What's up RotoBallers. In this column, I will be taking a look at the main card for UFC 212. 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: 115-56).
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 UFC 212.
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.
Erick Silva vs Yancy Medeiros
This fight is a way to start the main card off with a bang. Silva is a finish or be finished type of fighter, while the same can be said for Medeiros. Medeiros recently displayed an elite chin against Francisco Trinaldo, which could spell trouble for Silva. Medeiros has great takedown defense, and the majority of this fight will likely take place on the feet. In that case, Medeiros is the more active and powerful striker. He should be able to wear down Silva throughout the fight before finding a late finish.
Yancy Medeiros via TKO, 3rd Round
Paulo Borrachinha vs Oluwale Bamgbose
Don’t blink during this fight or you will likely miss a highlight reel knockout. Borrachinha has never gotten out of the first round in a fight, while Bamgbose has only been out of the first round once. Both fighters come with elite power, but Borrachinha impressed in his only fight in the UFC. Bamgbose, on the other hand, has a 1-2 record in the UFC, although he has fought better competition. Still, this is a showcase fight for Borrachinha in Brazil, and he will be able to add another knockout to his resume this weekend.
Paulo Borrachinha via TKO, 1st Round
Vitor Belfort vs Nate Marquardt
This is another fight that will likely only last a couple of minutes before someone is knocked out. Belfort and Marquardt are two fighters nearing the end of their careers. They have both struggled recently, and they have both been prone to knockouts. It’s anyone’s guess as to who will land the knockout shot, but Belfort is still the faster fighter at this point in their careers. He’s the pick, but with very little confidence.
Vitor Belfort via TKO, 1st Round
Claudia Gadelha vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz
This is an interesting matchup. Gadelha and Kowalkiewicz have 24 combined wins in their professional careers to go along with three total losses. Each of the three losses came at the hands of Joanna Jedrzejczyk, though. Gadelha is going to want to turn this fight into a grappling match, while Kowalkiewicz will have a slight advantage on the feet. I’m not sold Kowalkiewicz is going to be able to keep this fight standing, and Gadelha should be able to pick up the decision win with a few takedowns.
Claudia Gadelha via Unanimous Decision
Jose Aldo vs Max Holloway
Holloway is entering this fight with loads of confidence, as he’s currently on a 10 fight win streak. Aldo is coming off an impressive, but somewhat questionable win after getting knocked out by Conor McGregor. This fight will likely stay standing, and Holloway should be able to give Aldo fits similarly to the way Frankie Edgar did in Aldo’s last fight. Quite a few people felt Aldo lost that fight, and it would be surprising to see Holloway, who is entering the prime of his career, outworked by an aging Aldo for five rounds.
Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision