Some UFC fight cards are easier to get excited about than others. This Saturday’s offering in Houston is a great example of this.
There’s a main event featuring the return of popular former featherweight title challenger “The Korean Zombie,” facing the always-entertaining, No. 6-ranked Dennis Bermudez.
Also on the card is blue chip strawweight prospect Alexa Grasso, light heavyweight contender Ovince St. Preux, and strawweight Jessica Andrade, who has been wrecking opponents since dropping from bantamweight.
No hype job needed here – this is an awesome card. Now let’s talk some common sense betting tips to guide your UFC betting picks. All UFC odds courtesy of BookMaker.eu, where you can bet on fights all year.
Chan Sung Jung +160 vs Dennis Bermudez -185
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -200, under +170
Common Sense Says…
The Korean Zombie has to shake off more than two years of ring rust. Not for injury, but because he was serving a mandatory stint in the South Korean army. One has to wonder how much actual training he could do during that time.
However, you can’t deny the fact that this bout is one of the must-watch MMA fights in winter 2017.
But you must consider the featherweight division has gone through serious evolution during his time away. When Jung left, Jose Aldo was still an untouchable champion, Max Holloway was just a kid with big ambition, Frankie Edgar was still a lightweight and Conor McGregor had only fought once for the UFC.
Even if Zombie is still the same dynamic fighter that surged to a title shot, he’s never faced a strong wrestler like Bermudez. In fact, “The Menace” is a powerful dude who can do it all – and he backs it up with power. There’s just too many questions surrounding Jung to have much faith in him.
UFC Picks: Bermudez to win at -185
Alexa Grasso -285 vs Felice Herrig +235
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -220, under +235
Grasso Is a UFC Rising Star
Herrig is another stepping stone fight for Grasso, who cruised to a win in her UFC debut against Heather Jo Clark. The UFC’s desire to make inroads with the Mexican market is no secret, and an attractive young star like Grasso could be a golden goose for the new brass.
They’re taking no chances here and making sure she gets scraps that give her every opportunity to look good.
Grasso is a star in waiting, and at 23 she’s already one of the best pure strikers in the division. Herrig is just a slightly better version of Clark. While “Lil’ Bulldog” has got decent Muay Thai and a solid clinch game, she is not particularly athletic, doesn’t hit hard and has holes in her defense. She is outmatched physically and technically by Grasso, who should have an easy night.
Fight Picks: Parlay Grasso to win at -285
Ovince St. Preux -275 vs Volkan Oezdemir +230
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -110, under -110
St. Preux Needs to Stay Relevant
The UFC needs Ovince St. Preux to stay relevant, as the light heavyweight division is rapidly thinning in terms of talent and viable contenders. We can overlook OSP’s recent 1-3 record, as all those losses have come against top guys. But he desperately needs to get back in the win column so he doesn’t lose credibility as a high-level fighter.
Here’s the thing: OSP’s original opponent, Jan Blachowicz, was already a softball lob for the former title challenger. Blachowicz got injured, so they called on an unknown Volkan Oezdemir to take his place on short notice. Even with a full training camp, Oezdemir isn’t in the same class. Parlay OSP to win with Grasso for a decent UFC betting payout.
UFC Picks: Parlay St. Preux to win at -275
Angela Hill +360 vs Jessica Andrade -455
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over +125, under -145
Hill is Getting Flattened
Hill is a fighter that was cut from the UFC, and is coming back as a last-minute opponent after an injury forced Maryna Moroz out of a matchup against Jessica Andrade. Though she went on a tear in Invicta – going 4-0 and capturing the title – Hill is about to get flattened.
Even competing as a blown-up bantamweight, Andrade was a fierce striker with explosive power. Now fighting in a weight class 20 pounds lighter, Andrade has retained that savage power and has been obliterating girls ever since.
If “Bate Estaca” can tear up Jessica Penne and powerslam the hell out of JoJo Calderwood, she can definitely crush Hill’s soul.
Fight Picks: Under at -145
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