The UFC octagon is on the move again this week, setting down in the Music City – Nashville – for the first time since March 2019. We have a short notice catchweight fight in the main event – but it should be a good one with title implications at bantamweight. And the co-main event is top shelf, as well. Here are my UFC Nashville predictions and best bets.
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UFC Nashville Predictions & Best Bets
Cory Sandhagen (-315) vs. Rob Font
To the aforementioned main event, we go – Cory Sandhagen vs. replacement opponent (for Umar Nurmagomedov) Rob Font at 140 pounds. ‘The Sandman’ is a tough matchup for anyone with a full camp under their belt – he should be even tougher for Font stepping in here on a little over two weeks’ notice. Sandhagen is bigger, younger, and pretty much indestructible. It’ll be a bloody battle, but Sandhagen should prevail (probably via decision, +175).
Tatiana Suarez (-350) vs. Jessica Andrade
The co-main event is a doozy as well, worthy of main-eventing a Fight Night card on its own. Former UFC Strawweight Champion Jessica Andrade is stepping in (on a month and a half notice) for Virna Jandiroba to face wrestling sensation Tatiana Suarez. A two-time bronze medalist at the world championships in wrestling, Suarez came back to MMA this past February, after almost four years on the shelf, to submit Montana De La Rosa in her last fight.
A perfect 9-0 in MMA, Suarez should handle Andrade, but I wouldn’t say I like the moneyline number. You’re better off betting Suarez via T/KO (+540) and/or Suarez via submission (+128) and/or Suarez inside the distance (-188).
Dustin Jacoby (+140) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
I’ll get in on a dog in the third fight from the top, a light heavyweight fight between Dustin Jacoby and Kennedy Nzechukwu. This should be a striking battle (unless Jacoby decides to wrestle), and in that case, I like the kickboxing champ, Jacoby. Nzechukwu gets hit too much, which is a problem when you’re facing an experienced striker who can crack like Jacoby (11 of 18 pro-MMA wins via knockout).
Ignacio Bahamondes (-350) vs. L’udovit Klein
Chilean Ignacio Bahamondes is a 6’1″ lightweight – huge for the 155-pound weight class. He’ll be eight inches taller than opponent L’udovit Klein and have three inches of reach on him. This one will probably end up being a brawl, in which case the better – and more powerful – striker Bahamondes will have the advantage.
Jeremiah Wells (-130) vs. Carlston Harris
Jeremiah Wells at -130 against Carlston Harris might be my favorite line for Saturday night. Wells is a great wrestler with one-hit knockout power in his hands. Wells via T/KO at +200 seems too good of a price not to put some money down on it – Wells has knocked out two of his last four opponents, and Harris has been knocked out twice in his career, including two fights ago.
Ode’ Osbourne (+164) vs. Asu Almabayev
My favorite underdog of the week is Ode’ Osbourne in the curtain jerker. He faces newcomer Asu Almabayev in a flyweight fight. I think Almabayev is being overvalued here because of his wrestling (or the assumption he can wrestle). Not only is Osbourne huge for a 125-pounder, but he is also a sneaky good wrestler and has an unusually long reach, which he’ll use to bust Almabayev up on the feet.
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