We’ve got another solid Fight Night card this Saturday, taking place in the Netherlands -- the home country of headliner Alistair Overeem. You’ve only got a few days to lock in your pre-fight bets, so make sure to head over to the sportsbook to assess your options. In case you missed the fight previews this week we’ve got some quick picks on the main card for you to consider.
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MAIN EVENT, HEAVYWEIGHTS
Alistair Overeem -200
Andrei Arlovski +160
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over +100, under -120
PICK: Overeem TKO Arlovski, Round 2
Both men prefer to strike, and if a kickboxing match ensues you have to give the edge to former K-1 champion Alistair Overeem. He is a true four-limbed striker, and his knees from the clinch are the most devastating weapon in this matchup. And in a matchup between two men with suspect chins, Overeem has the power advantage. Arlovski is more a straight boxer, and although he has knockout power of his own he has a smaller toolbox to work with.
CO-MAIN EVENT, HEAVYWEIGHTS
Antonio Silva +145
Stefan Struve -185
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over +160, under -185
PICK: Silva TKO Struve, Round 2
Here’s another matchup between two big men that have been laid out cold on numerous occasions. While the odds favor Struve, my instinct is that this should be a toss-up. Silva may not be the fighter he was before TRT, but he’s still a giant with hams for fists. If he’s willing to take a few shots from a power-deficient Struve, the Brazilian has a great chance to plant a killshot.
WELTERWEIGHTS
Albert Tumenov -200
Gunnar Nelson +160
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -200, under +170
PICK: Tumenov UD Nelson
This is an awesome matchup between a terrifying striker -- Tumenov -- and a submission wizard in Nelson. If Nelson was a big welterweight, he could arguably drag Tumenov into his web on the mat. But he’s no Demian Maia, which will allow Tumenov to keep this fight standing. In that scenario, Tumenov’s lightning fast hands and fearsome power will be the determining factor in this fight.
Light Heavyweights
Nikita Krylov -160
Francimar Barroso +135
Over/under 1.5 rounds, over -120, under +100
Krylov is ranked No. 15 by the UFC, and the 24-year old is a fresh young prospect in an aging 205-pound division. Since losing two of his first three fights in the octagon -- one to current title challenger Ovince St. Preux -- he’s righted the ship with three straight first-round finishes. In fact, all of his 19 wins have come by stoppage, so it’ll be interesting to see whether he can continue the trend against Francimar Barroso.
The Brazilian is 3-1 under the UFC banner, with his only loss coming against Hans Stringer in March 2014. At 36 years old, Barroso isn’t likely to evolve into a top-level fighter, but he’s a nice test for the young Krylov.
WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHTS
Heather Jo Clark +205
Karolina Kowalkiewicz -245
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -268, under +222
PICK: Kowalkiewicz UD Clark
Clark returns to the cage after more than year on the sidelines due to injury, and she’s not getting an easy fight in her return. While Clark is a good boxer, Kowalkiewicz is a hyperactive fighter whose pace could give her a ton of problems. Given that we’ve seen Clark gas in previous fights, matching up against an undefeated sparkplug does not bode well.
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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.
