While the UFC continues to be the king when it comes to MMA and gambling, there is more MMA than ever to bet on now. Promotions all over the world as well as domestic ones are showing up in sportsbooks. The advantage here is that the data is usually quite a bit less sharp than when you’re making MMA predictions for the UFC. So we’ve decided to dig into some each week to get you started on your regional MMA journey. This week we head overseas for RIZIN Landmark 16 from Nagasaki, Japan for our regional MMA pick.
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MMA Regional Pick of the Week: RIZIN Landmark 16
RIZIN Heavyweight Fight: Mac Papalii vs Yukinori Akazawa
Card Start Time: Friday (10/2), 11:30pm EST (Internet PPV)
On the undercard of this RIZIN Landmark 16 card, there are a couple of heavyweight fights between fighters with big upside. Some of those fighters are pretty early in their career, but there is plenty to be excited about.
One of those heavyweights to be excited for Mac Papalii. The prospect carries on the long tradition of powerful Samoan heavyweights. The comparisons between Mark Hunt are much more than just where they were born or how they are shaped. Papalii brings big hooks and devastating, one-touch knockout power.
Papalii will likely find himself with a willing partner to trade on Friday night. Yukinori Akazawa steps into this fight on short notice as Alboury Ndiaye failed the medical check. Akazawa enjoys throwing, but it has cost him plenty of times in the past. He has been knocked out six times over the course of 14 fights. Papalii should be able to add to that mark here and help us cash a reasonable moneyline.
RIZIN Landmark 16 Pick: Mac Papalii ML (-155)
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If you’d like even more info to help make your MMA and UFC picks and predictions for Cage Warriors 210, check out the MMA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
