2 years agoAlex Pereira proved to any remaining doubters at UFC 276 on Saturday that he is the absolute real deal with a deadly sniper's striking ability by earning a first-round knockout over Sean Strickland. In 2:36 of action, Pereira tallied 25 significant strikes, including a huge left hook that sent Strickland falling to the mat. During his fall, Strickland was struck with a devastating right hand that knocked him out cold. Many are clamoring for a Pereira/Israel Adesanya title fight. Pereira does hold two victories over Adesanya in the world of kickboxing, and there is something to be said for that mental edge.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoWe expected nothing less from Robbie Lawler when he was involved in a barn-burning affair on the main card of a UFC pay-per-view event on Saturday. Though he suffered a second-round TKO to Bryan Barberena, Lawler took the first round on two of the three judges' scorecards. He was able to land 81 significant strikes in 9:47 of total action. Though Lawler has not been on the winning side of many of his bouts lately, he's shown he still has devastating power and could be just one friendly matchup away from a big performance.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoIt was the barn-burner we all hoped for and expected when Bryan Barberena and Robbie Lawler met in the Octagon at UFC 276 on Saturday. Barberena came out with a blistering pace, not letting off the attack for a second and even eating a few huge shots from Lawler. Barberena's persistence paid off as he earned a second-round TKO victory. In 9:47 of total action, Barberena tallied 147 significant strikes (over 15 significant strikes landed per minute). If Barberena can continue to fight like this, we may have a guy you can consistently start in fantasy who will score big points.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoRegardless of what Sean O'Malley may say, Saturday's UFC 276 contest against Pedro Munhoz was ruled a no-contest after an accidental eye poke in the second round. Both fighters had their moments in the first round, with two of the three judges actually awarding the first round to Munhoz. In 8:09 of action, O'Malley tallied 25 significant strikes, one less than Munhoz. There is no doubt about the fantasy value that O'Malley possesses with his devastating knockout ability. It's more than likely we see this one run back, possibly even this year.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoIt was not the finish Pedro Munhoz hoped for on Saturday, but his UFC 276 main-card opener against Sean O'Malley ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke. Munhoz did suffer a slight injury to his eye. Through 8:09 of total action, Munhoz out-struck O'Malley by one, landing 26 significant strikes, with all 26 coming in the form of leg kicks. It looked like Munhoz's game plan was to take out the base of O'Malley and take him out in the latter portions of the contest. It would not be a surprise at all if we see this one run back soon.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoJared Cannonier (15-5) has a chance of a lifetime at UFC 276 in the main event of International Fight Week on Saturday when he battles reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya for the title. Cannonier will bring size and power into this matchup, having competed as high as heavyweight in the UFC. That power has translated to finishes, with nine of his 15 career wins coming by knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees the Killa Gorilla as the biggest underdog of the night with a salary of $6,800. Throughout his UFC career, Cannonier averages 60.1 fantasy points per contest. Adesanya is in the prime of his career and is a pound-for-pound great right now. Cannonier has a puncher's chance because of his power, but more than likely we'll see Adesanya dominate five rounds.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoSet for his fourth title defense as the UFC's featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski (24-1) will face Max Holloway for the third time on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC's International Fight Week card in UFC 276. A dangerous striker who can also go the distance, 12 of his 24 career wins have come by knockout/TKO, with an additional 10 coming by decision, including two of his three UFC title defenses. DraftKings sees Volkanovski as the big favorite with a salary of $9,000. Throughout his UFC career, Volkanovski averages 110.1 fantasy points per contest. On a dominant run, he appears to always be a safe bet. The only concern is Holloway is a world-class talent and will be getting his third crack at the man who has beat him twice already.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoIn possibly his last chance to redeem his UFC featherweight championship, Max Holloway (23-6) takes to the co-main event of UFC 276 on Saturday for International Fight Week and will face off for the third time against Alexander Volkanovski. With the most significant strikes landed in the UFC by over 1,000, Holloway is always likely to rack up the striking for fantasy managers, especially in a five-round battle. History has shown us this battle is likely to go the entire five rounds. DraftKings sees Blessed as the big underdog with a salary of $7,200. Throughout his UFC career, Holloway averages 88.6 fantasy points per contest. A lot of this is probably based off the fact that Volkanovski won both of their previous two contests. Don't be surprised if Holloway is able to pull it off in the third meeting.