What's up RotoBallers. In this column, I will be taking a look at the main card for UFC 213. Our analysis will help you with your DraftKings MMA lineups. We will be keeping track based on picking winners and losers. We will also predict how the fight will be finished, but that will not reflect in the records (Justin's Record: 131-61).
MMA has one of the best sweats in DFS. Two fighters compete at a time with only one coming out as the winner. It's the best feeling in the world when you are watching the main event of a show and know you need a first round knockout to win the entire tournament. And nothing feels worse than when you need a first round knockout by Stipe Miocic to win thousands of dollars in a tournament, but when he lands that knockout punch, you realize that you placed 14th because Jacare Souza was too dominant in a previous fight. This was a serious scenario that I had to live through when Miocic won the Heavyweight Championship. Without anymore waiting, here are our DFS lineup picks and DraftKings analysis for the main card at UFC 213.
Editor's Note: Interested in RotoBaller's MMA DFS Cheat Sheet with advanced fighter statistics, deep analysis and detailed insights from MMA DFS Expert Justin Bales? Let us know here.
Anthony Pettis vs Jim Miller
Miller is always a great option to start off the main card, especially in a fight against Pettis. Pettis has been on a terrible losing skid recently, but he has lost against top competition. Miller, on the other hand, is 3-1 in his last four fights, only losing a decision to Dustin Poirier. Miller will want to turn this game into a dirty fight, utilizing the clinch and his wrestling. Pettis is going to want to use his athleticism and speed to keep this fight at distance. Pettis should be able to do this for three rounds, scoring a much needed win against a respectable opponent.
Anthony Pettis via Unanimous Decision
Fabricio Werdum vs Alistair Overeem
Werdum and Overeem have both been on unbelievable runs in the UFC, as they have combined for a 12-2 record in their last 14 fights. In that span, both of those fighters have only lost to heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. Overeem has been fighting as smart as anyone in the UFC recently, while Werdum will be looking to make this fight slightly more wild. These two have fought twice before, and they have a 1-1 record against each other. Overeem will be looking to emulate his game plan in their second fight, as he is the more efficient striker with better defense. He also has better takedown accuracy and defense. Overeem may not get the flashy finish, but he should be able to pull off the victory again this weekend.
Alistair Overeem via Unanimous Decision
Daniel Omielanczuk vs Curtis Blaydes
Blaydes lost his first UFC fight by doctor’s stoppable to an elite fighter in Francis Ngannou. Since then, he has dominated each of his next two opponents. Blaydes is an elite wrestler that has a tremendous gas tank for his size. Omielanczuk is a respectable fighter, but he has struggled against grapplers throughout his career. This is a showcase fight for Blaydes on a big stage, as he is one of the top prospects in the heavyweight division. He should be able to put on another dominant performance on his way to a ranked victory.
Curtis Blaydes, TKO, 1st Round
Yoel Romero vs Robert Whittaker
This is one of the hardest fights on the car to predict. These two fighters combined to go 15-0 in their last 15 fights. Romero always seems to find ways to win the fight, even if he has lost two rounds already. Whittaker, on the other hand, does not seem to lose many rounds, as he uses his striking and elite takedown defense to outwork his opponents. Romero has respectable striking, as well, to go along with elite power. He isn’t an efficient takedown artist, but he will be relentless with his takedown attempts the entire fight. If he starts to lose on the scorecards, I expect him to unload his gas tank and look for a finish in the championship rounds.
Yoel Romero, TKO, 4th Round
Amanda Nunes vs Valentina Shevchenko
This is another extremely difficult fight to predict. Nunes has finished each of her wins, aside from Shevchenko, who she beat in a three round decision. Shevchenko had taken over that fight in the third round, though, and many people that Shevchenko would have won that fight had it gone five rounds. With that being said, Shevchenko has been knocked out before, and while she continues to get better, so does Nunes. This fight is essentially a pick ‘em, but I feel Nunes has the power to finish Shevchenko early in the fight this time around.
Amanda Nunes, TKO, 2nd Round