UFC Vegas 96 playing preview: Can Jared Cannonier fend off Caio Borralho?

Following an exhilarating UFC 305, the world’s main MMA promotion returns to the hallowed halls of the UFC APEX for UFC Vegas 96. Headlined by a middleweight matchup between Jared Cannonier and Caio Borralho, the cardboard additionally options a number of different fights between the outdated guard and a rising crop of contenders. Can the outdated heads ship veteran classes or will the brand new breed assert themselves?

Let’s dive into the bets.

As at all times, all odds are courtesy of our buddies at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Straight Bets

Tabatha Ricci (-115)

Within the co-main occasion, Ricci takes on divisional staple Angela Hill in a strawweight contest, and for as a lot as I respect and luxuriate in Hill, her time has come.

“Overkill” is pushing 40 in a division the place nobody ages gracefully and she or he’s dealing with an opponent who’s on the rise. Ricci has solely misplaced to high shelf competitors (Manon Fiorot at flyweight and Loopy Godinez), and has the grappling chops to attain takedowns and management Hill. I believe she grinds out a choice.

Ryan Loder (+142)

That is practically a full-on shot at the hours of darkness. Loder takes on Robert Valentin in The Final Fighter 32 middleweight remaining, and whereas Valentin appeared nice on the present, Loder has an NCAA All-America pedigree that I consider in. Man simply wants two takedowns to win this one and be on his means within the UFC, and traditionally, betting on NCAA wrestlers has been a profitable technique so I’m sticking to it.

Josiane Nunes (+180)

Nunes takes on Jacqueline Cavalcanti in a ladies’s bantamweight prelim bout, and I like her possibilities at pulling off the upset. Nunes is extraordinarily small for bantamweight (and was even smaller at featherweight), however she carries actual energy — the sort Cavalcanti doesn’t have. Cavalcanti is strictly a high-volume kickboxer, who has to out-point opponents to win choices. Nunes doesn’t want 15 good minutes, she simply wants one good punch. That’s good underdog upside.

Prop Bets

Caio Borralho -5.5 Factors Unfold (-125)

For the uninitiated, factors unfold bets work in MMA the identical they do in different sports activities, simply with regard to totaling all three judges’ scorecards. So, this wager cashes if Borralho wins a choice by six or extra collective factors (50-45, 50-45, 49-46, for instance) or finishes the struggle. If Cannonier wins, or if Borralho solely wins by 5 or fewer factors (48-47, 48-47, and 48-47, for instance) then the wager is a loser. So principally, does Borralho dominate?

I believe he does. Cannonier is an excellent fighter, however he’s 40 years outdated and previous his prime. Borralho, then again, is neither of these issues. The Combating Nerds contender is 6-0 in UFC and has appeared sensational. He’s a growing and succesful striker, and an excellent wrestler and grappler. Given Cannonier’s decline, Borralho ought to be capable to compete on the ft, and he has a determined edge on the mat. Cannonier could also be powerful sufficient to outlive the total 5, however I count on a snug win for Borralho.

Parlay of the Week

Let’s put collectively somewhat violence parlay.

Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Gerald Meerschaert Underneath 2.5 Rounds (-295)

In his 20 UFC fights, Meerschaert has hit below 2.5 rounds in 15 of them. For Shahbazyan, it’s eight out of 10. Merely put, each males come to get or get received. I think Meerschaert is the one who will get received, however you’ll be able to’t rely out his penchant for early submission wins both.

Zach Reese vs. Jose Medina Underneath 2.5 Rounds (-390)

All the time wager the below when Reese is preventing. The person is all violence with minimal regard for protection, which might be why he’s by no means been out of the primary spherical in his profession. Add in that Medina solely has three choices in his 14-fight profession, and this needs to be over rapidly.

Parlay these twp bets collectively for -147 odds.

Wrap Up

UFC 305 was very profitable for us, however after all, that was an excellent card. These APEX occasions are at all times hit and miss. Hopefully it’s a success this time.

Till subsequent week, benefit from the fights, good luck, and gamble responsibly!

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