The UFC heads to Austin, Texas this weekend for UFC Fight Night Austin: Kattar vs. Emmett. Headlining the card, we have two featherweight power punchers going head to head between Calvin Kattar and Josh Emmett.
However, there are two other bouts on this card that I’m keeping a close eye on Phil Hawes vs. Deron Winn and Donald Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon. Read below for my best bets.
Phil Hawes vs. Deron Winn
UFC Middleweight Preliminary Bout
Saturday, June 18, 2022 – 04:10 PM EDT at the Moody Center
Phil Hawes Analysis
Phil “Megatron Hawes is an American mixed martial artist with a current professional record of 11 wins (7 T/KO, 2 submissions, 2 Decisions) and 3 losses (2 T/KO, 1 Submission).
Megatron is 7-1 in his last 8 bouts with 5 of those victories ending inside the distance. Phil Hawes is a power puncher with excellent takedown defense.
His background in wrestling will especially assist in a victory over Winn, a fighter who relies on his wrestling due to his lack of height and reach.
Deron Winn Analysis
Deron Winn is an American mixed martial artist with a current professional record of 7 wins (4 T/KO, 3 Decision) and 2 losses (1 Submission, 1 Decision).
Winn is 5’6’’ with a 70-inch reach. His smaller size in the division makes it somewhat difficult to compete in a standing, technical bout, so he results in wrestling to wear down on his opponents.
UFC FN Austin Odds
Phill Hawes is currently feeding off of the juice UFC odds are priced at -260 at your top-rated sportsbooks. Meanwhile, Deron Winn is the +220 underdog.
These odds speak for themselves, however, you can not put Winn’s size disadvantage against him as he defeated 6’0’’ tall Antonio Arroyo back in December 2020.
Hawes vs. Winn Betting Prediction
The main reason why I side with Hawes is in his ability to stuff Winn’s takedown attempts. His background in wrestling will make it hard for Winn to have it his way, or even close the distance.
Although Winn has shown so far to have a tough chin, Hawes’ reach, takedown defense, and overall power will catch up to Winn and end the fight early.
UFC Pick: Phil Hawes by T/KO or DQ by (+155) with BetOnline (Visit our BetOnline Review)
Donald Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon
UFC Lightweight Co-Main Bout
Saturday, June 18, 2022 - 08:50 PM EDT at the Moody Center
Donald Cerrone Analysis
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is an American mixed martial artist with a current professional record of 36 wins (10 T/KO, 17 Submissions, 9 Decisions) and 16 (8 T/KO, 1 Submission, 7 Decisions).
Cowboy is currently 0-5-1 in his last 6 UFC bouts and is desperate to bounce back in the win column. In Cerrone’s prime, he was a power hitter and a submission wiz. Now, it appears his age has caught up to him as he inches closer to 40 years old.
Joe Lauzon Analysis
Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon is an American mixed martial artist with a professional record of 28 wins (9 T/KO, 17 Submissions, 2 Decisions) and 15 losses (6 T/KO, 3 Submissions, 6 Decisions).
Lauzon has a very similar fight style to Cerrone, dangerous both on the feet and on the ground. He loves to get a fight going fast so he can aim for a potential early finish.
UFC FN Austin Odds
Despite not winning a fight since 2019, Cowboy Cerrone is currently listed with UFC odds at -157 while Lauzon is +137 at your top-rated sportsbooks.
Cerrone is desperate for a victory, but as seen in his last 6 bouts, he is slowing down with his age and his chin is no longer holding together.
Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon Betting Prediction
In Cerrone’s prime, I believe he would’ve had what it takes to defeat Lauzon. Now, I believe Lauzon’s desire to end a fight very early will catch up to Cerrone.
If Lauzon is not successful in finishing the fight early, Cerrone will win a technical bout. Aim for Lauzon to get the early finish, and for Cerrone’s chin to crack.
UFC Pick: Joe Lauzon (+137) with BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
