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So maybe 2017 hasn’t been as “big” as last year was, in terms of pay-per-view dollars. But there were plenty of massive upsets that could have put real dollars in your bank account. With the year drawing to a close, it’s time to look back at some of the biggest ‘dogs that came through for lucky gamblers who were savvy enough to lay down some coin on them.
Shameless plug: we definitely called a few of these. The lesson here? Check in with us before every UFC fight card. Now let’s get to it, using the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu for reference.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu
Furthest Fall from Grace
UFC 217
Rose Namajunas +500 vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
J-Check was on the verge of tying Ronda Rousey’s record for most women’s title defenses. A win over Namajunas would have put her in the conversation as the greatest women’s fighter of all time. And on paper, a matchup against the striking-based Namajunas clearly favored a Muay Thai demon like Jedrzejczyk.
Namajunas came out as calm as a Buddhist monk...and destroyed her in one round. Making matters worse was that she did it with strikes, taking out a fighter many considered one of the best technical kickboxers in the UFC. It didn’t help that Joanna’s trash talk and brash antics in the leadup bordered on the arrogant.
Hype Killer
UFC 216
John Moraga +400 vs. Magomed Bibulatov
Bibulatov is widely regarded as one of the best 125-pound prospects in the world. Equal parts punishing and flashy, with elite skills in every MMA phase and an arsenal of flying and spinning attacks, the Chechen’s matchup against former title challenger John Moraga was supposed to be his coming out party.
The fight ended in just under two minutes. Moraga perfectly timed a nuclear left hook that put Bibulatov on the mat and followed up with unnecessary punches to clinch the victory. The loss didn’t derail the hype train, but it sure slowed it down.
Called It, But Didn’t See It Coming
UFC Fight Night 117
Jessica Andrade +250 vs. Claudia Gadelha
We picked Andrade over Gadelha, but nobody expected the former No. 1 contender to get trashed so hard. It was supposed to be a meeting between the division’s two most physically savage fighters, but it just turned into a beatdown that left “Claudinha” bloodied, battered and seriously wondering where her place at 115 lies.
Though Gadelha’s striking in the first round looked spectacular, her tiny gas tank once again reared its ugly head and left her a walking target. By the end of the fight, the muscular Andrade was ragdolling her - something that had even the ringside announcers in disbelief.
Didn’t See It Coming
UFC 215
Kajan Johnson +450 vs. Adriano Martins
Martins is still probably the better fighter - many pegged him as a top-15 guy. But after winning the first two rounds against the veteran Johnson, he let his focus slip and walked into a vicious counter right. After faceplanting from the impact, Martins was left staring at the ceiling, eyes wide open but clearly unconscious. Nasty stuff.
Hype, Validated
UFC Fight Night 109
Volkan Oezdemir +325 vs. Misha Cirkunov
One fight after his short-notice UFC debut, where he upset contender Ovince St. Preux as a +255 underdog, Oezdemir came through again - as an even bigger ‘dog. Cirkunov was considered the finest up-and-comer in the 205 class (and fast closing in on a title shot), and most expected the submission specialist to end Oezdemir’s fairytale rise.
It took less than 30 seconds for the Swiss kickboxer to silence the critics. Oezdemir laid Cirkunov out with a single punch to claim the first-round victory. He would then go on to KO a knockout artist in Jimi Manuwa in less than a minute, again as the underdog. Next up for Oezdemir is a shot at champion Daniel Cormier.
Still Unbelievable
UFC 209
Darren Elkins +450 vs. Mirsad Bektic
Labelled the “next GSP”, Bektic looked every bit the part as he pounded on Elkins for two rounds. At times, it was hard to watch as Elkins seemingly had no answer for the takedowns, top control and GNP. After the first round, Elkins had a massive cut over his eye, leaking pools of blood onto the mat.
But midway in the final round, Elkins dug deep, rallied and launched a desperate assault. The WWE could not have scripted a better ending, as “The Damage” landed huge right hands and a head kick that sent Bektic sprawling. This was back in March, and it’s still one of the best fights of the year.
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