We’ve previewed the fights for this Saturday, but now it’s time to talk underdogs. It just so happens that there are a few very intriguing underdogs you should be considering going. Let’s sort through the card and make you some money.
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LIVE ‘DOGS
Antonio Silva +145 vs. Stefan Struve -185
Chris Wade +170 vs. Rustam Khabilov -220
I’ve repeatedly stated that Silva and Struve should probably be closer to a toss-up. While Silva has never looked more vulnerable in his MMA career, it’s not like Struve is the type of overpowering fighter that has always troubled him. Struve’s power doesn’t really scare anyone, which means that Silva should be able to close the distance on the 7-foot Struve. In that case, he can land one his sledgehammer fists on “Skyscraper’s” vulnerable chin.
It’s easy to assume that a strong, experienced wrestler like Khabilov will smother an untested prospect like Wade. But I just think not enough people know who Wade is, and that makes him a significant underdog according to the UFC odds at BookMaker. Wade is a powerful, athletic wrestle-boxer who has an advantage on the feet. If he can neutralize Khabilov’s takedowns, the fight is his for the taking.
WARM ‘DOGS
Andrei Arlovski +160 vs. Alistair Overeem -200
Gunnar Nelson +160 vs. Albert Tumenov -200
Any big man with power has a puncher’s chance against Overeem, who can be shook with one good punch to the jaw. We saw Antonio Silva, Ben Rothwell and Travis Browne all come back from the brink of defeat against the vaunted kickboxer with a few well-placed shots. Arlovski is a very good technical boxer and is very capable of landing a few of his patented straights to the chin of the Dutchman.
I don’t think Gunnar Nelson is big enough to take down and control Tumenov, but we also don’t know whether “Einstein” can fend off a focused grappler for three straight rounds. It’s very plausible we might see Nelson drag this fight to the ground and control the striker for the majority of the fight.
DEAD ‘DOGS
Heather Jo Clark +245 vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz -245
Josh Emmett vs. Jon Tuck ODDS COMING SOON
Who knows what Clark has left after spending more than year recovering from injuries. Even before that, she seemed far from a threat in an extremely thin division. Against an undefeated scraper like Kowalkiewicz, I see Clark getting overwhelmed by activity and pace. Clark doesn’t have the power or speed to make up for it.
It’s tough to write off Josh Emmett, given that he trains with Team Alpha Male and is 9-0 in outside promotions leading up to his UFC debut this Saturday. But man, taking a fight on four days notice is rough. Especially when your opponent is a guy with six UFC fights already and has had the benefit of a full training camp.
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HOW TO BET
Access live betting lines now at BookMaker sportsbook! You can even wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Money lines, totals, props and money line are all available now. UFC Fight Night Rotterdam takes place May 8, 2016 at the Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam Netherlands. The card will air on FOX Sports 1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.
