picks and betting tips – Page 47

UFC Vegas 16: Jack Hermansson vs. Marvin Vettori odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Vegas 16 fight between Jack Hermansson and Marvin Vettori, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a middleweight bout in the co-main event on Saturday’s card, Jack Hermansson and Marvin Vettori meet at UFC Vegas 16 at the UFC’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, followed by the main card on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET. Other names for the event are UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Vettori and UFC on ESPN 19.

Hermansson (21-5) is coming off a Round 1 knockout of Kelvin Gastelum last time out on July 18, winning in 78 seconds on the Figueiredo-Benavidez card at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Hermansson has won five of his past six bouts, including three submission victories. Since arriving at the UFC level, nine of his 11 fights have finished inside the distance with five KO/TKO endings (3-2) and four stoppages via submission (3-1). He enters the octagon with a one-inch height advantage, while holding a three-inch reach advantage over his counterpart. He also holds a 5.08 to 4.33 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, and leads 48.54 to 43.81 in significant strikes-accuracy percentage. He is also ahead 2.19 to 1.67 in takedown advantage.

Vettori (15-4-1) – a.k.a. “The Italian Dream” – enters on a three-bout win streak. The southpaw posted a first-round submission win over Karl Roberson last time out on June 13. It was a rare stoppage, as Vettori’s previous six fights went the distance (3-2-1). The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist might normally try and get Hermansson to the canvas, but the Scandinavian fighter is just as effective on the mat as Vettori. If Vettori does go that route, his specialties are the guillotine and the rear-naked choke.

Place your legal, online UFC Vegas 16 sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. New customer offer. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Jack Hermansson vs. Marvin Vettori: Betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:58 a.m. ET.

VETTORI (-145) has been the hotter fighter lately, and he is the play in this co-main event. You can expect that it’s going to be a rather lengthy bout, too, as the Italian doesn’t go for the early finish very often.

As such, go for OVER 3.5 ROUNDS (+105), which is a value play at plus-money. Rolling the dice on YES (+165): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is also a tremendous value at this price. In addition, if you want a better play than Vettori on the 2-way line, look to VETTORI ON POINTS (+340) to more than triple up. Yes, if he wins via knockout or submission, you’re out of luck, but it’s worth the risk.

If you’re not feeling Vettori for the win, but still want some action with a nice value, look to DECISION (+165) for the fight finish. If either fighter has their arm raised after the fight goes to the judges’ cards, you’re a winner.

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Get some action on UFC Vegas 16 by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see:

UFC on ESPN 19 predictions (MMA Junkie)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 19 weigh-ins & faceoffs (MMA Junkie)
More UFC/MMA coverage from MMA Junkie

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UFC Vegas 16: Ovince Saint Preux vs. Jamahal Hill odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Vegas 16 fight between Ovince Saint Preux and Jamahal Hill, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a light heavyweight bout in the co-main event on Saturday’s card, Ovince Saint Preux and Jamahal Hill meet at UFC Vegas 16 at the UFC’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, followed by the main card on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET. Other names for the event are UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Vettori and UFC on ESPN 19.

Saint Preux (25-14) enters this one with a slight one-inch reach advantage. The veteran is coming off a second-round KO/TKO over Alonzo Menifield on the Sept. 5 Overeem-Sakai card at this very same venue. Eight of his past 10 fights have finished inside the distance, including three of the past four. He has two wins and no losses by way of knockout, and six finishes via submission, winning four of those fights.

Hill (7-0) had the result of his last fight against Klidson Abreu overturned on the May 30 Woodley-Burns card at this same venue. He knocked out Abreu in the first round at UFC on ESPN 9, but a positive marijuana test stripped him of that win, something he was extremely angry about. He was suspended until November and fined 15 percent of his show money, which roughly came out to $1,800.

Place your legal, online UFC Vegas 16 sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. New customer offer. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Ovince Saint Preux vs. Jamahal Hill: Betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:41 a.m. ET.

HILL (-165) steps back into the octagon with a chip on his shoulder and a lot to prove against the veteran Saint Preux (+140). Hill is angry about the positive drug test, and he is on record saying his usage occurred before he even took his last fight, not during training. He’ll have a point to prove, and that always makes for an attractive wager.

Look for HILL BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+160) on the 5-way line, as he looks for the kill-shot early. As such, I like a two-round block taking HILL IN ROUND 1 (+400) and HILL IN ROUND 2 (+600). You will lose one end, but if he picks up the victory in either of the first two rounds, you’re still well ahead, which is always nice.

In addition, take UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-140), which is a little cheaper and more attractive than No (-185): Will the fight go the distance?

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Also see:

UFC on ESPN 19 predictions (MMA Junkie)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 19 weigh-ins & faceoffs (MMA Junkie)
More UFC/MMA coverage from MMA Junkie

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC Vegas 16: Gabriel Benitez vs. Justin Jaynes odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Vegas 16 fight between Gabriel Benitez and Justin Jaynes, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a lightweight bout on Saturday’s main card, Gabriel Benitez and Justin Jaynes meet at UFC Vegas 16 at the UFC’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, followed by the main card on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET. Other names for the event are UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Vettori and UFC on ESPN 19.

Benitez (21-9) heads into this one as a moderate favorite. He stands one inch taller than this counterpart with a three-inch reach advantage. The southpaw enters on a two-bout losing streak with a first-round knockout loss to Sodiq Yusuff on the UFC 241 card, and a unanimous-decision setback to Omar Morales last time out on May 13 in Jacksonville, Fla. “Moggly” is just 5-4 in nine fights at the UFC level, with five of his fights ending via stoppage. In 30 career fights, 21 of his bouts have finished inside the distance, with seven wins via KO/TKO (7-2), and 12 by way of submission (10-2).

Jaynes (16-5) is looking to bounce back after a third-round submission loss to Gavin Tucker Aug. 8 on the Lewis-Oleinik card. He is 1-1 in two fights at the UFC level, knocking out Frank Camacho in his UFC debut June 20. In 21 career professional fights, he has eight KO/TKO victories with no losses, and he is 6-1 via submission. “The Guitar Hero” has never lost consecutive fights in his pro career.

Place your legal, online UFC Vegas 16 sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. New customer offer. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Gabriel Benitez vs. Justin Jaynes: Betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:22 a.m. ET.

JAYNES (+190) is worth a roll of the dice against the moderately-favored Benitez (-225). Jaynes has never dropped back-to-back fights, and it isn’t about to start now.

JAYNES BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+300) is also worth a small-unit play, while selecting a two-round block could also be a lucrative way to go. Bet JAYNES IN ROUND 2 (+1000) and JAYNES IN ROUND 3 (+1500). If he comes through in either of those rounds with a finish, yes, you will lose one end, but you will still be way ahead.

In addition, playing NO (-145): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a decent bet.

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Also see:

UFC on ESPN 19 predictions (MMA Junkie)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 19 weigh-ins & faceoffs (MMA Junkie)
More UFC/MMA coverage from MMA Junkie

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC Vegas 16: Montana De La Rosa vs. Taila Santos odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Vegas 16 fight between Montana De La Rosa and Taila Santos, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a women’s flyweight bout on Saturday’s main card, Montana De La Rosa and Taila Santos meet at UFC Vegas 16 at the UFC’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, followed by the main card on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET. Other names for the event are UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Vettori and UFC on ESPN 19.

De La Rosa (11-6) started out 3-0 with three submission victories, but she has cooled off lately with just one win in her past three bouts – all three going the distance. Over 17 career professional fights, De La Rosa has had 10 fights finish inside the distance with one KO/TKO loss and nine finishes via submission (8-1). On the mat, De La Rosa’s go-to moves for a tap out are either the armbar or the rear-naked choke.

