Off Guard: Ali Abdelaziz says getting Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson done was easy for UFC 249

Ali Abdelaziz says it was an easy process to get the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fight done for UFC 249 in Brooklyn in April.

The stakes may be a lot higher in the fifth attempt to book the [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] fight, but Ali Abdelaziz says the process was smooth sailing.

UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) will defend his title against Tony Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) at UFC 249 on April 18 in Brooklyn, N.Y., in a matchup that has been a long time coming.

“It’s easy,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “Khabib has a really good contract. His job is to defend his belt against the best of the best. I feel like Khabib, 28-0, undefeated, 12-0 in the UFC, Tony’s (won 12 in a row) – I believe Tony is the right guy. He deserves it. He earned it. He’s been asking for this ass whooping for a long time. They should have fought five times.

“It was March or April, that was the date, and we thought Brooklyn – it’s a good place to have the fight. The UFC was an easy process – no problem. We got it done. I know Tony had a little bit of a hiccup, but his team and him got it done, too. I think it’s all good. The fight is happening.”

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Nurmagomedov won the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 223 in Brooklyn when he beat Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision. He was initially scheduled to face Ferguson, but a freak accident forced Ferguson out the fight.

Both Nurmagomedov and Ferguson have been forced to pull out twice each in their four previously scheduled bouts. Abdelaziz thinks the long journey, and how far both fighters have come, is what makes this fight even bigger.

“You cannot find a better story, a better fight, better – just a pure martial art form of fight than this fight.”

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Michael Thomas named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November

Big-time production warrants big-time recognition, and that’s what Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas earned after setting the league on fire in November The NFL named Thomas as the NFC Offensive Player of the Month after posting up 37 receptions (on targets) and 415 receiving yards in the Saints’ four games On the year so far, he leads the entire NFL in both receptions (110) and receiving yards (1,290) Thomas joins teammate Thomas Morstead as two Saints players to be recognized here this season; the Saints’ veteran punter was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September

Big-time production warrants big-time recognition, and that’s what Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas earned after setting the league on fire in November The NFL named Thomas as the NFC Offensive Player of the Month after posting up 37 receptions (on targets) and 415 receiving yards in the Saints’ four games On the year so far, he leads the entire NFL in both receptions (110) and receiving yards (1,290) Thomas joins teammate Thomas Morstead as two Saints players to be recognized here this season; the Saints’ veteran punter was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September

Michael Thomas named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November

Big-time production warrants big-time recognition, and that’s what Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas earned after setting the league on fire in November The NFL named Thomas as the NFC Offensive Player of the Month after posting up 37 receptions (on targets) and 415 receiving yards in the Saints’ four games On the year so far, he leads the entire NFL in both receptions (110) and receiving yards (1,290) Thomas joins teammate Thomas Morstead as two Saints players to be recognized here this season; the Saints’ veteran punter was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September

Big-time production warrants big-time recognition, and that’s what Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas earned after setting the league on fire in November The NFL named Thomas as the NFC Offensive Player of the Month after posting up 37 receptions (on targets) and 415 receiving yards in the Saints’ four games On the year so far, he leads the entire NFL in both receptions (110) and receiving yards (1,290) Thomas joins teammate Thomas Morstead as two Saints players to be recognized here this season; the Saints’ veteran punter was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September

Eagles sign WR Marken Michel to the practice squad

Eagles sign WR Marken Michel to the practice squad

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed wide receiver Marken Michel to the practice squad the team just announced.

Michel shined during the preseason, catching four passes for 117 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown pass from Nate Sudfeld.

The former CFL star is the brother of Patriots star running back, Sony Michel.

Vols offer cornerback Dequan Walker

Vols offer cornerback Dequan Walker.

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Cornerback Dequan Walker has received an offer from the University of Tennessee.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back played at Mount Union in 2019, appearing in three games and recording two tackles. He played at Palm Beach Gardens High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Walker will be making his college decision and future destination in February and will be part of the 2020 class.

2020 recruiting class signing dates

The 2019 Early Signing Period will take place Dec. 18-20 and National Signing Day will be held on Feb. 5.

The Vols’ 2020 commitment tracker can be followed below.

University of Tennessee’s 2020 football recruiting class tracker

Houston Rockets at Toronto Raptors odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Houston Rockets at Toronto Raptors sports betting odds and lines with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Toronto Raptors (15-5) host the Houston Rockets (13-7) Thursday at Scotiabank Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Rockets-Raptors odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Rockets at Raptors: Key injuries

Rockets

  • SG Eric Gordon (knee) out
  • SF Gerald Green (foot) out
  • SF Danuel House Jr. (illness) questionable

Raptors

  • SG Matt Thomas (illness/finger) out

Rockets at Raptors: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Raptors 112, Rockets 106

Moneyline (ML)

The RAPTORS (-129) are 8-2 across their last 10 games, but they’re coming off a 121-110 overtime loss against the Miami Heat Tuesday. The Rockets (+105) have won six of their last 10 but took a 135-133 loss in double overtime against the San Antonio Spurs last time out.

Toronto is 9-1 at home while Houston is 5-5 on the road. The Raptors outscore the opposition by an average of 8.1 points per game with the Rockets winning by an average of 5.4 PPG. Bank on the Raptors defense, which held the opposition below 100 points in five of the last eight games to at least slow down the Rockets and G James Harden.

New to sports betting? A $10 on the Raptors to win outright returns a profit of $7.75.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Get slightly better value with the RAPTORS (-1.5, -115) on the spread. A win by two or more points will fetch a profit of $8.70.

The Rockets (+1.5, -106) are 10-10 against the spread overall and 4-6 ATS on the road. The Raptors are 13-7 ATS overall and 8-2 at home. They’ll need to win by just one possession and they haven’t played a game within a single point all year, nor have the Rockets. Take the added value.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Raptors are12-8 against Over/Under and top the projected totals by 1.7 points per game. The Rockets are 9-11 against the projections, but top the number by an average 4.3 PPG. Take the UNDER 228.5 (+105) as the Raptors slow this down in hopes of containing Harden.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 66-53

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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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Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots odds, lines, picks and best bets

Previewing the Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots huge Week 14 matchup, with NFL betting odds, lines, picks and best bets

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The New England Patriots (10-2) host the Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) at Gillette Stadium Sunday with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET. We analyze the Patriots-Chiefs odds and betting lines, providing actionable wagering advice around this huge Week 14 NFL matchup.

Chiefs at Patriots: Week 14 preview, betting trends and notes

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  • The Patriots lost two of their last four and didn’t win the other two games convincingly over the last month. They’re coming off a 28-22 loss to the Houston Texans, where their offensive issues were once again on full display.
  • The Chiefs easily bested the Oakland Raiders 40-9 last weekend and have won their past two games.
  • Since 2016, these two teams have met four times, including two playoff battles. The last meeting was a 37-31 overtime victory for New England this past January. The Patriots have won three of the last four.
  • Only one of their last four matchups was by a wide margin: A 42-27 victory for Kansas City in ’17. In that span, the Patriots averaged 33.5 points and the Chiefs averaged 33.3.
  • Patriots QB Tom Brady has looked mortal recently; four of his last five games have sported completion rates lower than 56%. Each of his past two games have been 51.1% or lower, which includes a 45.9% showing in a win over the Dallas Cowboys. Contain WR Julian Edleman and RB James White right now and you contain (and frustrate) Brady.
  • New England ranks 14th in the league with 360.8 yards per game and rank sixth with 26.8 points per game. The Patriots have averaged just 18 PPG the past month. The Chiefs D allows 372.1 YPG, eighth-worst in the NFL.
  • Kansas City averages 384.7 YPG, fourth-best in the league. It’s third-best with 29 PPG. New England’s D has been a storyline all season, but it has shown holes against better offenses. The Patriots rank first in scoring defense (12.1 points/game) and second in yardage (258.0 yards/game).

Chiefs at Patriots: Key injuries

Brady (toe, right elbow), WR Mohamed Sanu Sr. (ankle) and Edelman (shoulder) are all likely to be questionable for the week; expect them to play. It’s too early to tell whether CB Jason McCourty (groin) will return.

RB Damien Williams (rib) is a question mark for the Chiefs; DE Frank Clark (shoulder) was limited Wednesday.

Chiefs at Patriots: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Chiefs 24, Patriots 20

Moneyline (?)

Beating New England (-173) at Gillette, where they are 5-0 this year, is never easy, but KC, 4-1 on the road, has played here a lot the last few years. It’s rare I advocate betting against the Pats at home, but there haven’t been enough signs the running game will improve to help the passing game. Take the plus-money on KANSAS CITY (+145) to the bank.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Kansas City to pull the upset profits $14.50 with an outright win.

Against the Spread (?)

The Patriots are just 3-2 ATS at home this year and 7-5 overall. Kansas City is also 7-5 ATS, but 4-2 on the road. A 2.5-point line has been given to the home team (-134) here; but sticking with the CHIEFS (+2.5, +110) is the play.

The moneyline has a better return, so I’d put my money there rather than pay for the 2.5 points of insurance.

Over/Under (?)

The line of 49.5 is tied for highest on this weekend’s slate. In the last four meetings, these two averaged 66.8 combined points per game. With the Pats’ (who are 2-3-0 vs. the O/U at home (4-8-0 overall)) offense struggling, it’s a lofty line. The defense will break at points, but even when they have against better teams this year, they’ve given up 28 or more points just twice all season. The Chiefs are 3-3-0 vs. the O/U on the road. Keep riding the UNDER (-115).

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Ryan’s NFL Picks: 27-15

Follow @RyanBonini and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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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