2 years agoAnother victim of Khamzat Chimaev missing weight and delivering a backstage debacle was welterweight Li Jingliang, who was given a huge co-main-event spotlight to face Tony Ferguson. Instead, Jingliang was moved down to the third fight from the top against a middleweight in Daniel Rodriguez. Though Jingliang only suffered a split-decision loss, he fought hard against Rodriguez and landed 78 significant strikes and his lone takedown try on the night. Though he has losses in two of his last three bouts now, they have come against Chimaev and this close encounter with Rodriguez.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoAfter a backstage scuffle nixed the UFC 279 presser and the drama of a main-eventer missing weight by a big margin, a three-fight shuffle took place, which caused Daniel Rodriguez to meet Li Jingliang on Saturday. In 15 minutes of close action, Rodriguez was able to squeeze out the split-decision win (28-29, 29-28, 28-29). Rodriguez was also able to earn the slight striking edge by landing 88 significant strikes, compared to that of Jingliang's 78. Rodriguez was the much bigger fighter, normally competing at middleweight, while Jingliang competes as a welterweight. The win gives Rodriguez four in a row, and hopefully we can see him compete against a big name like Kevin Holland in a proper fight build-up.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoIn a close contest that saw Macy Chiasson standing over her foe on the main card of UFC 279 on Saturday, an upkick to her liver by Irene Aldana would bring a sudden and unexpected stop to the action. In 7:21 of total action in the 140-pound catchweight matchup, Chiasson tallied 39 significant strikes (72 total strikes) to hold the striking edge over Aldana. After a takedown by Chiasson, Aldana remained on her back and landed a perfectly placed liver kick just as Chiasson walked into the striking zone. Chiasson has now suffered finishing losses in two of her last three contests.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoWe have seen the damage a liver shot can cause in competition, but we have yet to see it work in this fashion. On Saturday's main card of action at UFC 279, Irene Aldana nailed a perfectly placed upkick to the liver to instantly finish opponent Macy Chiasson. In 7:21 of total action, Aldana landed 37 significant strikes (51 total strikes) and was actually out-struck by Chiasson. After a Chiasson takedown in the second round, Aldana delivered the devastating liver kick, sending Chiasson to the mat and leading the referee to call a stop to the 140-pound catchweight battle.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoComing off of a first-round submission, you would think Ion Cutelaba would be finished the same way again, right? Cutelaba was unable to shake it and found himself locked in a rear-naked choke in the first round of his UFC 279 main-card opener against Johnny Walker on Saturday. In 4:37 of action, Cutelaba only tallied three significant strikes and spent half of the matchup in the control of Walker. In his last six Octagon appearances, Cutelaba has only been on the winning end once. As long as he faces an opponent with any kind of ground game or submission game, look for Cutelaba to be on the end of a potential finish every time.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoWith losses in four of his last five contests entering UFC 279 on Saturday, Johnny Walker was in dire need of a big victory to regain any foothold he had in the light-heavyweight division. Walker did just that, opening up the main card with a first-round submission win over a tough opponent in Ion Cutelaba. In 4:37 of total action, Walker tallied only three significant strikes but locked in over two minutes of control time with three submission attempts. As long as Walker is not facing the very top tier of the division, it's possible we see more performances like this out of him.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoNate Diaz (20-13) has been a part of the UFC since 2007, when he appeared on TUF 5. Since then, Diaz has assumed the title of fan favorite and is known for spectacular submissions and hard-nosed fights. In the main event of UFC 279 against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev on Saturday, Diaz can ride off into retirement and derail a hype train. He's hoping for a replay of his first contest with Conor McGregor, where he scored a victory as the huge underdog. DraftKings sees Diaz as the night's biggest underdog, in fact, with a salary of $6,600. Throughout his UFC career, Diaz averages 78.4 fantasy points per contest. Diaz should never be counted out, regardless of the odds stacked against him.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoOne of the sport's hottest rising stars returns to action, this time in the main event of UFC 279 on Saturday when Khamzat Chimaev (11-0) faces future Hall of Famer Nate Diaz. Chimaev has blown up on the UFC scene, running through all of his competition. He proved his toughness and durability in his last outing by defeating Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision. DraftKings sees Chimaev as the night's biggest favorite with a salary of $9,600. Throughout his UFC career, Chimaev averages 118.1 fantasy points per contest. Chimaev must be careful, as Diaz has proven time and time again he can pull out a submission victory over favored opponents. If this goes to the mat, Chimaev must get out of the situation or we could have another Conor McGregor/Diaz moment.