What's up RotoBallers. In this column, I will be taking a look at the main card for Fight Night 118. 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: 156-77).
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 118.
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.
Oskar Piechota vs Jonathan Wilson
Piechota will make his UFC debut this weekend. He has looked outstanding against lesser competition, finishing each of his nine wins. He has displayed an impressive arsenal of submissions to go along with good power. He gets a matchup against Wilson, who had the look of an elite prospect before losing his last two fights. They were two tough opponents, but also two opponents that top prospects should be. Piechota is now the top prospect in this situation, while Wilson could find his walking papers if he does not turn his career around quickly. Ultimately, I feel Piechota is too versatile of a fighter to lose to Wilson this weekend.
Oskar Piechota, Submission, 2nd Round
Jan Blachowicz vs Devin Clark
This is going to be a fun fight. Clark is a bit more accurate with his striking, but both men come in with similar striking defense. Blachowicz is the slightly more accurate takedown artist, while Clark is the more active grappler with better defense. One of the biggest factors in this fight, though, is the level of competition each fighter has faced. Blachowicz has fought some of the best of the best in the division, while Clark has been brought up much slower. I believe this fight will come down to grappling, and Clark has an edge. It would be far from surprising if Blachowicz’s experience brings him to victory, though.
Devin Clark via Unanimous Decision
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Jodie Esquibel
Quite frankly, this is Kowalkiewicz fight to lose. Esquilbel has looked impressive in her victories, and there could be a place for her in the UFC, but she is simply not ready for someone as good as Kowalkiewicz. Kowalkiewicz has only ever lost to Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha, who are two of the best women in the strawweight division. Esquibel, on the other hand, has lost to lesser competition, including Alexa Grasso just two fights ago. This will be a three round showcase of Kowalkiewicz’s striking.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz via Unanimous Decision
Donald Cerrone vs Darren Till
This is the oft-used matchup of the established star against an up-and-coming fighter. Cerrone has been around for quite some time, dominating the welterweight division before losing his last two fights to two of the best the UFC has to offer. Till is an undefeated fighter that has looked outstanding against lesser competition. Till is an impressive striker, who comes with great striking defense. With that being said, he has yet to fight anyone with Cerrone’s skills on the feet. Cerrone also plenty of grappling prowess, winning 50% of his fights by submission. Till is no slouch on the ground, but he generally prefers to keep this fight standing. This should be a fun, back and forth fight that depends on Cerrone’s grappling. If this fight gets to the ground, Cerrone has the advantage. If it stays standing, Till will have the advantage. Regardless, it will be a fight filled with fireworks and exciting moments.
Donald Cerrone, Submission, 3rd Round