We’ve got the UFC Fight Night predictions you need to fill out your DraftKings lineups for this weekend’s MMA daily fantasy.
The UFC is back at it once more this Saturday from the cozy confines of their home gym, the UFC Apex. Unfortunately, the card is lacking, especially coming off of the high of last week’s UFC 252, headlined by Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier to determine the greatest heavyweight fighter of all-time. This week we get Pedro Munhoz welcoming former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar to the bantamweight division. Other than that, it’s a card bereft of big name talent.
Which means if you do your research, you should be able to find yourself some underpriced gems on DraftKings (promo code SGP). And your research starts right here.
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Mariya Agapova – $9,300
My big money pickup this week is that badass pictured above, Kazakhstan’s Mariya Agapova. Sporting a 9-1 record as a pro, she burst onto the UFC scene earlier this summer, pummeling Hannah Cifers before sinking in a rear-naked choke. Her 29 significant strikes, 1 knockdown, 1 advancing position and the submission win earned her 118 points. I expect the same from her this week, as she’s facing Shana Dobson, who is only 3-4 as a pro and 1-3 in the UFC.
Daniel Rodriguez – $8,700
‘D-Rod’, Daniel Rodriguez, is also a top pick of mine this week. After only costing $7,100 and $7,300 in his first two UFC fights, DraftKings has caught on and priced him at $8,700 for this Saturday’s bout with Takashi Sato. I still think he’ll be worth that price, as he was good for 105 points his first UFC fight, then 126 last fight. Hopefully his point totals continues to trend up.
Joe Solecki – $8,400
Joe Solecki is another fighter who made a successful UFC debut earlier this summer – he beat veteran Matt Wiman just last month. His 56 significant strikes, 4 takedowns and 6 advancing earned him a healthy 96 points on that night. His opponent this week, Austin Hubbard, struggles with wrestlers, and Solecki just so happens to be one, so good point potential here.
Jorge Gonzalez – $8,000
Yes, I picked Jorge Gonzalez’s foe – Ike Villanueva – to win on Saturday, but I consider this fight pretty much a toss-up. And with both guys being big swingers, and big knockout artists, I think the chance of this fight ending in a knockout is very high. Plus, I didn’t have enough money in my lineup to fit Villanueva on it, so…
Ovince Saint Preux – $7,900
OSP didn’t look so hot in his one-fight cameo at heavyweight, getting outclassed by Ben Rothwell, but Saturday he’ll be back down in his natural 205-pound light heavyweight division. He’ll be facing another athletic freak in Alonzo Menifield. I’m counting on Saint Preux’s extensive experience, and sneaky submission game, to carry the day here for us. Or he could get sparked out by Menifield’s scary striking power. Either or.
Amanda Lemos – $7,600
Here’s a steal of a pick. Amanda Lemos at only $7,600 is great. First off, she scored 102 points in her last fight for only $7,300. Plus, in Saturday’s fight against Mizuki Inoue, she’ll have a considerable grappling advantage over her Japanese foe. If she can tap Inoue out, we could be looking at another 100+ point night. Even if she can’t, she should be able to rack up the points via takedowns and controlling the action.
