Lots of interesting fights that I think can go either way. A lot where I think one fighter can win dominantly where their strength is. Arguments can be made either way. It's just hard to know which will come out on top until the fight happens. Lots of underdogs that look good. Hmm...
BREAKDOWNS:
Esparza v Zhang
The fight I thought the most about is Esparza v Zhang. First reaction: Zhang will overpower Esparza in striking and possibly in wrestling as well. Zhang is a great striker and can beat anyone except Rose. But she is aggressive and it may give Esparza opportunity to take her down. Wrestling and grappling: Esparza has far more experience. Zhang is trying to close the gap. I don't know if she does. In the 3rd round of her last fight with Rose, she shows very bad TD defense and inability to do much off her back. I'm sure she has worked to improve, but is it enough to compete with someone who is elite in this area. On the other hand she does look considerably stronger and bigger than Esparza. I thought that she might overpower Rose as well, but did not see her strength dominate Rose who is also more lean body type. Maybe I am thinking too hard about this. Maybe Zhang overwhelms Esparza in striking and stuffs takedowns. I just don't feel confident.
With such wide odds, hedging a small amount on Esparza by decision. But betting on Zhang inside the distance and by KO. Just watch Zhang win by decision. I am breaking the rules here. Oh well too late now.
Adesanya v Pereira
I think Izzy is better technically than Pereira. In their second kickboxing fight he was looking great until he got caught. But in that fight I think he had Pereira rocked. The first fight was very close and I tend to think Izzy should have won. But when Pereira lands he lands such thudding hard shots. Izzy is usually taller than everyone but not here. Izzy is more experienced in MMA, but I don't see them wrestling or grappling. I think it will be primarily kickboxing. Then again Izzy is smart and if he is smart he may try to clinch and wrestle and try to win where he knows Pereira is not as strong. But is Izzy any good at that? Pereira is training with Glover and he look physically more imposing than Izzy. So many conflicting factors. If I really had to choose I say Izzy by decision, but not betting this one.
Poirier v Chandler
Poirier seems technically the smarter boxer, but not by a whole lot - maybe not enough to matter when they both brawl. They both hit and get hit. They both seem pretty durable and don't seem to care much about defense. But they have both been finished. Poirier seems to have better cardio and seems a little less wild than Chandler. I think Chandler has more one punch knockout power. In wrestling or grappling maybe Chandler has the advantage. But I think this will be mostly striking unless Chandler decides to play it smart with lots of wrestling. But that doesn't seem like what he likes to do. I think it might be a messy striking fight. Maybe Poirier edges it if it goes longer and Chandler slows down. Poirier could also get the KO. But with the odds so wide, I'm putting a little on Chandler to win.
Placed - 1.5 UNITS
Weili Zhang wins inside distance (-125)Carla Esparza vs Weili Zhang
Placed - 0.5 UNITS
Michael Chandler (+185) Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler
Placed - 0.5 UNITS
Weili Zhang - By Ko, Tko Or Disqualification (+120) Carla Esparza vs Weili Zhang
Placed - 0.5 UNITS
Carla Esparza - By Points (+500) Carla Esparza vs Weili Zhang
Placed - 1 UNITS
Claudio Puelles (+135) Dan Hooker vs Claudio Puelles
Placed - 2 UNITS
No (-325) Dominick Reyes vs Ryan Spann
No (-175) Dan Hooker vs Claudio Puelles
Placed - 0.5 UNITS
Erin Blanchfield wins inside distance (+195) Erin Blanchfield vs Molly McCann
Placed - 2 2 UNITS
Erin Blanchfield (-360) Erin Blanchfield vs Molly McCann
Chris Gutierrez (-230) Frankie Edgar vs Chris Gutierrez
Placed - 2 UNITS
No (-260) Ottman Azaitar vs Matt Frevola
No (-225) Andre Petroski vs Wellington Turman
Placed - 0.5 UNITS
Silvana Gomez Juarez wins inside distance (+225) Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Silvana Gomez Juarez
Placed - 0.5 UNITS
Silvana Gomez Juarez (-110) Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Silvana Gomez Juarez
Placed - 2 UNITS
Seung Woo Choi (-175) Mike Trizano vs Seung Woo Choi
Andre Petroski (-200) Andre Petroski vs Wellington Turman
Placed - 2 UNITS
Over 1.5 (-310) Julio Arce vs Montel Jackson
Over 1.5 (-285) Frankie Edgar vs Chris Gutierrez
Placed - 0.25 UNITS
Montel Jackson to Win by Split or Majority Decision (+1100) Julio Arce vs Montel Jackson
Placed - 0.25 UNITS
Julio Arce to Win by Split or Majority Decision (+800) Julio Arce vs Montel Jackson
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