What's up RotoBallers. In this column, I will be taking a look at the main card for Fight Night 124. My analysis will help you with your DraftKings MMA lineups. I will be keeping track based on picking winners and losers, starting fresh for 2018. I will also predict how the fight will be finished, but that will not reflect in the records (Justin's 2018 Record: 0-0).
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 my DFS lineup picks and DraftKings analysis for the main card at Fight Night 124.
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.
Kamaru Usman vs Emil Meek
I am a bit fan of Meek, but this is Usman’s fight to lose. He showed off plenty of power in his striking during his last fight to go along with an elite grappling attack. He should be fighting the elite of the elite at welterweight, but supposedly, no one wants to fight him. Meek had an impressive debut, but he simply does not have the tools to beat Usman. This will be another step in the direction of a title shot for Usman.
Kamaru Usman, TKO, 2nd Round
Paige VanZant vs Jessica-Rose Clark
This is an interesting matchup. I feel VanZant may be a bit overrated, as she has struggled against top talent in the UFC, while Clark may be slightly underrated due to only one UFC fight. Clark looked good in her debut, though, showing tremendous heart and cardio. VanZant brings experience into this fight, as she already has six fights in the UFC. She also has the advantage in grappling, as Clark struggled to stop takedowns in her UFC debut. Still, I expect Clark’s activity to be the difference-maker in this fight. If it goes to a decision, which I expect it to, Clark will have the slight advantage.
Jessica-Rose Clark via Unanimous Decision
Uriah Hall vs Vitor Belfort
This should be an exciting fight, but it should also be fairly one-sided. Belfort is no longer in his prime, as his chin is starting to fade. He has lost three of his last five fights by knockout, and he will face off against a knockout artist in Uriah Hall this weekend. Hall has hit a skid recently, but he has also recorded a knockout in each of his last four wins. He has only truly lost against top tier competition recently, and Belfort no longer falls in that category. Keep in mind, Belfort does come with knockout power, but this fight favors Hall.
Uriah Hall, TKO, 1st Round
Jeremy Stephens vs Dooho Choi
Stephens is a respected fighter, but he has now lost five of his last eight fights. He is a powerful puncher, who has been fighting tremendous competition since 2007. Choi, on the other hand, is a young fighter that has dominated nearly everyone outside of Cub Swanson, who took him to the limit in their last meeting. Choi looked outstanding in that fight, displaying great striking with an elite chin. Stephens is known for his power, but he has not recorded a knockout since 2015, and Choi is not an easy person to knockout. The majority of this fight will likely take place on feet, giving an advantage to Choi. He is the more technical striker, and it would be surprising if Stephens is able to knock him out.
Dooho Choi, TKO, 3rd Round