UFC 293: <\/strong>Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Israel Adesanya?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Adesanya has undeniably etched his name in the company\u2019s history as one of its most exceptional fighters. He stands among the absolute best, fresh off his iconic victory against Alex Periera at UFC 287.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adesanya looked back to his best in his win over Pereira in April and managed to climb over a pretty sizeable mental hurdle in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Sean Strickland?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Stillknocks\u2019 became only the second man, after Adesanya, to beat former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker earlier this year, knocking him out in stunning fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Tarzan\u2019 is a big 185lber, he boasts a good reach of 76\u201d, he can sit behind his jab nicely, and he\u2019s also a solid fighter in the clinch and on the ground should the fight hit there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, he has a dangerous tendency to hold his chin too high and often drops his hands worryingly low too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The promotion wanted Adesanya to headline this weekend and du Plessis simply wasn\u2019t ready, and so Sean Strickland has been pushed into the spot instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In all honesty, this isn\u2019t a bad fight by any means. Strickland is currently on a two-fight win streak and looked good in dispatching Abus Magomedov in July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, barring a freak occurrence, it\u2019s hard to imagine Strickland doing anything to put Adesanya in danger here. It\u2019s more likely that \u2018The Last Stylebender\u2019 takes a round to warm up before dispatching his challenger in the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 293: <\/strong>Tai Tuivasa vs. Alexander Volkov<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Tai Tuivasa?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you think heart wins fights, then toss a unit on “Bam Bam,” a portly power puncher who brings all kinds of chaotic energy into the Octagon. Tuivasa surprises his opponents with his strength \u2014 both on punches and low kicks \u2014 and has won seven of his eight UFC fights by KO\/TKO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tuivasa’s defense is suspect, but he could easily score an underdog KO. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Alexander Volkov?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
With a five-inch advantage in both height and reach over Tuivasa, Volkov can do some damage. The Russian’s leg reach will loom large, too, as we can expect him to devastate any opponent’s midsection with front kicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tai Tuivasa vs. Alexander Volkov Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Volkov isn’t an elite fighter, but he’s composed and accurate \u2014 the antithesis of Tuivasa’s game plan. The size differential would freak out any Tuivasa backer, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We like Tuivasa and I’ll give him massive credit for prioritizing entertainment over his win-loss record. We just don’t think Volkov sees it that way. Drago, much like his Russian brethre Sergei Pavlovich, should come out of the gates on a mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 293: <\/strong>Manel Kape vs. Felipe dos Santos<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Manel Kape?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
‘Starboy’ is compact, powerful, and capable of a dynamic knockout while also possessing the cardio to secure a decision win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is quite a skilled fighter and coming in from a 3 fights winning streak, he is looking sharp and ready to go at his next shot after a streak of canceled fights against top contenders in recent months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Felipe dos Santos?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The 22-year-old was originally scheduled to fight on Dana White’s Contender Series before that fight got nixed. Now he’ll be thrust into a massive spotlight on a UFC pay-per-view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Lipe Detona’ trains with Chute Boxe in Brazil, home of former UFC lightweight champ Charles Oliveira, so it’s not unreasonable to draw similarities. We imagine he’s got some chaotic spirit to him, but his opponent is a warrior in his own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manel Kape vs. Felipe dos Santos Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Honestly, we just don’t know enough about Dos Santos. We’ve watched a bit of tape \u2014 the kid is lean, quick, and strong off his back \u2014 but we might be steering clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Against a UFC newcomer, Kape has enough experience to win inside the distance. As I said, dos Santos is creative and comfortable in the cage, but he’s way too lean to withstand even 15 minutes of Kape’s punishment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 293: <\/strong>Justin Tafa vs. Austen Lane<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Justin Tafa?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Justin Tafa (6-3) is a former rugby player who turned to kickboxing before making mixed martial arts his full-time gig. Combat sports have been in his family his whole life as his grandfather was a national boxing champion and his brother Junior Tafa is a current UFC heavyweight alongside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tafa is coming off back-to-back wins for the first time in his UFC career and will be looking to make it three in a row this Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Austen Lane?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Austen Lane (12-3) is a former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end who turned mixed martial artist. He is a towering heavyweight contender that has knockout power as he has showcased in 11 of his 12 wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He will be making his UFC debut against his toughest adversary to date Justin Tafa this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Justin Tafa vs. Austen Lane Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It took two tries but Austen Lane finally got the contract that he deserved after his second stint on the Contender Series. He knocked out Richard Jacobi in the first round which solidified his roster spot in the UFC. He was scheduled to fight Justin Tafa’s brother Junior Tafa but he had to withdraw due to injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast forward four months later, Lane now gets to make his promotional debut against another Tafa brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lane is large for the division and has one-punch knockout power which will have to come in handy against another power puncher like Justin Tafa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 293: <\/strong>Tyson Pedro vs. Anton Turkalj<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Tyson Pedro?