Santos (16-1) is heavily favored in this one because she is statistically better in nearly every facet. She has a 4.09 to 3.03 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, and she is ahead 46.00 to 35.42 in significant strikes-accuracy percentage. She is also up 2.33 to 1.96 in takedown average, with a whopping 77.78 to 30.00 takedown-accuracy percentage. She lost her UFC debut against Mara Romero Borella by split-decision on Feb. 2, 2019, but she bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Molly McCann July 15. Each of Santos’ past three fights have gone the distance.

Place your legal, online UFC Vegas 16 sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. New customer offer. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Montana De La Rosa vs. Taila Santos: Betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:35 a.m. ET.

Santos (-225) is just a little heavier of a favorite than I am comfortable playing, so let’s get a little more specific.

SANTOS ON POINTS (-110) is the way to go as each of her two fights at the UFC level have gone the distance. Again, as previously mentioned, playing -225 on the two-way line is a little more expensive than I am comfortable with. However, sometimes you have to roll the dice a little, and playing YES (-225): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? should be a safe play.

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Also see:

UFC on ESPN 19 predictions (MMA Junkie)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 19 weigh-ins & faceoffs (MMA Junkie)
More UFC/MMA coverage from MMA Junkie

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC Vegas 16: Movsar Evloev vs. Nate Landwehr odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Vegas 16 fight between Movsar Evloev and Nate Landwehr, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a featherweight bout on Saturday’s main card, Movsar Evloev and Nate Landwehr meet at UFC Vegas 16 at the UFC’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, followed by the main card on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET. Other names for the event are UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Vettori and UFC on ESPN 19.

Evloev (13-0) is a perfect 3-0 since arriving at the UFC level, winning each of his fights by unanimous decision. His last fight was a victory over Mike Grundy on the Whittaker-Till card back on July 25. In 13 career professional bouts, he recorded stoppages in seven outings, winning three via KO/TKO and four by way of submission, with the rear-naked choke his calling card. He has managed 4.44 significant strikes landed per minute while posting a 43.38 significant strikes-accuracy percentage. That’s all well and good, but his best work is done on the canvas. He has a 3.00 takedown average and 33.33 takedown-accuracy percentage, too.

Landwehr (14-3), who stands two inches taller than his counterpart, is a punching machine. He has posted 6.89 significant strikes landed per minute with a 50.21 significant strikes-accuracy percentage. He doesn’t really do any work on the mat, and he’ll be looking to keep this fight upright as long as he can. He was knocked out in the first round in 2:43 in his UFC debut Jan. 25 by Herbert Burns before bouncing back with a unanimous decision win over Darren Elkins May 16. While two of his past three pro bouts have gone the distance, seven of his past 11 matches have ended via stoppage.

Place your legal, online UFC Vegas 16 sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. New customer offer. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Movsar Evloev vs. Nate Landwehr: Betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:56 a.m. ET.

Evloev (-650) is just too expensive on the 2-way line, so get creative with your ticket. You cannot risk six and a half times your potential return. That’s just not a good long-term strategy.

First off, all three of Evloev’s fights at the UFC level have been unanimous-decision wins, so playing YES (-175): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a strong play. In addition, going with EVLOEV ON POINTS (-125) is also a solid wager, although if he were to win via knockout or submission, your ticket is a loser.

OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-200) is a little more expensive than I care to play, but that should be a sound wager, too.

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Also see:

UFC on ESPN 19 predictions (MMA Junkie)
Photos: UFC on ESPN 19 weigh-ins & faceoffs (MMA Junkie)
More UFC/MMA coverage from MMA Junkie

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC on ESPN+ 42: Josh Parisian vs. Parker Porter odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark fight between Josh Parisian vs. Parker Porter, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a heavyweight bout on the main card, Josh Parisian and Parker Porter meet at UFC on ESPN+ 42 – also called UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Clark – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card on ESPN/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET.

Parisian (13-3) will be making his UFC debut, as he accomplished everything he possibly could at the lower levels. He simply wasn’t being tested anymore, posting six straight knockout wins, five in the first round. His last loss came Feb. 16, 2019, at the Lights Out Championship 2, a submission loss to Brett Martin, so that’s something to watch.

Porter (10-6) made his company debut at UFC 252 on Aug. 15 against Chris Daukaus, and he was knocked out at 4:28 of the first round. Now, he looks to flip the script and welcome Parisian to the UFC level in the same fashion. It has been a mixed bag for Porter in his career. Four of his past seven fights have finished inside the distance, going 4-3 in those outings. At the lower levels, he has shown the versatility to be able to win by way of knockout or submission.

Place your legal, online UFC 255 bets in CO, IN, NJ, WV and TN at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Josh Parisian vs. Parker Porter: Betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 4 p.m. ET.

PARISIAN (-205) is a moderate favorite for a reason, and he’ll get it done to drop Porter (+170) to 0-2 at the UFC level.

I just don’t like the fact Porter hasn’t dominated at the lower levels, and he was dusted in a knockout in his UFC debut. Yes, the heavyweight division is a lot different than the lighter divisions, and one of the losses for Porter was a disqualification. But I am not in a hurry to back a fighter who is just 5-5 over his past 10 career fights. Parisian is on a serious roll, and he brings a tremendous amount of punching power with him.

I’d be surprised if this one gets late into the second round. BET UNDER 1.5 ROUNDS (-134), and taking PARISIAN IN ROUND 1 (+220) and PARISIAN IN ROUND 2 (+400) is a good bet. Yes, you’ll lose one bet, but if he wins in the first two rounds, you’ll still be well in the black.

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Get some action on UFC on ESPN+ 42 by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Also see:

Curtis Blaydes tests positive for COVID-19, UFC on ESPN 18 main event scrapped (MMA Junkie)
More UFC/MMA coverage from MMA Junkie

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC on ESPN+ 42: Miguel Baeza vs. Takashi Sato odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 42 fight between Miguel Baeza vs. Takashi, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a welterweight bout on the main card, Miguel Baeza and Takashi Sato meet at UFC on ESPN+ 42 – also called UFC on ESPN 18 and UFC Fight Night 183 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card on ESPN/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET.

Baeza (9-0) puts his unblemished record on the line against the experienced Japanese southpaw Sato (16-3). The American steps into the octagon towering four inches over his counterpart with a 1.5-inch reach advantage. In addition, he holds a 4.78 to 3.94 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, and he is a lot more pinpoint, posting a 56.12 to 41.90 significant strikes-accuracy percentage advantage.

Sato has a slight advantage on the ground, and that’s where he’ll likely want to take the fight as soon as possible. Baeza, meanwhile, will want to turn this into a street fight. He has won seven of his nine career professional bouts via KO/TKO, including each of his two fights at the UFC level over Hector Aldana and Matt Brown. Both of the knockout wins for “Caramel Thunder” in the UFC have come in the second round.

Sato knocked out Jason Witt in 48 seconds last time out on June 27 at this very same facility, bouncing back from a submission loss to Belal Muhammad on the UFC 242 card. All three of Sato’s UFC level fights have finished inside the distance, with two wins by knockout and the submission loss to Muhammad. In fact, nine straight pro fights for Sato have finished inside the distance.

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. New customer offer. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Miguel Baeza vs. Takashi Sato: Betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 3:39 p.m. ET.

SATO (+135) is worth playing for the mild upset. He is an experienced fighter who has the punching power to match that of Baeza (-162), something the latter hasn’t seen to date against any of his opponents. Sato can do it in a number of ways, too. He can wow the judges with his technical ability, and he can finish on the ground if need be, too, although that’s not his specialty. Sato has 19 career pro fights, with 12 ending via KO/TKO (11-1).

The lean is to Sato in this bout, as he has the experience and ability to win it in a number of different ways. SATO BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+230) is a decent value on the 5-way line, too, and take UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-176) as part of a winning ticket.

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Also see:

Blaydes tests positive for COVID-19, main event scrapped (MMA Junkie)
More UFC/MMA coverage from MMA Junkie

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC on ESPN+ 42: Bill Algeo vs. Spike Carlyle odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark between Bill Algeo vs. Spike Carlyle, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a featherweight bout on the main card, Bill Algeo and Spike Carlyle meet at UFC on ESPN+ 42 – also called UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Clark – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card on ESPN/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET.

Carlyle (9-2) steps into the octagon standing four inches shorter than his counterpart, and he has a 2.5-inch reach disadvantage, too. But what he lacks in physical stature, he makes up for with experience, takedown ability and wrestling.

Carlyle was surprised last time out on the main card May 30 against Billy Quarantillo, losing a unanimous decision. If you remember, Carlyle thought he had the finish, and walked away casually with his back turned. The fight wasn’t over, and Quarantillo clocked him in the back of the head, knocking him to the fence. That might have really struck a chord with the judges, and it’s a lesson that Carlyle learned the hard way. In two fights at the UFC level, he is 1-1, recording a first-round knockout in 85 seconds against Aalon Cruz in Jacksonville on Feb. 29.

Algeo (13-5) made his UFC debut last time out on Aug. 29 in this very same venue, falling by unanimous decision to Ricardo Lamas on the Smith-Rakic card. He is a punching machine, racking up an impressive 7.87 significant strikes landed per minute over his career, but that speed was a bit muted in his bout with the veteran Lamas. Fights at the Ring of Combat level, or in the CFFC is much different than the experienced and speed of fighters at the top level of MMA.

Place your legal, online UFC 255 bets in CO, IN, NJ, WV and TN at BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Spike Carlyle vs. Bill Algeo: Betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

CARLYLE (-189) is right about at the level of my limit for betting a fighter on the 2-way line. However, he was embarrassed a bit and angered by his loss last time out against Quarantillo. He won’t be caught letting his guard down ever again, and he is likely to be ultra-aggressive firing out of the box against Algeo.

Algeo is in need of a win to avoid the potential danger of being dropped from the promotion, but you simply can’t take him on the 2-way line. He struggled in his fight against Lamas, and the switch stance Carlyle will be looking to get Algeo to the ground as quickly as possible. He is 3-0 via submission in 11 career professional fights, and 5-0 via KO/TKO. That’s eight fights for Carlyle finished inside the distance, and he’ll look to add another one here.

Bet NO (-154) ON ‘WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE?’, as it is worth the moderate juice, and taking CARLYLE BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (+115) on the 5-way line is also a good play.

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Also see:

Curtis Blaydes tests positive for COVID-19, UFC on ESPN 18 main event scrapped (MMA Junkie)
More UFC/MMA coverage from MMA Junkie

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC on ESPN+ 42: Anthony Smith vs. Devin Clark odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 42 fight between Anthony Smith vs. Devin Clark, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In a light heavyweight bout on the main card, Anthony Smith and Devin Clark meet at UFC on ESPN+ 42 – also called UFC on ESPN 18 and UFC Fight Night 183 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card on ESPN/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET.

Smith (33-16) carries a ton of experience into the octagon for his bout against Clark (12-4). When the two touch gloves before the bell rings, Smith will be standing four inches taller than Clark with a one-inch reach advantage.

Smith has been in freefall since a unanimous decision loss for the title at UFC 235 against Jon Jones on March 2, 2019. Smith has won just once in the past four fights, although losses to Glover Teixeira and Aleksandar Rakic are certainly nothing to hang your head about. Still, Smith is moving further and further away from a chance to get back to the top of the division and fight for a strap. He can ill afford another setback. Two of his past three fights have finished inside the distance, and eight of his 10 bouts at the UFC level have ended up with a stoppage, including four knockout wins and two submission victories.

Clark doesn’t have the lengthy resume like Smith. He has yet to fight for a title at the UFC level, but he has been pretty good. He has back-to-back wins over Dequan Townsend and Alonzo Menifield, both via unanimous decision. Clark’s loss against Ryan Spann on Oct. 12, 2019 came by way of submission in the second round, and like Smith, he also has a setback against Rakic (on the UFC 231 card). Since arriving at the UFC level, Clark is 6-4 with all six wins via unanimous decision, while his four losses have come with two submission setbacks and a pair of knockouts.

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks. New customer offer. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Anthony Smith vs. Devin Clark: Betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 3 p.m. ET.

SMITH (-139) will get off the schneid with a victory over Clark, snapping his little mini skid. Take him on the 2-way line for a solid win.

In addition, play NO (-110): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? as I am just not feeling the defense of Clark. The latter has dominated the fights he is supposed to dominate, but whenever he has faced stiffer competition, he hasn’t offered a lot of resistance. He is susceptible to the big punch, and his grappling isn’t that great, either. As such, I think Smith ends this via stoppage. Take SMITH BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+165) for a solid value.

Look for a fight finish in ROUND 2 (+470) and/or ROUND 3 (+700). If you bet a two-round block, and bet a non-winner specific set and the fight ends in either round, you’ll be well ahead even losing one of the ends.

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Also see:

Blaydes tests positive for COVID-19, main event scrapped (MMA Junkie)
More UFC/MMA coverage from MMA Junkie

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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UFC on ESPN+ 42: Ashlee Evans-Smith vs. Norma Dumont odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark between Ashlee Evans-Smith vs. Norma Dumont, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and predictions.

In the women’s bantamweight preliminary bout, Ashlee Evans-Smith and Norma Dumont meet at UFC on ESPN+ 42 – also called UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Clark – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+, followed by the main card on ESPN/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET.

Evans-Smith (6-4) steps into the octagon as a moderate favorite, and the main reason is her speed. She has posted 4.86 significant strikes landed per minute while managing a 35.70 significant strikes accuracy percentage. Evans-Smith hasn’t fought since Feb. 17, 2019, the longest layoff of her career. She was expected to return after a 13-month hiatus due to injury and surgery, fighting on the UFC London card in March 2020. However, we all know COVID-19 wiped out plenty of events and sent the sports world into disarray.

Evans-Smith is just 1-3 across the past four bouts, with two losses by unanimous decision and one via submission in the first round against Sarah Moras at UFC 215. The last time she tasted victory was over two and a half calendar years ago against Bec Rawlings at UFC 223 on April 7, 2018.

Dumont (4-1) made her UFC debut on the Benavidez-Figueiredo card in Jacksonville on Feb. 29, getting knocked out in the first round against Megan Anderson. It turns out that “The Immortal” didn’t live up to her nickname. The 30-year-old from the Gordinho Fight Team now gets to face a veteran champing at the bit to get back into the octagon and get a win. It’s a tough spot.

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Ashlee Evans-Smith vs. Norma Dumont: Betting odds, predictions and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 2:55 p.m. ET.

The long layoff for EVANS-SMITH (-139) doesn’t concern me at all, as she knows what it takes to prepare herself during fight week, even after a long time away from the octagon. On the flip side, Dumont (+115) didn’t look good in her first fight at the UFC level, as Anderson made quick work of her.

In 10 career professional fights, Evans-Smith has three victories by knockout with no losses. She might come out with fists flying, trying to put away Dumont early. As long as she can avoid going to the canvas, as wrestling isn’t exactly her forte, she’ll get her hand raised and she’ll do it well within the distance, too.

To watch the early prelims and prelims, sign up for ESPN+ now.

Also see:

Curtis Blaydes tests positive for COVID-19, UFC on ESPN 18 main event scrapped (MMA Junkie)
More UFC/MMA coverage from MMA Junkie

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