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoOnly 5-1 in his MMA career, Alex Pereira has already ascended to the top of the UFC's middleweight division. A victory over division foe and long-time veteran Sean Strickland on Saturday would earn Pereira a title fight against the winner of Saturday night's main event. With an extensive kickboxing background, including a GLORY knockout of Israel Adesanya, four of his five MMA wins have come by knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees Poatan as the favorite with a salary of $8,300. Throughout his UFC career, Pereira averages 87.1 fantasy points per contest. He has to be careful facing a veteran like Strickland, but Pereira has the power to end this with one strike.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoSince returning to action in 2020 from a horrific motorcycle injury that could have ended his life, Sean Strickland (25-3) has been perfect in the Octagon with a record of 5-0. On the main card of International Fight Week on Saturday, Strickland will battle Alex Pereira for the right to challenge the winner of the night's main event for the middleweight championship. A dominant fighter who likes to control the pace, 10 of his 25 career wins have come by knockout/TKO, with another 11 coming by decision. DraftKings sees Strickland as the underdog with a salary of $7,900. Throughout his UFC career, Strickland averages 77.9 fantasy points per contest. Strickland is hoping experience will come into play, as this will only be Pereira's seventh MMA bout.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoLooking for his third straight victory in the Octagon, Bryan Barberena (17-8) will step onto the main card of UFC 276 for International Fight Week to battle the legendary Robbie Lawler on Saturday. A dangerous finisher in the welterweight division, 10 of his 17 career wins have come by knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees Bam Bam as the underdog with a salary of $7,700. Throughout his UFC career, Barberena averages 74.9 fantasy points per contest. The one advantage Barberena has in his favor is that Lawler is 1-4 in his last five fights, but his last outing was a TKO victory.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoA veteran of the UFC who made his organizational debut at UFC 37 in 2002, Robbie Lawler (29-15) returns to action on Saturday and is looking to improve upon his recent run of only winning one contest in his last five bouts. His last contest was a TKO victory in September of last year. Ruthless has always been known for his dangerous striking, which has earned him knockout/TKO victories in 21 of his 29 career wins. DraftKings sees Lawler as the favorite with a salary of $8,500. Throughout his UFC career, Lawler averages 63.1 fantasy points per contest. His opponent, Bryan Barberena, has won back-to-back contests by decision and has come out victorious in three of his last four fights.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoWith his toughest task to date in front of him Saturday at International Fight Week for UFC 276, Sugar Sean O'Malley (15-1) battles Pedro Munhoz in the main-card opener. O'Malley has rebounded nicely from his loss to Chito Vera, going 3-0, with all three bouts ending by knockout/TKO. No doubt a dynamic striker, 10 of his 15 career wins have come via KO/TKO, including his last five straight wins. DraftKings sees Sugar as the second-biggest favorite on the night with a salary of $9,300. Throughout his UFC career, O'Malley averages 92.0 fantasy points per contest. This is no doubt his biggest test, though, and Munhoz is a veteran with deadly leg kicks.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoOn the most stacked card of the year, Pedro Munhoz (19-7) will open up the main card of International Fight Week in a battle with fan-favorite Sean O'Malley on Saturday. It has been a rough road of late for Munhoz, as he's lost four of his last five contests. His losses though have come against the very best in the division. With 19 professional wins in his career, 13 have come by the finish and nine of them have come via decision. DraftKings sees Munhoz as the underdog with a salary of $6,900, making him the night's second-biggest underdog. O'Malley has yet to face a fighter of Munhoz's caliber, so if you are looking for a big underdog, this might be your shot.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoAlthough he put forth a valiant effort, Arman Tsarukyan fell just short of earning a decision victory in his main-event showing against Mateusz Gamrot on Saturday. In 25 minutes of action, Tsarukyan tallied 95 significant strikes (110 total strikes) while stuffing 15 of Gamrot's 21 takedown tries. Tsarukyan entered the contest on a five-fight winning streak and has looked impressive thus far in the UFC. Let's keep an eye on his next matchup to see if the UFC sets him up with a rebound-type matchup.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN