s article is a part of our UFC Picks sequence.
The UFC heads right down to Perth, Western Australia on Saturday, February 11 (Sunday, February 12 in Australia) for UFC 284. In the principle occasion, Islam Makhachev appears to defend his light-weight title for the primary time towards featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski.
Beneath, I will share my favourite play, an underdog, a prop and a two-fighter parlay. All odds are through the DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of the put up date of this text.
Weight Class: Featherweight
Yair Rodriguez (14-3) vs. Josh Emmett (18-2)
Within the co-main occasion of UFC 284, Yair Rodriguez takes on Josh Emmett for the interim featherweight title, and I like Rodriguez on this matchup.
This can be a nice stylistic matchup for Rodriguez, as Emmett likes to strike as effectively, however the distinction is that Emmett really has a damaging placing differential. Rodriguez lands 4.67 important strikes per minute whereas absorbing 4.12, whereas Emmett lands 4.28 whereas absorbing 4.29.
On the toes, Rodriguez is the higher technical striker and can land extra photographs, whereas Emmett will search for the facility punch, however Rodriguez has confirmed to have a superb chin. The way in which Emmett has an opportunity to win is through the use of his wrestling, however it’s not a aspect of his recreation he is employed of late. Since 2017 – which is a pattern dimension of 9 fights — he has a complete of two takedowns.
I like Rodriguez to land the higher photographs and edge out a call right here.
UFC 284 Finest Wager: Yair Rodriguez (-165)
Weight Class: Heavyweight
Parker Porter (13-7) vs. Justin Tafa (5-3)
Parker Porter is the betting underdog towards Justin Tafa, which I am stunned by, as I like Porter to get the win.
The way in which to beat Porter is to catch him early — as Chris Daukaus did — however that battle was on brief discover and Porter was out of practice. Since then, he has proven off an improved chin, whereas Tafa’s energy is not nearly as good as many suppose. The 2 UFC fighters he knocked out had been Harry Hunsucker and Juan Adams — two guys with regarding chins who’re not with the promotion.
I anticipate Porter to make use of his wrestling and clinch work to grind on Tafa and attempt to fuel him. On the toes, Porter additionally throws a ton of quantity, whereas Tafa appears for the KO shot. The distinction right here would be the quantity and wrestling, and I like Porter to take a call.
UFC 284 Finest Wager: Parker Porter (+105)
Weight Class: Mild Heavyweight
Tyson Pedro (9-3) vs. Modestas Bukauskas (13-5)
The ultimate prelim battle is a light-weight heavyweight banger, as Tyson Pedro faces Modestas Bukauskas, who’s returning to the UFC on brief discover.
Pedro has confirmed to have a ton of energy, and to get plus-money on him to win by KO/TKO is the way in which to go right here. Bukauskas’s chin is a priority, as we noticed Jimmy Crute join early and sometimes on it when it was up within the air. If Pedro connects, it seemingly can be over, whereas Pedro additionally throws good leg kicks and physique kicks, which additionally might lead to a stoppage.
On brief discover, I do not see Bukauskas with the ability to survive all quarter-hour towards such a harmful fighter, so I will take a shot at Pedro to win by KO/TKO.
UFC 284 Finest Wager: Tyson Pedro wins by KO/TKO (+180)
Weight Lessons: Strawweight & Featherweight
Loma Lookboonmee (7-3) vs. Elise Reed (6-2)
Jack Jenkins (10-2) vs. Don Shainis (12-4)
For my parlay, I am taking Loma Lookboonmee and Jack Jenkins to get their palms raised at UFC 284.
Lookboonmee will get a really favorable matchup, as she takes on Elise Reed. Reed could also be 2-2 within the UFC, however I have never been impressed together with her. On the toes, it is a horrible matchup for Reed, who is not one of the best striker. She lands simply 2.77 important strikes per minute whereas permitting 3.57, in comparison with Lookboonmee, who lands 4.21 whereas touchdown 2.56. I anticipate Lookboonmee’s placing to be an excessive amount of for Reed right here, and the amount would be the distinction.
The opposite leg is the very subsequent battle, and I like Jenkins to make good of his UFC debut towards Don Shainis. Jenkins seemed spectacular on the Contender Sequence, as he’s very well-rounded along with his placing and grappling. Shainis, in the meantime, misplaced in 30 seconds to Sodiq Yusuff in his debut. To get into the UFC, the extent of competitors was not there.
Jenkins can be higher in every single place. I predict he’ll out-strike him earlier than utilizing his wrestling to get the battle to the mat and lock in a submission.
UFC 284 Finest Wager: Loma Lookboonmee & Jack Jenkins parlay (-128)
UFC 284 Finest Wagers
Here’s a recap of my greatest UFC picks for this weekend’s UFC 284 occasion:
For up-to-date data on the newest odds as well as props from a number of sportsbooks, try the UFC probabilities web page on RotoWire.
For those who’re in Ohio the place authorized betting simply launched, try Ohio sports activities betting promos. With Massachusetts set to launch March 14, residents can pre-register now for a lot of Massachusetts sports activities betting promos as efficiently.
