3 years agoIn a less-than-stellar co-main-event bout, Carla Esparza recaptured the women's strawweight title by defeating Rose Namajunas via split decision (47-48, 46-49, 48-47) on Saturday. In 25 minutes of action, Esparza landed 30 significant strikes (only 1.2 significant strikes per minute) and only landed two of her 11 takedown tries on the night. This marks Esparza's second victory over Namajunas and her first time recapturing the title since being the division's inaugural champion. It's likely we see a rematch, and we are just as likely to see the same sort of fight between these two.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoHaving an impressive first round and scoring a flash knockdown in the first, it was not meant to be for Tony Ferguson, who was knocked out in the second round of action by Michael Chandler on Saturday. Through 5:17 of action, Ferguson landed 20 significant strikes (27 total strikes) while absorbing 43 total strikes. With the big knockout loss, Ferguson has now lost four fights in a row. It's hard to believe with four straight losses in such devastating fashion that Ferguson will return to the form that saw him as the division's interim champion.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoWith a potential knockout of the year, Michael Chandler put an exclamation point on his contest with long-time division star Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 on Saturday. In the second round of action, Chandler nailed a front kick that immediately floored Ferguson, ending the contest. In 5:17 of total action, Chandler tallied 27 significant strikes (43 total strikes) and landed his lone takedown attempt. Chandler has fought the absolute best of the division since joining the UFC. In his two UFC victories, both have come via big-time knockouts. Anytime you see Chandler on the fight card, he should receive plenty of consideration for fantasy lineups, regardless of his price tag.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoThe legendary Shogun Rua now has back-to-back losses after suffering his second career loss to Ovince St. Preux on Saturday, this time by split decision. The 40-year-old Brazilian landed 54 significant strikes in 15 minutes of action. Keeping it close throughout the contest, a stronger third round by St. Preux really sealed the deal against Rua. With the loss, Rua has now suffered three losses and a draw in his last six contests. More than likely, Rua's fantasy scoring days are behind him.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoThough by a different method, Ovince St. Preux scored another victory over the legendary Shogun Rua on the main card of UFC 274 on Saturday, this time by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 27-30). Through 15 minutes of action, St. Preux only tallied 62 significant strikes while absorbing 54 significant strikes. The contest was closely contested, with St. Preux having a strong third frame to close out the contest. After losing back-to-back fights in the heavyweight division by knockout, St. Preux had a nice return to light heavyweight by earning a victory. As long as St. Preux stays at light heavyweight, he has a chance to earn a victory for fantasy managers on fight night.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

3 years agoMaking weight, Justin Gaethje (23-3) has made himself eligible to win the UFC's lightweight championship Saturday in UFC 274's main event. With Charles Oliveira missing weight, he has been stripped of the title and is unable to win it. A fan favorite since Day 1, Gaethje has a very in-your-face style, which has won the hearts of fans across the world. He has won 18 of his 23 career victories by knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees the Highlight as the underdog with a salary of $7,700. Throughout his UFC career, Gaethje averages 82.2 fantasy points per contest. With a great wrestling game and deadly striking, all the cards seem to be lining up for Gaethje to win the championship.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

3 years agoMissing weight by half a pound, the reign of Charles Oliveira (32-8) has already ended before entering the Octagon, as he was stripped of his title before his main event bout against challenger Justin Gaethje. There is no doubt that Oliveira does most of his damage on the mat, with 20 of his 32 career wins coming by submission and another nine by knockout/TKO. On a 10-fight winning streak, Oliveira has beaten the very best the lightweight division has had to offer. DraftKings sees the former champion as the favorite with a salary of $8,500. Throughout his lengthy UFC career, Oliveira averages 71.4 fantasy points per contest. This will be a very close contest against Gathje, who has a sneaky good takedown defense game.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

3 years agoSince serving as the UFC strawweight division's first champion, Carla Esparza (18-6) has a chance in the co-main event of UFC 274 to recapture the title against Rose Namajunas on Saturday. A fighter who grinds out her opponent over the full length of the contest, 11 of Esparza's 18 career wins have come by decision. DraftKings sees the Cookie Monster as the big underdog with a salary of $7,300. Throughout her UFC career, Esparza averages 76.4 fantasy points per contest. It's likely we see this one go to a decision, which will probably favor Rose, who averages more strikes landed per contest.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

