UFC Fight Night 103 takes place on on Saturday, January 15, 2017 at the Talking Stick Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card airs on FS1 starting 10 p.m. ET. Hall of Famer B.J. Penn will return to the ring to face rising prospect Yair Rodriguez in the main event. Bet on the latest UFC odds at BookMaker.eu now!
The first Fight Night of 2017 kicks off this Saturday, featuring the return of popular former lightweight champion B.J. Penn. The Hawaiian legend will meet 24-year old Yair Rodriguez in a classic style matchup of old lion vs. young stud.
Also on the card is an entertaining lightweight tilt between Joe Lauzon and Marcin Held and a bantamweight contender clash between 20-1 Jimmie Rivera and No. 6 ranked Bryan Caraway.
Let’s take a look at your betting options and make a few quick picks.
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Main Event
Featherweight
B.J. Penn +355
Yair Rodriguez -450
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -110, under -110
Penn is saying and doing all the right things coming into this matchup. It’s great that he’s training at Jackson-Wink and is devoting all his focus on preparing properly. While “The Prodigy’s” talent has always been tantalizing, the reality is that he is 38 years old and hasn’t fought in nearly three years. And in his last three fights - all lopsided defeats - he took a frightening amount of punishment.
Rodriguez isn’t just 14 years younger than Penn. He’s bigger, stronger and far fresher than the former champ. On top of that, his creative style and endless cardio will be far too much for the old man to handle.
UFC odds pick: Rodriguez TKO Penn, R3
Lightweight
Joe Lauzon -135
Marcin Held +115
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -175, under +150
It seems like “J-Lau” has been around forever, yet he’s only 32 years old. For the past few years, he’s held a role as a gatekeeper into the top-15. That’s nothing to be ashamed about, and the best part is that he always seems to put on entertaining fights. In fact, he owns the most post-fight bonuses in UFC history.
Lauzon will test former Bellator contender Marcin Held. While falling to Diego Sanchez in his UFC debut, the 24-year old Held was handily beating the veteran before he clearly succumbed to the altitude of Mexico City. Still, he’s got a lot to learn before he can consistently beat crafty vets like Lauzon.
UFC odds pick: Lauzon to win at -135
Welterweight
Court McGee -110
Ben Saunders -110
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -170, under +145
McGee likes punish opponents with pressure and pace. While lacking in knockout power and natural athleticism, “Crusher” possesses sound fundamentals and good cardio - those traits alone lets him hold his own against mid-tier fighters. If anything, he knows how to win on points, as he is always either throwing strikes or attempting a takedown.
Like McGee, nothing about Saunders really sticks out. He is a solid striker with a noticeable height and reach advantage over McGee. But his takedown defense is subpar and Court happens to be a decent wrestler. While Saunders is a threat off his back, it’s more likely that McGee ends up controlling him for the majority of the fight.
UFC odds pick: McGee to win at -110
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UFC Fight Night 103 takes place on Saturday, January 15, 2017 at the Talking Stick Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card airs on FS1 starting 10 p.m. ET.
