RADIO
What's up RotoBallers. In this column, Jason and I will be taking a look at the main card for Fight Night 107. 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: 96-46, Jason's Record: 77-66).
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 Fight Night 107.
Editor's Note: Interested in RotoBaller's MMA DFS Cheat Sheet with advanced fighter statistics, deep analysis and detailed insights from MMA DFS Experts Jason and Justin Bales? Let us know here.
Arnold Allen vs Makwan Amirkhani
Justin’s Pick
This is an interesting matchup to kick off the main card. Both fighters tend to rely heavily on grappling, but they will likely cancel each other out in this fight, which means this fight will take place on the feet. Allen is the more active striker with better defense, as well. He also has good power on the feet, and Allen will have a slight advantage if he can keep this fight standing. If Amirkhani can get this fight to the ground, he has the ability to finish this fight with a slick submission. The former is more likely to happen, and the hometown fighter picks up the first win here.
Arnold Allen via TKO, 2nd Round
Jason’s Pick
Makwan “Mr. Finland” Amirkhani gets the slight edge in this fight against Arnold “Almighty” Allen to kick off the main card. Amirkhani is much more accurate while on his feet, which should allow him to conserve energy. As long as he stays in this fight until the second or third round, he should be able to wear down Allen until he is able to shoot and land. Once he gets him to the ground, he has the slight edge. Amirkhani will simply outwork him.
Makwan Amirkhani via Submission, 3rd Round
Brad Pickett vs Marlon Vera
Justin’s Pick
This will be Pickett’s send off fight, which bodes well for his chances. He has only won one of his last six fights, but he’ll be taking a step down in competition against Vera this weekend. Vera has found some success in the UFC, but he still only has a 2-2 record. The experience Pickett has acquired from facing elite competition, such as Uriah Faber, Iuri Alcantara, Thomas Almeida, Ian McCall, and many more throughout his fight will power him to finishing his career on a high note.
Brad Pickett via Unanimous Decision
Jason’s Pick
The UFC wants Brad “One Punch” Pickett to win this fight against Marlon “Chito” Vera in London, England, but it is not going to be as easy as everyone seems to think. Vera is not quite as solid as Pickett on his feet, but he has great grappling. Pickett does not have great takedown defense; just take one look at the Uriah Faber fight. Even so, Justin is correct. Pickett should be able to utilize his experience to eek out a victory this week.
Brad Pickett via Unanimous Decision
Gunnar Nelson vs Alan Jouban
Justin’s Pick
I have been a huge fan of Jouban since his arrival in the UFC, but this is an awful matchup for him. He will look to pressure Nelson and finish the fight early, but it’s likely that he finds himself on his back at some point in this fight. Once Nelson turns this fight into a grappling match, he will easily have the advantage. Jouban has never been submitted in his career, but he has also never fought someone with the pedigree of Nelson. I expect that to change, as Jouban picks up his first ever submission loss this weekend.
Gunnar Nelson via Submission, 2nd Round
Jason’s Pick
Alan “Brahma” Jouban has been on a hot streak, recently beating the up-and-coming Mike “Platinum” Perry. Gunnar “Gunni” Nelson, however, is just too good for Jouban. Jouban is taking a huge leap in competition, and it will not bode well for him. Nelson will take him down, and he will take his back. After that, it is all over. Jouban has a very small path to victory this week in London, England.
Gunnar Nelson via Submission, 1st Round
Jimi Manuwa vs Corey Anderson
Justin’s Pick
Anderson has looked outstanding in the UFC, aside from a couple flaws on his record. Manuwa is in the same boat, but his losses have come against two elite fights in Anthony Johnson and Alexander Gustafsson. Anderson will be looking to turn this fight into a wrestling match, as he can neutralize Manuwa’s power with top control. Manuwa has solid takedown defense, though, and he will be looking to finish the fight for his home crowd. Anderson could potentially give Manuwa problems early in the fight, but it’s unlikely Anderson can hold him down for five rounds. Manuwa will make another statement in the light-heavyweight division with a knockout.
Jimi Manuwa via TKO, 2nd Round
Jason’s Pick
If Corey “Overtime” Anderson can keep the distance of this fight close, he could end up with a victory, but he just does not have much potential to end this fight early. Jimi “Poster Boy” Manuwa is not going to be held down for five rounds. He will eventually turn this fight into a striking competition, and once that happens, it is game over for Anderson. Anderson will return to the octagon and pick up where he left off, but Manuwa is too good right Anderson at this point in his career.
Jimi Manuwa via TKO, 4th Round