3 years agoSet for her second title defense after reclaiming the UFC strawweight championship, Rose Namajunas (11-4) will defend her crown against the division's very first champion in Carla Esparza in the co-main event of UFC 274 on Saturday. Seven of Namajunas' 11 career wins have come by a finish, with five of those via submission. Proving to be a fast starter, four of those finishes have come in the first round. DraftKings sees Thug Rose as the big favorite with a salary of $8,900. Throughout her UFC career, Rose averages 80.8 fantasy points per contest. With this bout probably set to go the full 25 minutes, Rose is the more active striker, averaging 4.01 significant strikes landed per minute, which may be the key to a decision win.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

3 years agoAfter winning 12 fights in a row, it has been a rough downhill spiral for Tony Ferguson (25-6), who has lost his last three bouts in a row. The former interim lightweight champion, known for his dangerous D'Arce choke, has actually won 14 of his 25 career victories by knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees El Cucuy as Saturday night's biggest underdog with a salary of $6,600. Throughout his lengthy UFC career, Ferguson averages 80.0 fantasy points per contest. Considering that Michael Chandler is hungry for a knockout and with Ferguson's recent slide, this might not be the best matchup for Ferguson.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

3 years agoNot wanting a three-fight losing streak in the organization's deepest division, Michael Chandler (22-7) will battle one of the division's best in Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 on Saturday night. Since joining the UFC, Chandler has only won one of his three contests. His victories are typically finishes, with 17 of his 22 career wins coming via the finish -- 10 by knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees Chandler as the night's biggest favorite with a salary of $9,600. Throughout his three UFC bouts, Chandler averages 58.7 fantasy points per contest. Facing an opponent that has been on a big downward spiral, this just might be the matchup Chandler needs for a big knockout win.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

3 years ago2-2-1 since 2018, the legendary Mauricio Shogun Rua (27-12-1) returns to action on the main card of UFC 274 when he faces Ovince St. Preux in a rematch of their 2014 bout. The former PRIDE champion is coming off of a loss by submission in November of 2020, and he would love to avenge that loss and his initial loss to St. Preux at UFC Fight Night 56. A dangerous finisher throughout his career, 22 of his 27 wins have come by finish, with 21 of those via TKO/knockout. DraftKings sees Rua as the big underdog with a salary of $7,000. Throughout his UFC career, he averages 80.9 fantasy points per contest. With both fighters aging over the last seven-plus years, it's likely we see a similar outcome, with both of Rua's recent losses coming by TKO/KO.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

3 years agoA rematch over seven years in the making, Ovince St. Preux (25-16) will look to recapture his amazing knockout win in their first contest when he faces Shogun Rua for the second time at UFC 274 on Saturday night. With a move up to heavyweight over the past few years, St. Preux will return to the light heavyweight division, where he enjoyed much of his career success. Throughout his career, 20 of his 25 wins have come by the finish, with 11 of those via knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees OSP as the big favorite with a salary of $9,200. Throughout his UFC career, St. Preux averages 62.4 fantasy points per contest.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

3 years agoSet to open the main card of UFC 274 on Saturday, Joe Lauzon (28-15) can earn his 29th professional victory with a win against Donald Cerrone. A finisher throughout his career, 26 of his 28 wins have come by the finish, with 18 of those via submission. On a three-fight losing streak, Lauzon defeated Jonathan Pearce in October of 2019 by first-round TKO. With a few years off, we shall see if that time allowed Lauzon to return to his younger form. DraftKings sees J-Lau as a sizeable underdog with a salary of $7,400. Throughout his UFC career, Lauzon averages 66.0 fantasy points per contest.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

3 years agoTied for first all-time in the UFC in wins, Donald Cerrone (36-16) is set to open up the main card of UFC 274 on Saturday against another veteran in Joe Lauzon. Cerrone is winless in his last six contests, though, with five defeats and a no-contest. Throughout his career overall, 27 of his 36 wins have come by the finish, with 17 of those via submission. It has been a rough go lately for Lauzon as well, with one win in his last four contests. DraftKings sees Cowboy as the favorite with a salary of $8,800. Throughout his UFC career, Cerrone averages 68.2 fantasy points per contest. Though it has been a rough road lately, this is a contest Cerrone has a chance to score plenty of points in.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC