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UFC 216: MMA Main Card Predictions and DFS Picks

What's up RotoBallers. In this column, I will be taking a look at the main card for UFC 216. 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: 154-76).

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 216.

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.

 

Beneil Dariush vs Evan Dunham

This is a fight that I’m having a difficult time predicting. Dunham has been extremely impressive in his last four fights, but they have been against lesser competition. He has struggled with high-end fighters in the past, but Dariush has struggled with a few of the same fighters. With that being said, I believe Dariush has indeed beat better competition than Dunham. Still, Dunham has elite cardio and relentless pressure. I believe the majority of this fight will play out on the feet, but each competitor has the potential for a takedown. If this is the case, Dunham will do enough to out-point his opponent this weekend.

Evan Dunham via Unanimous Decision

 

Mara Romero Borella vs Kalindra Faria

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why this fight is on the main card over some of the other matchups. Both fighters are well-rounded and enter their debuts with experience. Faria has seemingly fought the better competition, though, suffering losses to Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Jessica Aguilar, and Claudia Gadelha. While these were losses, the fight time against competitors of this level is invaluable. I feel Faria is simply the better fighter in this situation, and she should come out with the win.

Kalindra Faria via Unanimous Decision

 

Fabricio Werdum vs Derrick Lewis

Imagine having the best heavyweight guard in the UFC, but seeing Lewis relentlessly throwing heavy ground and pound from the top position. Insert Werdum. That will essentially negate this part of his game. Werdum has decent takedown potential, but Lewis has been the type of fighter to put his hand on the ground and stand up when taken down. That is a questionable tactic against a submission grappler like Werdum, but if Lewis can keep this fight standing, he has the advantage. Werdum has displayed questionable fight IQ, plus it is fair to wonder if his chin will be able to hold up against Lewis’ heavy hands. I don’t believe that will be the case.

Derrick Lewis, TKO, 1st Round

 

Demetrious Johnson vs Ray Borg

I’ve already written this fight up and nothing has changed. Because of that, I will keep this short and sweet because you likely have already read what I believe. Johnson is the better striker and has better grappling. Borg could catch him because of his ability to finish fighters, but Johnson has faced tougher tests before. He will come out victorious, but it will be interesting to see how he wins this fight.

Demetrious Johnson, TKO, 4th Round

 

Tony Ferguson vs Kevin Lee

It is crazy to me that these two are fighting for the “belt.” Ferguson is on a ridiculous nine fight winning streak, finishing six of those fights. He has not lost since 2012 against Michael Johnson. Kevin Lee, on the other hand, is on a five fight winning streak, but lost to Leonardo Santos as recently as 2015. Both fighters have been extremely impressive recently, which should make for a great matchup. Lee relies heavily on wrestling, though, and Ferguson enters this fight with elite defensive wrestling. If this fight plays out on the feet, Ferguson will have the clear advantage. It’s tough to assume that Lee will not do everything in his power to get the fight to the ground, though. Ferguson has already stated that he is going to submit Lee, and quite frankly, I believe him. He is so unorthodox with multiple ways to finish this fight. It is going to be difficult for Lee to face this step up in competition without leaving open an opportunity for Ferguson to pull out the victory.

Tony Ferguson, Submission, 3rd Round




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