UFC Fight Night 81

Kountermove                                    Draft Kings

Ben Saunders                                    Dominic Cruz

Travis Browne                                   Iliir Latifi

Rob Font                                              Travis Browne

Chris Wade                                         Paul Fielder

Charles Rosa                                      Eddie Alverez

Francimar Barroso vs Elvis Mutapicic

I planned on picking his first opponent before he was replaced by some random dude.   So Francimar Barros is a giant light heavyweight.  He is big slow and gasses but he is fighting a dude on 8 days notice who is essentially a middle weight taking the fight because he wants his shot in the UFC.  I think Francimar has the tools to get passed Elvis but once Elvis drops down to middleweight look take notice he could be a good prospect.

Pick Francimar I think Francimar will be able to bully his opponent being the bigger fighter.  Elvis has been in the smaller promotions but he has shown some really good power with KO of Cezar Ferrria (whose chin is made of glass). Francimar is a big guy but his striking isn’t at the level where he is picking people apart, especially with his subject cardio.   I’m staying away from this fight.  Draft Kings has Barroso at $10,000 Mutapicic at $9,400 not much of gap for a guy on short notice. Kountermove has it Barroso $5000 Mutapicici $4600.  Avoid these picks

Rob Font vs Joey Gomez

Joey Gomez is coming on this fight short notice and is undefeated.   I’ve watched some of his fights.  He’s fighting real small dudes. Yeah, I know he is 135 but the dudes he has been fighting aren’t on a  par with the UFC.  Font has proven himself and his knockout power. I’m going with Font. Especially since Gomez had pulled out his fight on Jan 8^th for a rib injury.  Now he is ready for a debut.  I think he is still hurt and he is just trying to get to the big show. 

Pick Rob Font – Font is a solid pick DK Font - $10,600 Gomez - $8,800 Kountermove  - Font - $5200 Gomez - $4400.

Ilir Latifi Vs Sean O’Connell 

Both of these guys have had some setbacks but in terms of loses to higher competition Sean O’Connell has not been fighting any world beaters.  Latifi also has the grappling advantage in this one.  Though, O’Connell has two straight TKO’s they were to lesser opponents.  This fight won’t be on the feet long enough for O’Connell to enact his game plan. 

Pick – Iliir Latifi is a most pick, just pick him regardless of the cost.

Jimmy Hettes August Mendes   Kyle Bochniak vs Charles Rosa

Oh man here we go again.  Kyle Ochiak, this dude is undefeated but he is fighting tomato cans, on top of that he is also fighting Charles Rosa.   Analysis over.  Charles Rosa last lost was an exciting split decision against Yair Roderguz.  Don’t let Rosa record scare you, this last minute replacement will be quick work for Rosa.  Rosa is the superior fighting who had a full camp.

Pick: Charles Rosa don’t care about the cost.  Charles Rosa is $4800 on Kountermove he is a must grab. 

Paul Felder vs Daron Cruckshank

Two great strikers that love to put on a show.  Both of these guys need to learn the rest of the game, THE GROUND. They are both coming up short and a different look would help open up their striking.   But there is a clear line of superior defense.  We saw Paul Felder go toe to toe with both Ross Pearson and Edson Barboza. ( I actually think Pearson is the better and when they fought Pearson was robbed in the decision by the fans roars, every time Barboza landed something or was perceived to land something.) The point is, losing a decision to one of the best strikers in the division and Crucskank is getting finished by some of the best strikers in the division.  Felder all the way.   Cruckshank needs to go to Bellator he would do better there. 

Pick: Fielder is on the bottom rung of the most picks Cruckshank might be able to survive the onslaught.  Fielder is at the top of the budget at both KM and DK.  I’m not confident in Fiedler finishing this fight.

Maximo Blanco vs Luke Sanders

I’m curious to see the Octagon debut of Luke Sanders.  I’m not a fan of Maximo. I doubt his conditioning.  I think Luke is actually a step up in competition for Blanco.  Luke is taking this fight on short notice though.  Tough to call.

Pick: I’m going against Blanco just because I want to see him lose.  I would completely stay away from this fight all together.  I hate these Octagon debut guys but if you must. Pick Luke.

Chris Wade vs Mehdi Baghdad

I totally forgot who Mehdi was until I was reminded.  Ok so I like Mehdi. He fought Artem Lobov in the fights to get into the house in the last season of TUF.  But he got beat by Juicy J in a majority decision.  I can easily the “Decisionator” Chris Wade winning another decision.  Chris Wade by decision.

Pick: I’m picking Chris Wade in my Kountermove card because I need a winner and he fits my budget.  I’m confident that he will win but maybe Chris will step his game and show us something new. 

Tim Boetsch vs Ed Herman

The battle of the king of the Journeymen.   I’m giving Boetsch the striking and power advantage and I’m giving the ground game advantage to Herman.  These guys are coming to their last couple of fights left in their careers.  These guys have been around for awhile Ed Herrman has been fighting since 2003 and made his UFC debut in 2006 with a record of 22-11 while Tim Boetsch has been fighting since 2006 and made his UFC debut in 2008 Boetsch sports a record of 18-9.  Interesting stat line.    I’m going with Boetsch he has less miles and I’ve seen Ed Herman let wrestlers pin him against the cage too much.  I also think the inactivity of Herman is indicative of his mileage.   Boetsch will be looking for the finish.    

Pick Boetsch he is the cheapest in KM at $4700 as KM has Herman at $4900, while Draftkings has it with Boetsch being $10,500.  I would stay away from Boetsch on Draftkings he cost too much.  Herman still has a decent ground game. That is Boetsch weakness. 

Patrick Cote vs Ben Saunders

I’ve been thinking about this fight.  Patrick Cote is known for his punching power.  Ben Saunders has the range advantage especially with his kicks.  Ben Saunders is going to keep the range.  Patrick is going to try and put Saunders  on the cage.  Ben will be able to reign in knees from the clinch. When it hits the ground its all Saunders.  If Cote tries to take this to the ground, it won’t end well.  I’m looking forward to this fight, this one is going to be a close one.  I think this fight will show where each fighters ceiling is. 

Pick: I’m picking Ben Saunders but picking either one is risky.  Both KM and DK have Ben Saunders as the slight favorite. 

Ross Pearson  vs Francisco Trinaldo

Wow, ok this is going to be a tough fight to call again.  Ross Pearson has excellent boxing.   Francisco is also a good striker.  However, I’ve seen Ross get rocked a lot in fights.  Trinaldo has never been finished by KO. He is getting up in age, but I think he gets it done.  If Trinaldo gets the finish its going to come by an overhand left.

Pick: UPSET alert .  If you are looking for an upset pick on DK card.  Francisco Trinaldo is that pick at $9,100 he is priced right.  However, on the flip side Kountermove is going against Vegas again.  Ross is the favorite by -150 +130.  I would avoid Francisco on KM cards as there is a good chance this fight goes the distance. 

Travis Browne vs Matt Mitrone

Meathead has a ceiling and Travis Browne is that ceiling.  Matt is more of a gatekeeper for the new guys.  Matt is athletic has great footwork but he makes a lot of mental mistakes.  On the other hand Travis Browne is also athletic and has proven that he can take a punch.  Travis Browne recognized the mistakes he made in his last fight he did over extend when trying to attack Aroloski.  As a fantasy must you have to pick the Heavyweights.   These guys are guaranteed KO machines. 

Pick: Travis is going to bounce back from his last fight.  This is going to be an entertaining fight.  Expect a finish.  So that being said Travis is on the cheaper side.   I think his last loss dropped his value down, but don’t be afraid this pick.

Anthony Pettis vs Eddie Alvarez

Anthony Pettis is the favorite in this, he is an excellent striker and has awesome submissions.  However his takedown defense sucks.  Eddie just needs to fight a smart fight.  I don’t think Antony Pettis is going to finish Eddie.  He has the ability but I think Eddie is going to do a lot of dirty boxing and just keep Anthony Pettis against the cage. 

Pick I’m picking Eddie.  I think he is going to pressure Pettis and just put a grinding fight on.  Pettis needs to much space to fight, I think  Eddie is going to smoother the guy.  I’m picking Eddie as my upset pick. If you need a cheap upset pick especially in DraftKings. Pick Alvarez.  Eddie is only smart pick if you are hurting for cash.  I agree Pettis is favorite however, I would stay away from Pettis in all DK cards, he cost too much and he is going against a very tough opponent. 

Dominic Cruz vs  TJ Dillashaw

I think these guys are similar fighters with similar skills.  They both have similar style of footwork.  TJ has the wrestling advantage.  The Elephant in the room is, will Cruz be able to comeback with all of his injuries.  Did he change his training?  I think Cruz is going to be the same Cruz from before in his comeback fight against Takeya Mizagaki.  I think the biggest thing about this fight is Cruz’s reach advantage.  I also believe that Cruz is in Dillashaw’s head.

Pick Cruz.  Fantasy must you have to pick the main card fight.  Its 5 five rounds so if it goes to decision you get two extra rounds to gather points.  Also Cruz is a cheap pick in DraftKings and is a must pick.