Ian Parker
UFC
Sean Strickland (-210) vs. Uriah Hall (+180): Hall (best bet)
Sean Strickland is riding a four-fight win streak dating back to 2018. He will have his toughest test to date in Uriah Hall. Strickland will need to use a ton of feints when closing the distance and not just walk forward and box like he has done in his last few fights. Hall is an elite striker, so Strickland will need to mix in his wrestling if he wants to confuse Hall and get the biggest win of his career. In my opinion, the value here is on Hall. He will be the better striker and has fought the higher-level competition. As long as Hall can let loose early, this matchup stylistically favors Hall. Hall is his own worst enemy and, if he can overcome that, he's a tough fight for anyone.
Ashley Yoder (-140) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (+120): Yoder (best bet)
Look for Ashley Yoder to use her striking to keep Jinh Yu Frey backed up. Once Yoder closes the distance, look for her to get the fight to the floor. She will be the better grappler and have a huge advantage.
Rafa Garcia (-250) vs. Chris Gruetzemacher (+210): Garcia (best bet)
Chris Gruetzemacher has only one win in his last four fights. With his back against the wall, he will have to get a victory over Rafa Garcia. Unfortunately for Gruetzemacher, this is not an ideal matchup for him. Garcia is better everywhere and should be able to get the better of Gruetzemacher early on with his striking.
Bryan Barberena (-260) vs. Jason Witt (+220): Barberena (best bet)
Bryan Barberena returns to the octagon from the longest layoff of his career. He will be looking to get past Jason Witt and make it two wins in a row. Look for Barberena to keep the fight standing, where he will have the advantage. If the fight goes to the floor, as long as he lands on top in the scramble, Barberena should have no trouble working his grappling.
Nicco Montano (-210) vs. Yanan Wu (+180): Montano (best bet)
Nicco Montano will be looking to put her last loss to Julianna Pena in the rearview mirror as she takes on Yanan Wu. Look for Montano to close the distance early and get the fight to the floor. Montano will be better everywhere, but I expect her to play it safe.
Orion Cosce (-185) vs. Philip Rowe (+165): Cosce (best bet)
Orion Cosce will be looking to maintain his perfect record as he takes on Phillip Rowe. Cosce will be the better striker and the more aggressive fighter. Rowe has shown he can strike, but his hesitancy and slow start will not work against a powerful aggressive striker in Cosce.
Cheyanne Buys (-180) vs. Gloria De Paula (+160): Buys (lean)
Cheyanne Buys will be looking to bounce back from her last fight in which she lost to Montserrat Ruiz by decision. Buys will have to use her wrestling in order to get the win. She will be the better wrestler and should have no issue controlling De Paula on the ground.
Mounir Lazzez (-190) vs. Niklas Stolze (+170): Lazzez (lean)
Look for Mounir Lazzez to pressure early with his striking. In his last fight, he was too hesitant and he paid for it. Look for him to come out and get to work early and often. He will be the better striker and, as long as he can dictate the pace, this fight should be all Lazzez.
Kyung Ho Kang (-140) vs. Rani Yahya (+120): Yahya (lean)
This will be the first fight for Kang in over 18 months and he is getting quite the step up in competition against ground specialist Rani Yahya. Look for Yahya to push the pace early and look to get the fight to the ground. If Yahya imposes his will and controls Kang on the ground, it will be his fight to win.
Ryan Benoit (-135) vs. Zarrukh Adashev (+115): Benoit (lean)
Ryan Benoit will be the faster and overall better striker. My only concern for Benoit is he tends to give up compromising positions during scrambles. If he can stay composed and keep the fight standing, he should get the win.
Ronnie Lawrence (-145) vs. Trevin Jones (+125): Lawrence (lean)
Trevin Jones looked fantastic in his last fight in which he won by TKO over Mario Bautista. However, he has a different challenge in Ronnie Lawrence. Lawrence will be the better striker and has an endless gas tank. I strongly believe the output of strikes from Lawrence, along with his blistering pace, will be too much for Jones
Bellator
Patricio Freire (-125) vs. A.J. McKee (+105): McKee
Arguably the most important fight in Bellator history, A.J. McKee takes on double-champ Patricio "Pitbull" Freire. McKee needs to use his speed and range in order to avoid the power of Freire. If he chooses to take the fight to the ground, as good as he is off his back, he cannot afford to accept that position and risk Freire landing damaging strikes from his guard. Look for McKee to avoid the power of the champ and get the upset win.
Emmanuel Sanchez (-105) vs. Mads Burnell (-115): Sanchez
Emmanuel Sanchez will be looking to bounce back from his last fight, in which he lost to the champ Freire. Sanchez will need to avoid the heavy ground attack from Burnell and keep the fight standing, where he will have the advantage. Based on experience and level of competition, I think Sanchez will grind out a victory.
Brent Primus (+180) vs. Islam Mamedov (-210): Primus
Brent Primus will be looking to make it three wins in a row when he takes on Islam Mamedov. Mamedov is a strong wrestler with great submissions. However, he has not fought the same level of competition that Primus has faced. Primus a successful wrestler as well, will have the striking advantage and I believe will be able to surprise Mamedov.
Usman Nurmagomedov (-1,300) vs Luis Muro (+800): Nurmagomedov
This is another showcase fight for Usman Nurmagomedov. The question isn't if he is going to win, it's how he wants to win. Look for Nurmagomedov to control the pace from the moment the bell rings and completely dominate his opponent.
