It’s been nearly three weeks since the last UFC event and the void has had many of us in the MMA bubble jonesing for the big show to give us some big fights. And our wishes will be granted on Saturday night as UFC 212: Miocic vs. Dos Santos II is littered with exceptional bouts, many of which will give the betting public some exceptional opportunities.
In the main event, we have a rematch between UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic (-125) and former kingpin Junior Dos Santos (+115). Despite their first encounter going the full twenty five minutes, these are heavyweights … and these are two fighters who have a penchant and desire to win with their fists.
If you believe in this theory, then the logical choice for any fun bet is to pick one (or both) via T/KO. If you are leaning toward Miocic, you can get this prop at +160. If you fancy Dos Santos, most sites have it at +168.
In the co-main event, we have the baddest 115 lbs woman on the planet, in UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejzcyk (-175) taking on challenger Jessica Andrade (+138). Joanna is five inches taller and has a 3.5 inch reach advantage. Technically that’s bad news for Jessica and screams of a striking advantage. If you agree, Joanna via T/KO pays a delicious +350.
But, with a shorter fighter, takedowns can be easier to achieve, so don’t sleep on Andrade grinding out a victory here. If she can control Joanna for 3 of the 5 rounds, she will pull off a decision and that pays +350.
Next up we have near consensus number one welterweight contender Demian Maia (-110) who will take on the resurging Jorge Masvidal (-110). While I am intrigued by this exceptional matchup, I am leaning towards Maia in this one, especially since he rarely gets hit, takes his opponents down to the mat and submits so many of them. That’s not to say Jorge can’t light up the Brazilian, but the numbers are telling me to consider Maia via submission at +200.
Speaking of contenders, featherweight Frankie Edgar (-149) has been in the title mix in each division he has competed since late 2009. He now finds himself vs the very dangerous, extremely hyped and needs to be respected Yair Rodriquez (+120).
Yair is five inches taller than Frankie and holds a three inch reach advantage. To say he stands in an orthodox stance or unorthodox stance is almost doing your research a disservice. This guy switches non-stop, so Edgar will have to be moving and reacting non-stop in this one. To make a long story short, the New Jersey native will have his hands full.
If Edgar is going to emerge victorious, I believe it will via decision (+120). Maybe the same can be said for Rodriquez (+300) as Frankie is next to impossible to finish. But if Yair is the future of this division and has that youth speed advantage, he may shock and awe Frankie (especially if the ref selected for this bout doesn’t give Edgar the benefit of the doubt if hurt). If this happens to take place, you can get Rodriquez via T/KO at +450.
As for the rest of the card, you may want to consider:
Lightweight Dustin Poirier over Eddie Alvarez via T/KO at +350 as well as …
Eddie Alvarez over Dustin Poirier via T/KO at +300 (as there will be bombs thrown non-stop in this bout and I would not be surprised if it ends before the full 15 mins are up
Underdog featherweight Jason Knight (+100) over Chas Skelly (-125) to win inside the distance at +305
What are your thoughts? Have some fun bets of your own that can compliment this list? Hit me up on social media ( @ShowdownJoe ) with your thoughts.
