UFC Vegas 92: Murphy vs Barboza comes to us this weekend from the Apex. These two featherweights look to stake their claim at a top-ranked 145er with a spectacular win. The fight is sure to bring fireworks, but that’s not all that’s worth looking at on Saturday. In fact we dug deeper into the card as well to give you all our UFC Vegas 92 best bets. Come check out these UFC Vegas 92 picks and tail along.
Go here for more UFC picks!
UFC Vegas 92: Murphy vs Barboza – Predictions & Best Bets
Heili Alateng ML (+125) vs. Kleydson Rodrigues
This is as much of a play on Alateng as it is a fade on Rodrigues. For the latter part, Rodrigues has only beat Shannon Ross, who was knocked out in every UFC and Contender Series fight he appeared in. Additionally, his first loss to CJ Vergara showed some alarming signs. He shot a takedown and wound up in bottom mount as a result.
Those issues are likely to rear their ugly head against Alateng. His grappling skills are pretty sharp in their own right. On top of that, I personally think he’s a touch faster than the Brazilian.
Abus Magomedov – Wins via (T)KO (+100)
Another play I really like this weekend is Magomedov’s knockout prop. While he’s only faced the top and bottom-level competition in the UFC, it’s clear that he has solid KO power. He’ll take on Warlley Alves, who has a lot going against him. He’s been off for a while. He’s been KOed in two out of his last three fights, and it appears that the mileage is starting to add up on the 33-year-old. That’s all before pointing out that he’s a really undersized middleweight.
Angela Hill ML (-135) vs Luana Pinheiro
Quietly, Angela Hill has won three of her last four fights, which includes a nice win over hot, rising prospect Loopy Godinez. Hill’s physicality plays against all but the very top grapplers in the strawweight division. Pinheiro doesn’t apply to that standard. In fact, in her last bout, she had issues with the strength of Amanda Ribas – who frankly is a touch less strong than Hill. Expect Hill to crowd her and take her out of her element here.
Vanessa Demopoulos (+3.5)(+110)
The spread play is one I don’t lean on all that often, but it seems like the right move in this one. To be perfectly clear, I think there’s a chance that Demopoulos could win this and cash your moneyline tickets. While that might be tempting, I think the safety of her winning at least one round and not getting finished makes me like this line even more.
Emily Ducote has not wowed on the feet in her last few fights. If she doesn’t turn up the pressure, it’ll be easy to steal at least one. Also, even if she moves forward, there’s a good chance “Lil Monster” can get a takedown and steal a round that way.
Ramiz Brahimaj ML (+120) vs Themba Gorimbo
This is another fight where I like multiple angles. I really think Brahimaj can submit Gorimbo. I think he’ll have plenty of chances on the mat, and he’s won all his fights that way. Gorimbo gave up takedowns to Takashi Sato, who isn’t much of a grappler. But while I like Brahimaj’s submission due to the bulk approach he’ll have, it’s the smarter play here to take the moneyline in case Gorimbo survives. The difference is only .65 cents anyway – so the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
Adrian Yanez – Wins via (T)KO (-110)
Yanez is truly being undervalued here coming off a pair of losses. However, this is a massive step down in competition from what he had been fighting. Back-to-back fights with Rob Font and Jonathan Martinez make Vinicius Salvador seem like a cakewalk. Plus, going into that losing streak, Yanez had five KOs in his last six fights. Salvador will be closer to the level of competition he was doing that too.
If you’d like even more UFC Vegas 92: Murphy vs Barboza Picks, be sure to check out the MMA Gambling Podcast. The guys are dropping weekly episodes to make you the smartest guy at the bar.