Tag: Apex Facility

UFC on ESPN 12: Mike Perry vs. Mickey Gall odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 12 fight between Mike Perry and Mickey Gall, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Mike Perry and Mickey Gall tangle in a welterweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 12 – also known as UFC Fight Night 174 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Perry (13-6) heads into this one looking to pick himself up and dust himself off after being dropped in his last fight, a Round 1 loss to Geoff Neal Dec. 14, 2019 at UFC 245. In fact, Perry is on a two-fight skid and is 2-5 over his past seven fights, so he could use a signature win. Five of the past eight have ended up going the distance, with Perry on the short end in three of those bouts. His specialty is the knockout, and four of his six victories at the UFC level have come via KO/TKO.

Gall (6-2) doesn’t have a long fight history as a pro, but most of it has been very good. In seven fights at the UFC level, he has recorded five victories, with four wins by submission. He is 5-0 as a professional via submission, too. Gall has never won a fight by KO/TKO, although he was knocked out by Diego Sanchez at UFC 235 (March 2, 2019). Only two of Gall’s fights have been decided by the judges, with one a unanimous decision victory over Salim Touahri Aug. 3, 2019 on the UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Lawler card.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN 12? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Mike Perry vs. Mickey Gall betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 26 at 6:45 a.m. ET.

Perry (-313) is just too expensive on the 2-way line, especially considering he is just 2-5 across his past seven bouts. Still, he has fought an impressive array of fighters, and Gall (+250) is a drop in quality of an opponent. In fact, if Perry can avoid Gall’s unorthodox methods and just brawl, avoiding him on the mat, Perry will cruise to the win. Still, Perry is a bit of an enigma, and betting him straight up by laying more than three times your potential return is a bit worrisome. AVOID.

PERRY TO WIN BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (-164) is a little more palatable, although you still have to munch on some considerable chalk. Get specific for values, namely by betting rounds. Look for the fight to FINISH IN ROUND 2 (+300), so you can turn a tidy profit if that comes into fruition. PERRY TO WIN BY KO/TKO/DQ IN ROUND 2 (+500) is worth a roll of the dice, too. I’d AVOID the total number of rounds bet here, but if you must, UNDER 2.5 rounds (-264) should be the play.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Perry (-313) would bet a profit of only $3.19. A $10 wager on Perry to win by KO/TKO, DQ or Submission (-164) nets a profit of $6.10. A $10 play on Perry to win by KO/TKO/DQ in Round (+500) would fetch a nice return of $50 profit.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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 12: Brendan Allen vs. Kyle Daukaus odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 12 fight between Brendan Allen and Kyle Daukaus, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Brendan Allen and Kyle Daukaus meet up in a middleweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 12 – also known as UFC Fight Night 174 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Allen (14-3) made his UFC debut Oct. 18, 2019 when he dusted Kevin Holland in Round 2. Allen’s next UFC fight was on the Benavidez-Figueiredo card Feb. 29 in Jacksonville, where he won in a first-round KO/TKO vs. Tom Breese. Allen has won each of his past six professional fights, last losing Jan. 26, 2018 at LFA 32 in a title bout against Anthony Hernandez in a unanimous decision. Allen has only lost once inside the distance, a rear-naked choke submission loss at LFC 52: Legacy Fighting Championship 52 against Trevin Giles in March 2016. Each of Allen’s past three bouts have finished inside the distance, and two didn’t even see the bell to end Round 1.

Daukaus (9-0) has yet to taste defeat in his professional MMA career, but this will be his first foray into the octagon as a UFC fighter. In his most recent event, he picked up a submission win over Nolan Norwood at CFFC 81: Cage Fury Fighting Championships 81 to earn the middleweight strap. Now Daukaus gets to battle another up-and-comer in what could be an impressive fight. He has posted eight wins by submission and one unanimous decision win, but has never seen an opponent quite as strong or talented as Allen.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN 12? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Brendan Allen vs. Kyle Daukaus betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 26 at 7:05 a.m. ET.

The sample sizes on both Allen (-304) and Daukaus (+240) are rather small. It’s a tempting play to take Daukaus at a solid value, especially since he has never suffered a pro setback, but he is just too much of an unknown quantity. The best course of action is to AVOID playing the 2-way line and focus on more specifics.

There will be a bit of a feeling-out process in this one, so I like the play of TOTAL NUMBER OF ROUNDS OVER 1.5 (-130). I’m not 100 percent confident we’ll see the judges get involved in the decision, but I don’t feel it is going to be a super quick match, either. Instead of picking a particular fighter to win, simply bet how the fight will finish. Go with SUBMISSION (-106) at near even-money for the win.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Allen (-304) on the 2-way line returns a profit of just $3.29. A $10 play on OVER 1.5 rounds (-130) nets a profit of $7.69, while going with a submission (-106) by either opponent as the method of victory fetches a return of $9.43.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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UFC on ESPN 12: Gian Villante vs. Maurice Greene odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 12 fight between Gian Villante and Maurice Greene, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Gian Villante and Maurice Greene lock horns in a heavyweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 12 – also known as UFC Fight Night 174 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Villante (17-11) finds himself at a severe disadvantage for this one in more ways than one. First off, Greene (8-5) towers over Villante by four inches, while also having four-inch reach advantage. What’s more, Greene checks in at 243 pounds to just 205 pounds for Villante.

The weight situation could be to Villante’s advantage, however, as he is lighter on his feet and a little more agile. That weight situation is an advantage for Greene should the fight be taken to the ground, however.

Villante’s last time out ended in a Round 1 knockout loss to Michal Oleksiejczuk on the Blachowicz-Santos card Feb. 23, 2019. Villante has lost consecutive bouts on just one occasion in 15 fights at the UFC level, and that was back in 2017. Four of his past five fights have ended up going the distance, and he has never won or lost via submission at the UFC level.

Greene is also coming off a Jan. 18 loss, falling by submission to Aleksei Oleinik at UFC 246. Each of Greene’s previous three outings have finished inside the distance, a stark contrast to Villante, with two of the three ending via KO/TKO. Greene is 1-1 in those two affairs. He has posted five wins by submission in his career, with the last one coming in the TUF 28 Finale against Michel Batista Nov. 30, 2018.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN 12? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Gian Villante vs. Maurice Greene betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 26 at 7:25 a.m. ET.

Greene (-239) is a heavy favorite over the shaky Villante (+190). Playing Greene on the 2-way line is a bit expensive. Instead, consider taking GREENE BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (-112) at near even-money, with the only way you lose is if Villante pulls the upset or the fight is decided by the judges. So, this is easily your best bet.

UINDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-176) is a good way to go, too, as each of Greene’s past three fights have finished inside the distance. He doesn’t like to waste time. In fact, a nice wager would be pinpointing the round for a finish. Taking ROUND 2 (+350) for a finish could be quite lucrative. If you “REALLY” want to roll the dice, Greene by KO/TKO/DQ in Round 2 (note, submission is not included in this wager) pays +550. Why not toss a couple of dollars on that for fun?

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Greene by KO/TKO, DQ or Submission (-112) returns a profit of $8.93. A $10 wager on Under 2.5 Rounds (-176) returns a net profit of $5.68, while a $10 play on the fight ending in Round 2 (+350) would cash a ticket for $35 profit.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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UFC on ESPN 12: Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 12 fight between Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker square off in a lightweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 12 – also known as UFC Fight Night 174 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET on EPoiSPN/ESPN+.

Poirier (25-6) enters as the favorite in this bout despite the fact he faces a three-inch disadvantage in both height and reach. The southpaw does dominate in the other categories, particularly his ability for the takedown. He holds a 1.55 to 0.43 takedown-average advantage, while also leading 37.88 to 28.57 in takedown accuracy and 1.18 to 0.33 in submission average. In other words, Poirier will be looking to get to the ground and pound early and often. However, he can more than handle himself with aplomb when going toe-to-toe, too, holding a 49.08 to 45.85 significant strikes accuracy-percentage advantage. Poirier is coming off a loss, but that was a setback against Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight strap at UFC 242. He has been idle since that Round 3 submission loss Sept. 7, 2019. Keep in mind, five of his past six have finished inside the distance.

Hooker (20-8) posted a split-decision win in the main event Feb. 22 against Paul Felder, for his 10th victory at the UFC level. Hooker is on a 3-0 heater, including a KO/TKO victory over James Vick last July 20. Five of Hooker’s past eight events have ended with a KO/TKO, including four wins. He is also 2-0 at the UFC level with wins by submission, while going 7-2 in his pro career. The Kiwi can win fights a number of ways, and doesn’t like to go very long into the night. Six of his previous eight bouts have finished inside the distance.

Want to place a bet on UFC on ESPN 12? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 26 at 6:10 a.m. ET.

Poirier (-228) is a bit of a heavy favorite, but rightly so. While Hooker (+185) is 3-0 across his past three bouts, and has the ability to win in a number of ways, Poirier is the more well-rounded fighter. His punching ability is tremendous – he has landed seven knockdowns, tied for fourth in the lightweight division. He has an 0.85 knockdown average per 15 minutes, third in the division. Poirier is also second among active lightweights with 6.51 significant strikes landed per minute, while possessing a 1.77 striking differential over his opponents. Taking POIRIER BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (-106) on the 5-way line at near even-money is the way to go.

I think Hooker has the ability to hang around and make Poirier work deep into the night for this win, although ultimately the favorite wins it inside the distance. Still, OVER 2.5 ROUNDS (-106) is the way to go. For a small-unit wager, I’d play POIRIER TO WIN IN ROUND 3 (+1000) and/or POIRIER TO WIN IN ROUND 4 (+1400). If you bet both and he wins in either of those rounds, you’re cashing big.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Poirier (-228) to win on the 2-way line returns a profit of just $4.39. A $10 wager on Poirier (-106) to win by submission, or OVER 2.5 total rounds (-106), results in a return of $9.43. Selecting Poirier (+1000) to win in Round 3 returns a profit of $100 on a $10 bet, while a win in Round 4 by Poirier (+1400) would fetch a profit of $140 on $10 bet.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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UFC on ESPN 11: Alexander Volkov vs. Curtis Blaydes odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 fight between Alexander Volkov and Curtis Blaydes, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Alexander Volkov and Curtis Blaydes square off in a heavyweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 11 – also known as UFC Fight Night 173 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Blaydes (13-2) enters the octagon with a sparkling record, and “Razor” is on a three-bout win streak since being dropped by Francis Ngannou in the headline event Nov. 24, 2018. In fact, Blaydes is 0-2 against Ngannou, but 13-0 with one no contest in his 14 other professional bouts. His last two victories – against Junior Dos Santos in the main event Jan. 25 and against Shamil Abdurakhimov Sept. 7, 2019 at UFC 242 – were Round 2 knockouts. Four of Blaydes’ past five outings have finished inside the distance, including four KO/TKO (3-1) endings. He enters this event leading all active heavyweights with a 53:36 control time and 52.8 control-time percentage. In addition, he leads the class with a 43:03 top-position time, and 42.4 top-position percentage. Blaydes is also tops with 45 takedowns landed and a 55.6 takedown-accuracy percentage, and he knows how to avoid a punch, leading the class with just 1.86 strikes absorbed per minute.

Volkov (31-7) enters this one looking to building upon his unanimous decision victory over Greg Hardy Nov. 9, 2019. Volkov has posted five wins in six fights at the UFC level, including a pair of KO/TKO wins and three unanimous decisions wins. His only setback was at UFC 229 Oct. 6, 2018 when he was decked by Derrick Lewis for the KO/TKO. Volkov’s calling card is his devastating punch, and he is third in the heavyweight division with a 59.8 significant strike-accuracy percentage, while checking in seventh among active heavyweights with 557 significant strikes landed. He also leads the division with an outstanding 6.19 significant strikes landed per minute and a 3.42 striking differential. On the plus side, he is tops in the heavyweight class with a 59.5 significant strike defense, too, and is No. 1 among heavyweights with an 82.8 takedown-defense percentage.

Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 173? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Alexander Volkov vs. Curtis Blaydes betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 19 at 3:55 a.m. ET.

Blaydes (-400) is quite expensive at this price, so you’ll have to be a little creative. He should be able to push past Volkov (+305) in what is expected to be a brawl. However, Blaydes is more than just a puncher, as he has strong takedown ability and work on the canvas.

Taking KO/TKO/DQ (-313) for the method of victory by either fighter is a bit of an expensive proposition, too. I think the best bet here, and it’s not as costly, is rolling with BLAYDES BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (-200) on the 5-way line. You have a little wiggle room with how Blaydes wins, and the only way you lose is if it goes to the judges, or, of course, Volkov pulls the upset.

As far as length of the fight, the odds are heavily in favor of this bout finishing inside the distance. No (-400) on “Will the fight go the distance?” is also a lot of chalk to eat. I expect this to be a brawl, but I think it goes into the second half of Round 2, at the very least. Therefore, the best bet on bout length is taking OVER 1.5 ROUNDS (-176).

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on Blaydes (-400) to win outright on the 2-way line returns just $2.50 in profit. A $10 play on Blaydes (-200) to win by KO/TKO, DQ or Submission on the 5-way line fetches a profit of $5. A $10 wager on the Over 1.5 (-176) rounds nets a profit of $5.68.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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UFC on ESPN 11: Josh Emmett vs. Shane Burgos odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 fight between Josh Emmett and Shane Burgos, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Josh Emmett and Shane Burgos lock horns in a featherweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 11 – also known as UFC Fight Night 173 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Emmett (15-2) heads into the octagon with a sparkling record, looking to add to his win column. However, he has a five-inch disadvantage both in height and reach against Burgos (13-1).

Emmett enters fifth in the featherweight division with the shortest average fight time at 8:57, and ranks second among active featherweights with eight knockdowns landed. Each of his past four bouts have ended via KO/TKO, winning three of those battles. Like Emmett, Burgos has seen each of his past four fights finish inside the distance, winning three of four, including a pair of submission wins and a KO/TKO of Makwan Amirkhani at UFC 244 last time out on Nov. 2, 2019.

Burgos is tied for fourth among all active featherweights with six knockdowns landed, and is fourth in the class with a 1.07 knockdown average per 15 minutes. He is also an effective puncher, posting 597 significant strikes landed, ninth among featherweights, and is fifth in the class with a 50.3 significant strike-accuracy percentage. That equates to an amazing 7.09 significant strikes landed per minute, tops among active featherweights, ahead of the likes of Max Holloway (6.49) and Conor McGregor (5.53) to name a few, while posting a 1.75 striking differential. While that’s all well and good, Burgos is tremendous defensively, sitting at the top of the division with a 72.0 significant strike-defense percentage, while absorbing just 2.63 strikes per minute.

Neither fighter is particularly strong in the takedown game, but Burgos is second in the class with a 90.9 takedown-defense percentage.

Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 173? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Josh Emmett vs. Shane Burgos betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 19 at 4:30 a.m. ET.

Burgos (-143) is a slight favorite over Emmett (+120) on the 2-way line, but frankly, this one could go either way. The best bet, based upon each fighter’s recent history, is playing NO (-200): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? Both fighters have finished inside the distance in each of their past four outings. If I had to pick a winner, I’d take BURGOS BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+160) on the 5-way method of victory line, but only on a very small-unit play.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Burgos (-143) to win outright on the 2-way line returns $6.99 in profit. A $10 play on Burgos (+160) to win by KO/TKO, DQ or Submission on the 5-way line fetches a profit of $16. A $10 wager on No (-200): Will the fight go the distance? nets a profit of $5.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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UFC on ESPN 11: Raquel Pennington vs. Marion Reneau odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 fight between Raquel Pennington and Marion Reneau, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Raquel Pennington and Marion Reneau square off in a women’s bantamweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 11 – also known as UFC Fight Night 173 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Pennington (10-9) heads into this one with a 1-3 record across her past four bouts, although losses to Holly Holm at UFC 246 (Jan. 18), Germaine de Randamie at UFC Fight Night: Korean Zombie vs. Rodriguez (Nov. 10, 2018) and Amanda Nunes at UFC 224 (May 12, 2018) is nothing to be ashamed of. Those three ladies have been at the top of the division for a while now. Before Pennington’s 1-3 run, she was on a four-bout win streak, which saw her get a chance at the title against Nunes at UFC 224. Pennington proved she isn’t quite ready for prime time, but she is always a tough out since she is a grinder. She has gone the distance in three straight and six of the past seven. In fact, Pennington ranks No. 1 in the women’s bantamweight division with five decision wins, and is tops in total fight time at 2:52:33.

Reneau (9-5-1) is on a two-bout skid, falling to Yana Kunitskaya March 9, 2019, and Cat Zingano July 14, 2018. Reneau’s last victory came in a submission win over Sara McMann Feb. 24, 2018, so she is itching to get off the schneid. Three of her past five outings have ended up going the distance, and six of her 10 fights at the UFC level have been decided by the judges. Reneau is seventh in the class in average fight time at 12:51, while checking in eighth with 3.46 significant strikes landed per minute to 3.11 for Pennington. Reneau and Pennington are also very good at significant strike defense, with Reneau at 65.2 percent and Pennington at 63.6. Both are at the top of their class, tied with nine submission attempts, too.

Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 173? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Raquel Pennington vs. Marion Reneau betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 19 at 5 a.m. ET.

PENNINGTON (-179) is a moderate favorite in this battle between division veterans, with Reneau (+150) likely headed for a third straight setback. While Pennington is expected to win, the best bet here is taking YES (-304): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? Pennington is a grinder who doesn’t knock opponents out, and seems a little apprehensive about getting mixed up in the ground game, too. PENNINGTON (+110) BY DECISION is also worth a play.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Pennington (-179) to win outright returns a profit of $5.59. A $10 wager on Yes (-304) for the fight to go the distance fetches a return of just $ 3.29. A $10 play on Pennington (+110) to win by decision returns a profit of $11.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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UFC on ESPN 11: Belal Muhammad vs. Lyman Good odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 fight between Belal Muhammad and Lyman Good, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Belal Muhammad and Lyman Good will battle in a welterweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN 11 – also known as UFC Fight Night 173 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Muhammad (16-3) dumped Takashi Sato by submission at UFC 242 in his most recent showing Sept. 7, 2019, giving him back-to-back victories and six wins in his past seven matches. The submission was a rarity, however, as six of those previous seven fights went the distance. He is strong on the mat, ranking seventh in bottom position time at 3:12. Good (21-5) is even better, ranking second in the division with a 0:40 bottom position time, and 1.68 bottom position percentage.

Good will be looking to throw hands early and often, posting 5.32 strikes landed per minute – he is third in the division with a 1.86 striking differential. Good is tremendous at avoiding the big blows, too, posting a 67.4 significant strike-defense percentage, second in the division. He has alternated wins and losses in his five fights at the UFC level, with four of the bouts ending inside the distance, including a KO/TKO Round 3 win at UFC 244 over Chance Rencountre last time out on Nov. 2, 2019.

Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 173? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Belal Muhammad vs. Lyman Good betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 19 at 5:15 a.m. ET.

GOOD (+105) is worth a small-unit play against Muhammad (-125) in what should be a fairly entertaining affair. Both of these guys can bomb, and it will be interesting to see if Good can continue his outstanding ability to avoid the big blow. His significant strike defense has been on point in the fledgling days of his UFC career. While Good has seen his fights end rather early at times, Muhammad is much more methodical, thus why YES (-154): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a decent amount of chalk to eat. Taking GOOD BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+200) could help you double up, too.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Good (+105) returns a profit of $10.50. A $10 wager on Yes (-154): Will the fight go the distance? pays a profit of $6.49, while a $10 bet on Good (+200) winning by KO/TKO or Submission doubles your money for a profit of $20.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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 11: Jim Miller vs. Roosevelt Roberts odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 fight between Jim Miller and Roosevelt Roberts, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

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Jim Miller and Roosevelt Roberts meet in a catchweight bout (155 pounds) on the main card at UFC on ESPN 11 – also known as UFC Fight Night 173 – Saturday at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Miller (31-14) heads into this one with plenty of experience, but he has rather long odds against the up-and-comer Roberts (10-1). The latter towers over the veteran Miller, standing six inches taller with a two-inch reach advantage over the southpaw. Miller suffered a unanimous decision setback to Scott Holtzman last time out, Feb. 15 at Rio Rancho, N.M. The loss snapped a streak of five straight fights finishing inside the distance for Miller. In fact, before the loss to Holtzman, Miller had three wins and a loss, each by submission. Miller has posted 2.83 strikes per minute, landing just 40.77 percent, so he has the potential to rain himself out early. He also has a takedown average of 1.69, while posting a takedown percentage of 41.76.

Roberts topped Brok Weaver in Round 2 by submission May 30 on the Woodley-Burns Fight Night card, and has posted three wins in four outings since reaching the UFC level. Five of Roberts’ 10 career professional wins have come via submission, with the guillotine his choke of choice. He also has three wins by TKO (punches), so he is anything but a one-trick pony.

Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 173? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Jim Miller vs. Roosevelt Roberts betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 19 at 5:45 a.m. ET.

Roberts (-250) will cost you a pretty penny, and he is just not worth the risk against the crafty veteran Miller (+200) – at least not worth the risk on the 2-way line. Instead, look to ROBERTS BY KO/TKO, DQ or SUBMISSION (+140), which is a much better value, and a sound play as long as he obviously doesn’t win by decision. As such, if you’re going to take Roberts to win by knockout or submission, rolling with the UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (-112) is also highly recommended.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Roberts (-250) returns a profit of just $4. A $10 play on Roberts by KO/TKO, DQ or submission (+140) fetches a profit of $14, while a $10 bet on the Under 2.5 rounds (-112) returns a net profit of $8.93.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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 Fight Night 172: Jessica Eye vs. Cynthia Calvillo odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 172 fight between Jessica Eye and Cynthia Calvillo, with MMA betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

Jessica Eye and Cynthia Calvillo tangle in a women’s flyweight bout on the main card at UFC Fight Night 172 Saturday at the UFC’s Apex Facility in Las Vegas. The prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+.

Eye (15-7) looks to keep things going in a positive direction after losing in a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko June 8, 2019 at UFC 238. Eye rebounded with a nice unanimous decision win over Viviane Araujo six months later at UFC 245, and has been victorious in four of her previous five fights after an ugly four-fight losing skid from July 25, 2015 to Sept. 10, 2016. Eye will look to use her two-inch reach advantage and two-inch height advantage Saturday, but she isn’t quite the puncher as her opponent.

Calvillo (8-1-1) heads into this one with the more superior punching stats, posting a 4.12 to 3.79 edge in significant strikes landed per minute, while posting a 43.15 to 38.38 advantage in significant strikes-accuracy percentage. In addition, she has a 1.83 to 0.46 takedown-average advantage, and a 1.65 to 0.65 submission-average difference. In other words, she has a slight edge in the toe-to-toe game, but a distinct advantage on the canvas. Calvillo is coming off a majority draw against Marina Rodriguez Dec. 7, 2019 at UFC Fight night: Overeem-Rozenstruik, and she is 5-1-1 in seven bouts since arriving at the UFC level.

Want to place a bet on UFC Fight Night 172? Place bets at BetMGM online in CO, IN, NJ and WV! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Jessica Eye vs. Cynthia Calvillo betting odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, June 10 at 7:05 a.m. ET.

CALVILLO (+100) is a strong play at even money against Eye (-120). Calvillo holds her own against Eye in the punching statistics, but will likely try to get the fight down to the mat early and often. That’s where Calvillo is at her best and holds the largest advantage.

Four of Calvillo’s past five bouts have ended up going the distance, while Eye has had eight of her past nine fights decided by the judges. As such, taking YES (-182): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is a very good play, and a slightly better value that taking Over 4.5 rounds (-200).

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Calvillo pays even money, fetching a $10 return. A $10 wager on Yes (-182): the fight goes the distance returns a profit of just $5.49, while Over 4.5 Rounds (-200) pays just $5.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and 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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