By: Dylan Smith
Locks
These are the picks in your lineup that have a higher price tag but also have a high chance of winning and producing a finish that makes it worth it. You want to use these picks as the "anchor" of your lineups.
Fabricio Werdum ($10,700)
The former UFC heavyweight champion will take on Travis Browne in the co-main event in a rematch from 2014 where Werdum dominated Browne in a 5 round decision victory. Werdum was originally expected to fight resurgent heavyweight Ben Rothwell who was forced out of the fight due to injury and replaced by Browne. Browne faces a major uphill battle taking the fight on short notice after suffering a brutal loss to Cain Velasquez at UFC 200. This fight sets up nicely for Werdum because as he showed in the first fight against Browne, he possesses an advantage anywhere the fight goes. Werdum will look to avoid the power shots of Browne in the early going and try to wear the big man down with his ever improving Muay Thai. I think if he can weather the initial storm of Brown then Werdum will succeed in controlling the fight and will look to make a statement with a finish to cement his status as the top heavyweight contender.
Prediction: Werdum by Submission rd 2
Yancy Medeiros ($10,500)
Fabricio Werdum ($10,700)
The former UFC heavyweight champion will take on Travis Browne in the co-main event in a rematch from 2014 where Werdum dominated Browne in a 5 round decision victory. Werdum was originally expected to fight resurgent heavyweight Ben Rothwell who was forced out of the fight due to injury and replaced by Browne. Browne faces a major uphill battle taking the fight on short notice after suffering a brutal loss to Cain Velasquez at UFC 200. This fight sets up nicely for Werdum because as he showed in the first fight against Browne, he possesses an advantage anywhere the fight goes. Werdum will look to avoid the power shots of Browne in the early going and try to wear the big man down with his ever improving Muay Thai. I think if he can weather the initial storm of Brown then Werdum will succeed in controlling the fight and will look to make a statement with a finish to cement his status as the top heavyweight contender.
Prediction: Werdum by Submission rd 2
Yancy Medeiros ($10,500)
Medeiros comes into the fight 1-2 in his last three. Although he has shown to be inconsistent in his UFC career thus far, one thing is for sure, Medeiros comes to put on a show. He is taking on Texas native Sean Spencer who has been quite shaky in his own UFC career but similar to Medeiros has put on some exciting fights along the way. This has fight of the night potential written all over it and whichever way you go I think you will want one of the fighters in your lineup. I think Medeiros will win because he has the more well rounded skill set and isn't afraid to take chances in the octagon and has proven he can finish opponents with his slick BJJ skills. Medeiros will likely get in some wild exchanges with Spencer but I think will eventually turn to his grappling advantage to win him the fight and look to sink in a submission early in the fight.
Prediction: Medeiros by Submission
CB Dollaway ($10,900)
CB Dollaway comes into this fight with his back against the wall after losing his past three in a row. He will be facing Francimar Barroso who is 3-2 in his UFC career. I think Dollaway should be able to dominate this fight as long as he can avoid the big shots from Barroso in the early portion. Dollaway usually only loses to the elite of the divison and shines against unranked opponents. I think he has more tools to win this fight and I expect him to win using his underrated striking and perhaps score his first finish since 2014.
Prediction: Dollaway by TKO
Value Plays
These are picks who have a lower price tag and could go under owned in games due to unfavorable odds or public perception. These picks can make or break your lineup.
Joanna Calderwood ($9,500)
Calderwood takes on Jessica Andrade in a battle of contenders looking to cement themselves at the top of the division. Calderwood has been on a tear lately and has really shown her improvements in her overall skill set in her past two fights. Although she is an underdog, I think she will present some problems for Andrade with her striking and use her reach advantage to fight from a distance and avoid the takedowns and clinch work of Andrade. I'm looking for JoJo to use her Muay Thai to lead her to victory and extend her winning streak to three fights in a row in what should be a exciting women's strawweight fight.
Prediction: Calderwood by TKO
After losing his title bid against arch rival Dominick Cruz, Urijah Faber looks to get back in the win column against UFC youngster Jimmie Rivera. Faber always shines his brightest in non title fights and I think he will get back on track with another signature win against Rivera. Rivera is a wildcard in this fight as he has a fast pace unpredictable style, however I think the experience of Faber will prove to be to much for Rivera. I think Faber will look to get settled in the fight and once he finds his opening will attack a choke and add another submission victory to his resume.
Prediction: Faber by submission
Stipe Miocic ($10,000)
The reigning UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will have the entire city of Cleveland cheering him on as he attempts to defend his title for the first time against dangerous Dutch striker Alastair Overeem. Fighting in his own backyard I think Stipe has all the motivation in the world to put on a show for the Cleveland faithful. It won't be easy as Overeem is probably the best striker Miocic has ever faced but I think he has shown he can create a gameplan and execute it during the fight like he did against Mark Hunt. Stipe's biggest weapon in this fight is his cardio, he has shown he can go all day and will look to test the tank of Overeem and use some grappling and takedowns to keep the Dutchmen guessing and not allow him to get comfortable on the feet. This fight could go down as an instant classic in the heart of Cleveland and I think Stipe will put a stamp on his title run and add to his already impressive resume.
Prediction: Miocic by TKO
Urijah Faber ($9,700)
Jessica Eye ($10,100)
Stipe Miocic ($10,000)
Joanna Calderwood ($9,500)
Fabricio Werdum ($10,700)
Joanna Calderwood ($9,500)
Calderwood takes on Jessica Andrade in a battle of contenders looking to cement themselves at the top of the division. Calderwood has been on a tear lately and has really shown her improvements in her overall skill set in her past two fights. Although she is an underdog, I think she will present some problems for Andrade with her striking and use her reach advantage to fight from a distance and avoid the takedowns and clinch work of Andrade. I'm looking for JoJo to use her Muay Thai to lead her to victory and extend her winning streak to three fights in a row in what should be a exciting women's strawweight fight.
Prediction: Calderwood by TKO
Urijah Faber ($9,700)
After losing his title bid against arch rival Dominick Cruz, Urijah Faber looks to get back in the win column against UFC youngster Jimmie Rivera. Faber always shines his brightest in non title fights and I think he will get back on track with another signature win against Rivera. Rivera is a wildcard in this fight as he has a fast pace unpredictable style, however I think the experience of Faber will prove to be to much for Rivera. I think Faber will look to get settled in the fight and once he finds his opening will attack a choke and add another submission victory to his resume.
Prediction: Faber by submission
Stipe Miocic ($10,000)
The reigning UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will have the entire city of Cleveland cheering him on as he attempts to defend his title for the first time against dangerous Dutch striker Alastair Overeem. Fighting in his own backyard I think Stipe has all the motivation in the world to put on a show for the Cleveland faithful. It won't be easy as Overeem is probably the best striker Miocic has ever faced but I think he has shown he can create a gameplan and execute it during the fight like he did against Mark Hunt. Stipe's biggest weapon in this fight is his cardio, he has shown he can go all day and will look to test the tank of Overeem and use some grappling and takedowns to keep the Dutchmen guessing and not allow him to get comfortable on the feet. This fight could go down as an instant classic in the heart of Cleveland and I think Stipe will put a stamp on his title run and add to his already impressive resume.
Prediction: Miocic by TKO
DraftKings Lineup
Urijah Faber ($9,700)
Jessica Eye ($10,100)
Stipe Miocic ($10,000)
Joanna Calderwood ($9,500)
Fabricio Werdum ($10,700)
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