What's up RotoBallers. In this column, I will be taking a look at the main card for Fight Night 132. 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: 38-20).
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 132.
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.
Li Jingliang vs Daichi Abe
This should be an extremely fun fight to kick off the main card, although I’m not entirely sure it will be that competitive. Jingliang is a massive welterweight, and he should have the advantage regardless of where this fight takes place (assuming he gets dominant grappling positions). This fight should feature a lot of striking, and both fighters have the ability to win with only one punch. With that being said, I believe Jingliang is the superior striker, and he should be able to work around Abe’s power. Either fighter has a chance because of their knockout power, but Jingliang should be able to dictate this fight for three rounds.
Li Jingliang via Unanimous Decision
Jessica-Rose Clark vs Jessica Eye
This is a bit of an interesting fight. Clark is 2-0 in the UFC, but one of those wins was an unimpressive split decision against Bec Rawlings. Eye, on the other hand, has lost five of her last seven fights, but each of those losses were against higher level UFC talents. The main problem for Eye is that this fight is highly likely to go to decision, and Clark is an extremely active fighter. Eye is likely the slightly more skilled fighter, but Clark’s pace and efficiency has shined early in her UFC career, and that could be the case again this weekend.
Jessica-Rose Clark vs Unanimous Decision
Ovince Saint Preux vs Tyson Pedro
This fight truly is a toss up between two light-heavyweights with tremendous stoppage potential. Saint Preux has always had elite potential, but he has been hindered by staying loyal to his small MMA gym. That has somewhat stopped his progress, while Pedro is consistently getting better. If this fight stays standing, I expect OSP to have a slight edge. If it goes to the ground, Pedro should have the edge, assuming he is on top. I feel the latter is slightly more likely to happen, giving Pedro the edge in this fight.
Tyson Pedro, Submission, 2nd Round
Donald Cerrone vs Leon Edwards
The line shift in this fight was incredible to watch, as Cerrone opened as a favorite, but is now a sizable underdog. He has been losing against the best of the best at welterweight, but he is coming off his first win against someone outside of the top-10. Edwards is a fighter looking to add a bit name to hit resume and break his way into the top of this division. Edwards is a defensive striker, while Cerrone is a bit wilder with his attack. I don’t expect this fight to hit the ground much, although Edwards is the type of fighter that will fight smart instead of getting into a fire fight to please the fans. Both fighters come with fight ending potential, but I’m not entirely sure Edwards is ready for this moment. Cerrone’s aggressive style will force him into a type of fight he doesn’t want, resulting in another impressive win for Cowboy.
Donald Cerrone, TKO, 3rd Round