UFC Fight Night 93: Arlovski vs. Barnett

Andrei Arlovski vs.  Josh Barnett

ODDS (+130 -150)

Josh Barnett 3^rd Sub                                                       

Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jan Błachowicz

ODDS (-675 + 450)

Gustafsson 1^st KO                                                           

Ryan Bader vs. Ilir Latifi

ODDS (-210 +175)

Latifi Decision  

Nick Hein vs. Tae Hy(un Bang

ODDS (-275 +225)

Nick Decision (Fight of the Night)                                                           

Jessin Ayari vs.  Jim Wallhead

ODDS (+115 -135)

Wallhead Ddecision                                                      

Peter Sobotta vs. Nicolas Dalby

ODDS (+155 -175)

Dalby 3^rd TKO

Taylor Lapilus vs. Leandro Issa   

ODDS (-155 +135)

Issa Sub 3rd                                       

Jarjis Danho vs.Christian Colombo

ODDS (-120 +100)

Colombo TKO 3rd                                                           

Scott Askham vs. Jack Hermansson

ODDS (-110 -110)

Askham Decision                                                            

Rustam Khabilov vs. Leandro Silva

ODDS (-460 +365)

Rustam 2^nd TKO                                                                                

Ashlee Evans-Smith vs. Veronica Macedo

ODDS (-270 +230)

Evans Smith 2^nd TKO

My Draft King Picks

Nicolas Dalby vs Peter Sabotta 

I didn’t really research much into Sabotta. He is a southpaw likes to throw body kicks.  Doesn’t have the worse Jiu Jitsu but works the jab before setting up the right kick to the body.  What can I tell you about Dalby, well he is one tough son of a bitch.   That basically is his best weapon in a fight just being tough as shit.  You’re not going to stop him, you’re not going to finish him.  The dude will be in your face from the first bell to the last.  He has an impressive record of 14-1-1.  He hasn’t looked great in last two fights but that’s because those fighers were on a different level but luickly Peter Sabotta isn’t on that level so I would have to say this is a safe pick. 

Ashlee Evans smith vs Veronica Macedo

So there is a weird thing about WMMA, there aren’t a lot of feeder orgainzations outside of Invicta FC.   Especially when you are talking about international level WMMA, the level of compeition is also very suspect.  That saying Veronica Macaedo is very pretty and apparently some kind of BJJ Black Belt. Under who I don’t know I think people just forget to ask because they are trying to get her number. Veronica is undersized for weight class.  Her last win was via heel hook, couldn’t find that video but I can tell you this Ashlee Evans Smith has good wrestling.  I don’t see Veronica getting her down to the ground. I see Ashlee pressing the pace and putting Veronica back against the cage and just wearying her down.  Veronica taking this fight on short notice and being way to small for the weight class.  I see Ashlee actually finishing this fight.  I’ve seen Ashlee beat a biological man down in the cage.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=remsCdsLLJM

Rustam Khabilov vs. Leandro Silva

Ok so we got a match-up of Russian Sambo fighter against a Brazilian Muay Thai and BJJ fighter.   Have we’ve seen a fighter out of Brazilian with out a black belt in BJJ.  I don’t know I think their P.E classes in grade school had grappling instead dodge-ball and kickball.   I’m giving the grappling advantage to Rustam.   Being a sambo guy he has great suplexes and throws.  Leandro has decent Muay Thai but is lacking in the foot work area.  He often stands still before throwing his combos or during retreats moves straight back instead of circling off the cage.  This will be an issue in the fight as Rustam will be looking for trips and takedowns off the cage and once it gets to the ground. Rustam has effective ground and pound that will open up Rustam to improve position and finish the fight.   Leandro also doesn’t pressure fighters to much and often doesn’t pick up the pace to the later rounds.  I feel if it came to a decision Rustam would out work Silva. So I got to go with Rustam on this one.  Also at being a 4 to 1 favorite Rustam Is the cheapest favorite on Draft Kings at $10,200 with such a large betting line.

Jim Wallhead vs Jessin Ayari

My favorite picks two guys making their UFC debuts.  Had to do some research on Youtube for this one.  I didn’t see anything from Jessin other than a video of him getting his ass kicked and him beating up Tomato Cans.  Jim I’ve seen losing to one of the recent UFC new comers Danny Roberts. In the fight Wallhead was able to get his opponent down to the ground but caught and KOed in the last couple seconds of the match.  Judging International talent is difficult, just by looking at the strength of competition I have to go with Jim Wallhead in this one.  There are a couple of Wallhead opponents I have recognized.  One of the main reasons why I’m picking him is because Draft kings is going against Vegas odds that has Wallhead as a slight favorite.  I think they are going on Jessin record which I think is mistake basically because he hasn’t fought anyone.   I don’t expect a finish from Wallhead but at a value pick I believe he will be able to get enough takedowns through the course of the fight to get the win.  

Taylor Laprise vs Leandro Issa

Taylor Laprise is more of stand up fighter and Leandro Issa has really sloppy Muay Thai.  Taylor Laprise has the stand up advantage in this fight but I’m counting on Leandro jiu Jitsu game to get him through this fight.  I actually think Leandro can get the submission in this fight.  Leandro has a good enough chin to be able to close the distance and to get his takedown.  Taylor Laprise has had issues with the takedown and I haven’t seen him able to effectively keep his opponents at range long enough to not get taken down.  Leandro will most likely get a submission in the 2^nd round.  This is my upset pick of the card.