SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 223 GAMBLING GUIDE

Once banned in big apple, New York welcomes another UFC event with open arms - and what a card it is! After all the noise being made by Tony Ferguson he has unfortunately had to pull out due to injury. All is not lost as the unstoppable Max Holloway has stepped in to save the day. On only 6 days notice does he have a plan that will work against Khabib’s grappling? Can Rose Namajunas take out JJ again? How many times will the commentators slip up on surnames? Read on...

MAIN CARD
Max Holloway Vs Khabib Nurmagomedov (LW)
With Conor McGregor still no closer to an official comeback date it is time for Max Holloway to face the wrestling of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Holloway is a super talented fighter that has been on a roll of epic proportions in the last couple of years. He falls in to the category of an elite all rounder but it is ‘Blessed’s’ hands that have proven to be his best weapon. Will Khabib struggle against a new opponent? Probably not because even when you take all of the factors discussed in to consideration, the likely outcome is a grappling storm victory.
WINNER: Nurmagomedov
METHOD: Decision

Rose Namajunas (c) Vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk (STRAW)
Nobody (including us) expected ‘Thug Rose’ to not only take the belt but take out JJ in the first round, crushing a 14 fight unbeaten streak, of their November 2017 bout. JJ tasted defeat and she absolutely hated it. Fans will be keen to see if the Polish superstar will keep up the bad girl image or whether it will be 100% business this time. Namajunas has always had the heart of a champion but is much more developed as a fighter now. This is such a hard one to call and we have changed our mind more than once that’s for sure but Namajunas could well be JJ’s kryponite. Time will tell.
WINNER: Namajunas
METHOD: Submission

Calvin Kattar Vs Renato Moicano (FW)
Moicano‘s only defeat was at the hands of the unstoppable Brian Ortega. Up until then he’d been pretty solid performance wise. Facing a Boston native will mean the crowd won’t be on his side but that shouldn’t matter with the outcome.
WINNER: Moicano
METHOD: Decision

Michael Chiesa Vs Anthony Pettis (LW)
Both fighters are coming off losses which can often result in a cautious fight. Bearing in mind Pettis isn’t the fighter he once was and tends to verge on the side of caution of late meaning this one could go the distance. Chiesa is prone to cuts, and may come back to haunt him should the doctors step in.
WINNER: Pettis
METHOD: KO/TKO

Al Iaquinta Vs Paul Felder (LW)
Possibly our most favoured bout on the whole card. This one has fireworks written all over it. Both fighters have granite chins but Felder has looked like a man on a mission in recent outings.
WINNER: Felder
METHOD: KO/TKO

PRELIM CARD (Fox Sport 1)
Karolina Kowalkiewicz Vs Felice Herrig (STRAW)
A very tough bout to call. If Herrig can score at least a few successful takedowns this might just be enough to get the judges approval.
WINNER: Herrig
METHOD: Decision

Ray Borg Vs Brandon Moreno (FLY)
Sorry guys, but this will be one of the many on this card that will go the distance. Moreno looked like a potential contender but didn’t produce the goods last time. He’ll be looking to bounce back in style against the former title contender. He won’t but might just get the split decision.
WINNER: Moreno
METHOD: Decision

Joe Lauzon Vs Chris Gruetzemacher (LW)
Potentially a loser leaves town match, maybe not so much for Lauzon who might be given one more chance if he loses here. The MMA veteran really has to pull it out the bag here but has looked very poor lately.
WINNER: Lauzon
METHOD: KO/TKO

Bec Rawlings Vs Ashlee Evans-Smith (FLY)
Yet another tough one to call! Neither have really set the octagon alight during their time in the UFC or managed a significant title. The runner up in this one will definitely be shown the door.
WINNER: Evans-Smith
METHOD: Decision

PRELIMS (UFC Fight Pass)
Alex Caceres Vs Artem Lobov (FW)
Being one of Conor McGregors friends might not be enough to save the bacon of Artem Lobov if he can’t scrape a win against ‘Bruce Leeroy’. It’s not going to be easy but his work rate should get him the nod.
WINNER: Lobov
METHOD: Decision

Evan Dunham Vs Mairbek Taisumov (LW)
Seasoned veteran Evan Dunham has his work cut out against an athlete who has smoked his last five opponents. Thanks for your service Evan.
WINNER: Taisumov
METHOD: KO/TKO

Zabit Magomed Sharipov Vs Kyle Bochniak (FW)
Russian native Sharipov is building up some decent momentum and shouldn’t have too many problems against Bochniak.
WINNER: Sharipov
METHOD: Submission

Devin Clark Vs Mike Rodriguez (LHW)
Rodriguez makes his UFC debut on the back of four 1st round knockouts. We expect him to add another.
WINNER: Rodriguez
METHOD: KO/TKO