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoThe last couple of years, both in and out of the Octagon, have been tough for former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson (25-7), but he finds himself with a huge rebound opportunity Saturday when he steps into the cage at welterweight in the co-main event of UFC 279. Winless in his last four outings, maybe the shift to welterweight can be a fresh start for the 38-year-old. Few can do it better than Ferguson when he's on, as 20 of his 25 career wins have come by finish, with 11 of via knockout/TKO. His opponent, Li Jingliang, is a dangerous rising welterweight, but Ferguson can never be counted out. DraftKings sees Ferguson as a big underdog with a salary of $7,200. Throughout his UFC career, Ferguson averages 76.5 fantasy points per contest.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoChina Top Team's Li Jingliang (19-7) has slowly been making his way up the UFC's welterweight ladder and will have a huge opportunity in the co-main event of UFC 279 against a former lightweight champion to continue that rise on Saturday. Jingliang has won two of his last three fights, with his loss coming to main-event phenom Khamzat Chimaev. With major finishing ability, 14 of his 19 career wins, including eight of his 13 UFC wins, have come by the finish, with nine of them coming via knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees Jingliang as the big favorite over Tony Ferguson with a salary of $9,000. Throughout his UFC career, Jingliang averages 74.6 fantasy points per contest.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoDaniel Rodriguez (16-2) has a huge opportunity to make waves in the UFC's welterweight division when he faces Kevin Holland, potentially his toughest task to date, on Saturday. Rodriguez has displayed finishing ability throughout his career, with 12 of his 16 wins coming via the finish -- eight via knockout/TKO. Three of his six UFC wins have also come by way of finish. DraftKings sees Rodriguez as the underdog, though, with a salary of $7,500. Throughout his UFC career, Rodriguez averages 93.1 fantasy points per contest. Out-striking Holland by over four significant strikes per minute, Rodriguez absolutely has a chance to pull off the main card's big upset.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoAfter back-to-back losses for the first time in his UFC career, Kevin Holland (23-7) has turned it around by winning back-to-back matchups in his last two appearances. With 2022 being a much better year for Holland, both of his victories have come by finish, one by knockout/TKO and one by D'Arce choke. DraftKings sees Holland as the sizeable favorite over Daniel Rodriguez on Saturday with a salary of $8,700. Throughout his UFC career, Holland averages 77.0 fantasy points per contest. Rodriguez is on a three-fight winning streak, but it has been over year since his last bout, and the level of competition is definitely a step down from Holland.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoLouisiana-born Macy Chiasson (8-2) will step onto the main-card stage of UFC 279 on Saturday against an extremely tough opponent in dangerous striker Irene Aldana. With the majority of her professional career taking place in the UFC (6-2), Chiasson has experience against dangerous foes. The TUF 28 winner has earned finishes in half of her professional victories. DraftKings sees Chiasson as the big underdog on Saturday with a salary of $7,400. She may not be able to hang with Aldana's striking, but if this contest goes to the mat at any point, Chiasson has the ability to make it a quick night.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoWomen will take to the main stage of UFC 279 on Saturday, when Irene Aldana (13-6) steps into the Octagon looking to earn back-to-back wins and her fourth win in five contests. Aldana has proven to be a dangerous finisher, with 10 of her 13 career wins coming via the finish -- seven coming by knockout/TKO. Aldana averages almost two more significant strikes landed per minute than her opponent, Maci Chiasson, and she will need to remain a very active striker to stay off of the ground against Chiasson. DraftKings sees Aldana as the big favorite with a salary of $8,800. Throughout her UFC career, she averages 70.1 fantasy points per contest.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoWith only one win since 2019, Ion Cutelaba (16-7-1) will look to rebound from his most recent outing when he faces Johnny Walker in the main-card opener at light heavyweight on Saturday. A dangerous striker like his opponent, 12 of Cutelaba's 16 career wins have come by knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees Cutelaba as the sizeable favorite with a salary of $8,600. Throughout his UFC career, Cutelaba averages 63.5 fantasy points per contest. Cutelaba was caught in a submission while being aggressive in his last matchup, so look for him to be a bit more composed, which should work in his favor.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC