UFC Austin: Dariush vs Tsarukyan is a welcomed return to the UFC’s schedule. You have to love the cards they put together when they’re on the road and away from the Apex. In addition to being filled with big and exciting fights, this card is loaded up with odds that we love. Check out some of our favorite UFC Austin bets for this weekend.
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UFC Austin: Dariush vs Tsarukyan – Predictions & Best Bets
Jamey-Lyn Horth ML (-185) vs. Veronica Hardy
Veronica Hardy completely blew people away in her last fight. She came in as a +300 underdog and took a lopsided victory in her first fight in three years. I think that performance is weighing heavily on the odds here, and perhaps more than it ought to. That performance was against an MMA fighter with just four professional fights and who couldn’t deal with her physicality. In contrast, she’ll be fighting someone who has seen a much higher level of competition and has handled herself well at bantamweight even.
Drakkar Klose – Wins Via Decision (+175)
I think people are sleeping on just how good Drakkar Klose is. He had this weekend’s headliner Beneil Dariush within an inch of a loss, but unfortunately was on the wrong end of a massive comeback. Still, I think he should have advantages over Joe Solecki in a number of places. While his moneyline looks nice, why not spruce it up on a guy who rarely ends within the fifteeen minute allotment.
Clay Guida ML (+250) vs Joaquim Silva
2017 was the last time Joaquim Silva beat someone without knocking them out. In six years, he hasn’t taken anyone to the cards or managed to submit anyone. He’ll be fighting a legend of the sport, who not only has the best gas tank out there, but seems to be impossible to KO. In fact, he’s been KOed just twice in a 61-fight career.
Jared Gooden – Wins via KO (+400)
While Gooden comes into this fight as the underdog, I think a Gooden KO might be the most likely outcome. Wellington Turman is a guy with solid jiu jitsu skills. However, he’s easy to hit and he has spotty takedowns. If he stands and trades with Gooden for an extended period of time, I can see Turman taking a name fairly easily in this one.
Arman Tsarukyan – Wins by (T)KO (+135)
The lines on the main event just seem to keep getting wider and wider. While I liked where Tsarukyan opened, it now seems like the moneyline is off limits. To make that number a bit more palatable, let’s look to the methods. With his wrestling being as strong as it is, he should be able to dictate where the fight takes place. With the striking advantage and more than a few TKOs on the record, let’s go with him getting Dariush out of there with strikes.
Cody Brundage ML (+185) vs. Zach Reese
A lot of people aren’t trusting of Cody Brundage because of his fight IQ. That’s fair due to the number of times he’s jumped guillotine in a bad situation. Still, he has unquestionable skills when applied correctly. He hits hard and has solid wrestling. Zach Reese struggled with those skills in his Contender Series fight before getting a submission. I think Brundage can follow that gameplan and keep his elbows safe en route to a victory here.
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