2 years agoMiddleweights are set for the co-main-event spotlight when Jack Hermansson (22-7) looks to get back on a winning streak against last-minute replacement Chris Curtis on Saturday. Hermansson has alternated wins and losses (3-3) since April of 2019, with only one of his victories coming by way of finish. Typically a finisher throughout his lengthy career, 17 of his 22 wins have come via the finish -- 10 have come by knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees fight as the closest matchup on the card with Hermansson the very slight underdog at a price tag of $8,000. Throughout his UFC career, Hermansson averages 78.7 fantasy points per contest. Though Curtis is taking the fight on about three week's notice, he has defeated quite the list of middleweights in his career, making it a tough matchup for Hermansson.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoJordan Leavitt (10-1) will enter UFC fight night in London this Saturday for the biggest contest of his life when he faces crowd-favorite Paddy Pimblett. After a first-round submission victory on the Contender Series in August of 2020, Leavitt has gone on a 3-1 run in the UFC, with two of those wins coming by finish. With bad blood brewing between Leavitt and Pemblett, there is no doubt that this matchup has fight-of-the-night potential. DraftKings sees the Monkey King as the big underdog with a salary of $7,300. Throughout his UFC career, Leavitt averages 85.4 fantasy points per contest. This matchup could truly be a flip of a coin, but regardless of which side ends up victorious, the chances are high that we'll get a finish.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoIn what could easily be the fight of the night on Saturday, Paddy Pimblett (18-3) enters the Octagon for the second time this year when he faces new rival Jordan Leavitt. Pimblett has become an immediate star on the UFC scene, not only with his showmanship in the Octagon, but also after two first-round knockout wins since signing with the UFC. With strong finishing skills, 14 of his 18 career wins have come by the finish, with nine of those via submission. Both his UFC bouts have ended by way of first-round knockout victories. DraftKings sees the Baddy as the sizeable favorite with a salary of $8,900. In his two UFC bouts, Pimblett is averaging 108.6 fantasy points per contest. Leavitt will prove to be a dangerous opponent, though. No matter who wins, this one is likely to end via first-round knockout.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoNikita Krylov (27-9) will look to prevent a three-fight losing streak Saturday at UFC fight night in London when he battles the returning Alexander Gustafsson. Though Krylov has suffered two losses, they were both against top-tier opponents. Very few fighters can finish the fight like Krylov, who has scored finishes in 26 of his 27 career wins -- 15 of those wins coming via submission. DraftKings sees the Miner as the favorite with a salary of $8,600. Throughout his UFC career, Krylov averages 70.3 fantasy points per contest. Krylov has his back to the wall and is in need of a victory, but he has to be careful against a veteran in Gustafsson who has had some time to fully recover from injuries.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoIt will be almost two years from the date of the last time we saw Alexander Gustafsson (18-7) in action, but UFC fight night in London on Saturday will mark the return of the Swedish superstar when he faces Nikita Krylov. Losing his last three matchups before his retirement, Gustafsson will return looking to add another knockout to his resume, with 11 of his 18 career wins already coming by KO/TKO. DraftKings sees Gus as the underdog with a salary of $7,600. Throughout his UFC career, he averages 72.0 fantasy points per contest. With Krylov dropping his last two contests, it would not be a surprise if we saw Gustafsson return to his old form in this bout.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoHannah Goldy (6-2) will step onto enemy turf Saturday at UFC fight night in London when she faces crowd-favorite Molly McCann. After a victory in her 2019 Contender Series showing, Goldy lost her first two UFC showings by decision before earning her first Octagon win last September via first-round armbar. DraftKings sees 24k as the big underdog with a salary of $6,900. Throughout her UFC career, Goldy averages 60.7 fantasy points per contest. Facing such a tough opponent in McCann on her home turf does not give Goldy good odds Saturday.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoWith three straight win within her grasp, there is no doubt Molly McCann (12-4) will have the hometown crowd behind her when she faces Hannah Goldy at UFC fight night in London on Saturday's main card of action. After losing back-to-back bouts to open up her UFC career, McCann turned it all around and won her next two bouts, her last coming via third-round TKO. DraftKings sees Meatball as the favorite with a salary of $9,300. Throughout her UFC career, McCann averages 67.4 fantasy points per contest. Look for McCann to have another stellar performance on her home turf.