This Saturday, the UFC will continue its push into the lucrative Asian market with its first card in South Korea. As typical of overseas cards, the event is filled with natives thrilled at the opportunity to fight in the octagon in front of their countrymen. We’ve previewed the main card fights in detail this week, but just in case you missed them, I’ve put together a list of quick picks and odds for the main card.
Please note, the odds listed here may have changed, as BookMaker updates their lines on a daily basis.
UFC Fight Night 79 odds at BookMaker.eu
MAIN EVENT, WELTERWEIGHTS
Benson Henderson -260
Jorge Masvidal +215
Over/under 4.5 rounds, over -190, under +160
PICK: Henderson to win by unanimous decision
Benson Henderson is too well-rounded for Jorge Masvidal, who is primarily a striker. While Masvidal’s standup technique is cleaner than the former lightweight champ’s, he still doesn’t have an answer for Benson’s wrestling and top game. As soon as this fight gets into the clinch, it’ll be all Henderson.
CO-MAIN EVENT, WELTERWEIGHTS
Dong Hyun Kim -705
Dominic Waters +505
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -145, under +125
PICK: Kim to win by TKO in the second round
DHK gets a last-minute replacement in Dominic Waters. We really don’t know much about Waters, but he’ll be fighting one of the best welterweight in the division with less than two weeks notice. Even if he had the benefit of a full camp, it’s way too much, too soon for an untested fighter like Waters. Kim should easily be able to dispatch Waters here.
WELTERWEIGHTS
Yoshihiro Akiyama -205
Alberto Mina +165
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -175, under +135
PICK: Akiyama to win by split decision
Akiyama might be the biggest Asian star on the card, but at 40 years old he’s a shell of the fighter that notched impressive wins in Dream and K-1. “Sexyama’s” paltry 1-4 record in the UFC indicates that his run as an upper echelon fighter is probably over. However, the UFC is gifting him with beatable opponent in Alberto Mina, a jiu-jitsu specialist with an undefeated record. While an 11-0 pro MMA resume is somewhat impressive, Mina has yet to face anybody and Akiyama is by far the best fighter he’s ever competed against. Despite Akiyama’s physically declining abilities, his experience should carry him to victory in a fight that might be a lot closer than you’d expect.
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Doo Ho Choi -250
Sam Sicilia +200
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -125, under +105
PICK: Choi to win by unanimous decision
Sicilia is a powerful puncher, but he might struggle to keep up with Choi, who is extremely active on the feet. At 24 years old, Choi might be Korea’s best prospect, and he’s got plenty of power in his own right. Sicilia thrives when he’s applying pressure, but Choi’s footwork is good enough to keep him chasing. Choi should do enough damage to take the win.
HOW TO BET
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. UFC Fight Night 79 takes place this Saturday, November 28, 2015 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, South Korea. The card will be televised on UFC Fight Pass starting 8 a.m ET.
