UFC Fight Night 102 takes place on Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York. The card airs on UFC Fight Pass starting 9 p.m. ET. Surging heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis meets Russia’s Shamil Abdurakhimov in the main event. Bet on the latest UFC odds at BookMaker.eu now!
The UFC’s second New York card could not be any different from the first. Instead of a Madison Square Garden event packed with stars, UFC Fight Night 102 takes place in Albany and features a bunch of names that casual fans are unaware of. But there are a number of fun fights on the card, and as always, a ton of odds you can bet on.
Let’s take a look at a few of the night’s best bouts and make some picks to net you some cash.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Main Event
Heavyweight
Derrick Lewis -200
Shamil Abdurakhimov +170
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -110, under -110
Fight Preview
Nobody expected Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis to ever be a top-10 fighter. But the burly slugger has now won four straight and is coming off a career victory over Roy Nelson in his last bout. Lewis is an old school knockout artist with 14 KOs in 16 career victories, and watching him wing haymakers is a guilty pleasure in a rapidly evolving sport. There just aren’t a lot of brawlers anymore.
Abdurakhimov is much more your typical, more well-rounded MMA fighter. The Russian isn’t afraid to slug it out and is comfortable hunting for submissions in the grappling phase. After two straight wins, against Anthony Hamilton and Walt Harris, he’s ready to take a step up and take Lewis’ spot in the top 10.
Betting Values
Honestly, any Lewis fight comes with risks. He can knock out anyone, but anybody with a decent ground game can stifle him. That also makes the over/under a dicey proposition as well. Because Lewis is beatable, betting against him is smart play when he’s the favorite.
UFC odds pick: Abdurakhimov to win at +170
Heavyweight
Francis Ngannou -500
Anthony Hamilton +400
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over +160, under -185
Fight Preview
No heavyweight passes the eyeball test better than Francis Ngannou. 6’4”, 260 pounds and absolutely shredded, the Frenchman reminds me of an even bigger Cheick Kongo in his prime. The difference here is that Ngannou is an explosive athlete, and all eight of his career victories have come by way of stoppage. At 30, he is young for the division and promising prospect in a weight class in dire need of them.
Hamilton is basically roster filler - a big, tough heavyweight that the UFC calls on to fill main cards. He’s got some knockout power and can wrestle a little, but he’s basically a gatekeeper for up and comers like Ngannou. He’s alternated wins and losses in six fights dating back to 2014, and would be a prime candidate to be cut when the new management trims its roster.
Betting Values
Physically, Hamilton cannot hope to match Ngannou’s speed and athleticism. He could make this a dirty clinchfight, but I have more faith in Ngannou’s rapidly improving skillset than Hamilton’s craftiness.
UFC odds pick: Ngannou to win at -500
Light Heavyweight
Gian Villante -185
Saparbek Safarov +157
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over +100, under -120
Fight Preview
Villante is one of those sluggers that the UFC keeps around because of his willingness to brawl. His defense is a bit lacking, but he has shown more composure in recent bouts, picking his shots more efficiently. He’s just 1-2 in his past three, and he’s likely walking on thin ice to keep his roster spot.
Russia’s Saparbek Safarov is stepping in on late notice for Patrick Cummins, who had to withdraw due to a staph infection. The fight will also be his UFC debut, but he’s shown promise in regional promotions, racking up an 8-0 record, with seven of those coming in the first round.
Betting Values
Safarov is a complete unknown, but he has been in far less wars than Villante and obviously has knockout power and good striking skills. That might be all he needs to beat Villante. Go on and gamble with Safarov as the payout is decent.
UFC odds pick: Safarov to win at +157
Please note, the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu are updated daily and subject to change.
How to Bet
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UFC Fight Night 102 takes place on Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York. The card airs on UFC Fight Pass starting 9 p.m. ET.
