The octagon is overseas this week for a Fight Night, which means we’re getting a nice fight lineup. It’s amazing what the UFC is capable of when they are trying to sell tickets to an event rather than running shows in their own warehouse. Here are your UFC London predictions & best bets to make Saturday night profitable.
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UFC London Predictions & Best Bets
Sean Brady (-155) vs Leon Edwards
We have two former UFC champions in the top two fights on Saturday, with former UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards facing top challenger Sean Brady in the main event. And I’m going with the American over the Brit.
Brady has a very clear path to victory here – use his relentless wrestling and physical strength to smother Edwards and keep his back on the mat. While statistically Brady is a better striker than Edwards (albeit with more power), that isn’t a viable path for him. Lean into your strengths, Sean, and cash our bet.
Carlos Ulberg (-225) vs Jan Blachowicz
Our second former champ is Jan Blachowicz, former king of the UFC’s light heavyweight division. And for the second time on the night, I’m fading the former champion.
Rarely do former champs climb back up the mountain once they slip off the other side. Blachowicz is now 42 and has been on the shelf for years due to injury. Carlos Ulberg is such a dangerous striker that I think he can handle the legendary ‘Polish Power’.
Gunnar Nelson (-120) vs Kevin Holland
Grappling ace Gunnar Nelson has had an odd UFC career, popping in every couple of years to fight, then disappearing once again to his native Iceland. Normally that would be a concern in picking a fighter to win a fight. However, Nelson’s being given a layup here in Kevin Holland.
Holland can’t grapple and once he’s taken down, he doesn’t work too hard to get himself back up. Plus, Nelson can crack as well and presents a unique karate style on the feet.
Marcin Tybura (+106) vs Mick Parkin
Heavyweight Marcin Tybura opened as a favorite over local boy Mick Parkin but has now flipped to underdog status. Which is fine by me, because I’m in on Tybura.
Parkin has been fed the absolute dreck of the heavyweight division during his rise, which Tybura is definitely not part of. This step up in competition will be too much for him, as will Tybura’s strong wrestling.
Puja Tomar (+150) vs Shauna Bannon
This prelim women’s strawweight fight is a bit of a Spider-Man meme fight, with the difference being India’s Puja Tomar carries much more power and finishing ability in her strikes, while Ireland’s Shauna Bannon still hasn’t shed her point karate roots.
So I’m going with ‘The Cyclone’ as a live dog in this one. Tomar has knocked out six of her nine professional victims, while Bannon has never been stopped in a fight, so the T/KO prop is up to you.
Check out the MMA Gambling Podcast if you’d like even more UFC London picks. The guys are dropping five episodes a week to make you the smartest guy at the bar.