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pedro is an Australian mixed martial artist with a professional MMA record of 9-4 with four TKO\/KOs and five submissions at the age of 31. He trains out of the great City Kickboxing gym in New Zealand with some of the best fighters in the world, including the headliner of this card Israel Adesanya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pedro has had a long UFC career, even though he missed three years due to a reconstruction surgery on his knee and the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Anton Turkalj?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Turkalj is a Swedish mixed martial artist with a professional record of 8-2 with five KO\/TKOs and two submissions under his belt at only the age of 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His first two losses have been his last two appearances in the UFC, meaning this upcoming bout is massive for his career\u2013sometimes, the situation in an athlete\u2019s career makes a big difference when making UFC picks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Pleasure Man\u201d brings a lot of confidence and an interesting personality to the UFC if he starts to put out winning performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tyson Pedro vs. Anton Turkalj Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is an interesting matchup between a battle-tested veteran of the sport with a great team against a very talented young fighter who has the potential to be a very good fighter in the UFC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pedro is going to have an advantage with the event being on home soil and having all that support. He also has shared the cage with the likes of Shogun Rua and Ovince St. Preux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkalj is an interesting character in this matchup because he usually has a slight edge over opponents due to his confidence and self-belief, but after losing two fights in a row, his mentality might be slightly different heading into this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are expecting Pedro to get his hands raised at the end of this clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 293: <\/strong>Carlos Ulberg vs. Da Un Jung<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Carlos Ulberg?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After smashing his way past Bruno Oliveira on Contender Series, Carlos Ulberg (9-1) crashed back to Earth in his \u201cFight of the Night\u201d-winning Octagon debut, which saw Kennedy Nzechukwu survive early trouble to stop ‘Black Jag’ in the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\u2019s since found his stride with four straight wins, the most recent of which earned him \u201cPerformance of the Night.\u201d He\u2019s also knocked out three opponents in a row and six overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Da Un Jung?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Da Un Jung (15-4-1) capped off his 4-0-1 UFC start with a violent knockout of the aforementioned Nzechukwu. That proved to be his last win since 2021, as he subsequently suffered back-to-back losses to Dustin Jacoby and Devin Clark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carlos Ulberg vs. Da Un Jung Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ulberg has violently knocked out three consecutive lumbering sluggers and all signs point to finish No. 4. Jung has never been a technical wiz on the feet, as seen when he struggled with Sam Alvey of all people. He\u2019s made up for it with power and sheer physicality, but Ulberg has seemingly advanced past the point where that combination poses a threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All Jung has going for him in this matchup is reach, which Ulberg has admittedly struggled with before. Again, though, Ulberg\u2019s growth in the Octagon makes it hard to imagine him falling victim to a rudimentary slugger. In the end, that check hook claims yet another victim in the opening minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UFC 293: <\/strong>Jack Jenkins vs. Chepe Mariscal<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhy Bet on Jack Jenkins?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jack Jenkins (12-2) \u2014 a former Eternal MMA champ \u2014 secured his Octagon berth by beating down Freddy Emiliano Linares on Contender Series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Phar’ currently sits at 2-0 in the world\u2019s leading mixed martial arts promotion after warring his way past Don Shainis and narrowly edging out Jamall Emmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His professional stoppage wins are split 5:3 between knockouts and submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Bet on Chepe Mariscal?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jose Mariscal (14-6) bounced back from a 1-3 skid with three consecutive knockouts. His success carried him to the Octagon, where he overpowered Trevor Peek in a \u201cFight of the Night\u201d-worthy slugfest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jack Jenkins vs. Chepe Mariscal Betting Analysis:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As someone who sang Jenkins\u2019 praises ahead of his UFC debut, he did not win that Emmers fight. Luckily for him, ‘Chepe’ doesn\u2019t have the length or wrestling skills that ‘Pretty Boy’ used to give Jenkins hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mariscal\u2019s takedowns aren\u2019t sufficiently stout to get through Jenkins\u2019 defensive grappling and his striking, though powerful, pales in comparison to Jenkins\u2019 razor-sharp boxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We underestimated Mariscal going into the Peek fight, but Jenkins\u2019 technical supremacy will be a much tougher puzzle to solve than Peek\u2019s raw brutality. In short, Jenkins pieces him up as a \u201cFight of the Night\u201d candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n