Reminder, UFC Fight Night 78 is tomorrow night - so get your bets in now! We’ve previewed some of the biggest fights in detail, dished out a few quick picks, and pondered the prelims, but now it’s time to read into the main storylines for the promotion’s foray into Mexico. Let’s jump right into it.
UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Welterweight headliner
Neil Magny
Kelvin Gastelum
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over, under
KELVIN GASTELUM VS. THE SCALE
Since upsetting Uriah Hall to win The Ultimate Fighter 17, Kelvin Gastelum has transformed into the brightest young prospect in the welterweight division. Just 24 years old, Gastelum is already 6-1 in the UFC, and he nearly beat Tyron Woodley in a bout that would’ve put him a very short list of credible title challengers.
But Gastelum has had major issues regarding his weight cuts. The troubles first surfaced at UFC 171, when he failed on the first attempt to hit the 171-pound limit. Then in his next fight against Nico Musoke, he missed weight entirely. Gastelum then failed to make weight again in a high stakes bout against Woodley. In that weigh-in, he came in nine pounds overweight - which is almost unheard of for a professional fighter.
Dana White stepped in after the Woodley bout to proclaim that Gastelum would only fight as a middleweight from that point on. The Arizona native obliged, beating Nate Marquardt at 185, but then pleaded with the UFC brass to let him compete at 170. The UFC granted his wish, but Gastelum is on a very short leash.
Realistically, there’s no way that Gastelum could compete with the best middleweights. He belongs at welterweight, where he’s a true contender. We’ll see if he keeps sabotaging his very promising career.
UFC odds on BookMaker.eu
Featherweight co-main event
Diego Sanchez +400
Ricardo Lamas -650
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -200, under +170
DIEGO SANCHEZ, THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN
Popular brawler Diego Sanchez will debut in his fourth different weight class tomorrow, facing Ricardo Lamas at 145 pounds. Remember, Sanchez started his UFC career as a 185-pound middleweight. While his best days were as a lightweight, the popular brawler is hoping that competing in his lightest division yet can jumpstart a flagging career.
If he can beat Ricardo Lamas, the UFC’s No. 4 featherweight, Sanchez instantly becomes a player in a loaded weight class.
UFC odds on BookMaker.eu
Flyweights
Henry Cejudo -344
Jussier Formiga +281
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -280, under +240
FROM OLYMPIC GOLD TO UFC GOLD?
Every MMA fan has a natural fascination with Olympic athletes competing in the Octagon. Henry Cejudo won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling for the U.S. in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His success has translated into a 9-0 pro MMA record, and now Cejudo finds himself in a likely title eliminator against the formidable Jussier Formiga.
What’s more, if Cejudo earns a title shot against Demetrious Johnson, it might make casual fans actually care about the flyweight division. It’s a well-known fact that the 125-pounders have failed to capture much interest.
HOW TO BET
Access live betting lines at BookMaker Sportsbook and start playing now. With our live betting options, you can also wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. UFC Fight Night 78 takes place this Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Monterrey Arena in Monterrey, Mexico. The card will be televised on FOX Sports 1 starting 10 p.m. ET.