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoHoping to avoid three straight losses, Volkan Oezdemir (17-6) returns to action for the first time in 2022 this Saturday. A big striker throughout his career, 12 of his 17 wins have come by knockout/TKO. The last couple of years have been rough for Oezdemir, as he's gone 2-4 over his last six matchups. Facing a dangerous submission expert like Paul Craig does not appear to be a great matchup for Oezdemir. DraftKings actually sees No Time as the favorite with a salary of $8,500. Throughout his UFC career, Oezdemir averages 63.5 fantasy points per contest. This is a dangerous contest for Oezdemir. Proceed with caution if you're considering rostering him.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoThe light heavyweights kick off the main card of UFC fight night in London with Paul Craig (16-4-1) battling former title contender Volkan Oezdemir on Saturday. Craig has been on an impressive run of late, without a loss in his last six matchups (5-0 with one draw). With a knack for submissions, his last 12 victories have come via submission. Overall in his professional career, all 16 of his wins have come by a finish, with 13 of those by submission. Oezdemir has lost four of his last six fights, so this just might be another opportunity for Craig to get a finish and put himself in title contention. DraftKings sees Craig as the underdog with a salary of $7,700. Throughout his UFC career, Craig averages 66.4 fantasy points per contest. This just might be the main-card underdog to put your money on.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoYair Rodriguez displayed solid striking in his one round of action in Saturday's main event against Brian Ortega. While Ortega was trying to escape an armbar, he dislocated his shoulder, which ended the contest and gave Rodriguez the TKO victory. With Alexander Volkanovski out for some time with an injury, it's possible we get a Rodriguez-Josh Emmett interim title matchup. If so, look for Rodriguez to have the striking edge and the ability to earn another TKO win.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoUnfortunately, injuries are a part of the game and can happen at anytime, even in a main event. Brian Ortega (shoulder) knows that better than most, losing Saturday's main event via a first-round TKO due to injury in his matchup against Yair Rodriguez. While escaping an armbar, Ortega dislocated his shoulder. In 4:11 of total action, Ortega was able to tally 22 significant strikes (26 total strikes) while landing one takedown. We shall see if the UFC runs this one back, but many believe Rodriguez was getting the better of the exchange early on in this contest.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoThe rough road continued for Michelle Waterson, who has now lost four of her last five contests, after Saturday's co-main event second-round submission loss to Amanda Lemos. After a solid first round, Waterson was caught in a guillotine on a failed takedown try in the second round. It's been a while since Waterson has been relevant in the fantasy world. Until retirement, it looks like she will be a gatekeeper between the middle tier and top tier of the division.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoContinuing to look impressive in the women's strawweight division, Amanda Lemos put a big name under her cap Saturday by defeating Michelle Waterson via second-round submission in the night's co-main event of action. In 6:48 minutes of action, Lemos tallied only 20 significant strikes, which was less than Waterson's output. As Waterson shot in for a takedown in the second round, Lemos was able to grab ahold and lock in a guillotine. Though Lemos faced adversity in the first round, she has shown her ability to turn things around and earn the finish. Lemos has now won six of her last seven contests.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoWith his five fight winning streak hanging in the balance, Muslim Salikhov was unable to make it six in a row, suffering a second-round TKO loss to Li Jingliang on Saturday. In 9:38 of action, Salikhov collected 23 significant strikes (33 total strikes) but absorbed 38 significant strikes from Jingliang. After a very close first round, Salikhov was unable to keep up with the Leech's picked-up pace of action. If Salikhov stays matched up with fighters out of the top 15, we could see him score more victories on fight night.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoLi Jingliang put on an amazing performance Saturday against a very tough opponent in Muslim Salikhov. After a close first round of action, the Leech picked up the pace and secured a second-round TKO by way of a barrage of strikes after Salikhov hit the mat. In 9:38 of total action, Jingliang tallied 38 significant strikes (40 total strikes) while stuffing three of Salikhov's four takedown tries on the night. The Leech has only lost to the very best of the welterweight division. Depending on how we see him matched up next, it's likely he may be able to score big points for fantasy managers next time out.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN