Decision +140 1 unit
Pedro Munhoz vs. Dominick Cruz Bantamweight Bout
Dominick Cruz by Decision +100 1 unit
Augusto Sakai vs. Tai Tuivasa Heavyweight Bout
Tai Tuivasa by 1st Round TKO -113 1 unit
Jordan Wright vs. Bruno Silva Middleweight Bout
Bruno Silva by 2nd Round TKO -190 2 units
Early Prelims
André Muniz vs. Eryk Anders Middleweight Bout
Andre Muniz by 3rd Round Submission -180 2 units
Miranda Maverick vs. Erin Blanchfield Flyweight Bout
Miranda Maverick by Decision -133 1 unit
Ryan Hall vs. Darrick Minner Featherweight Bout
Ryan Hall by 2nd Round Submission (Prop Line) +120 1 unit
Randy Costa vs. Tony Kelley Bantamweight Bout
Randy Costa by Decision -178 1 units
Gillian Robertson vs. Priscila Cachoeira Flyweight Bout
Priscila Cachoeira by Decision +300 1 unit
DraftKings Lineup:
That is all I have for you guys this evening. Sorry for taking so long to get this out, been quite a hangover recovery day. I am going to bet responsibly this evening and stick to my units. Last week I got cocky and my units were getting pretty large towards the end of the night. Love that not too many of these are method of victory, should be able to just cheer for the fighter and nothing specific. Have fun out there tonight ,and as always may luck be your lady tonight!