Emily Ducote vs Jessica Penne Prediction: Can Ducote Match Penne's Experience at UFC on ABC 3?

Emily Ducote vs Jessica Penne Prediction: Can Ducote Match Penne's Experience at UFC on ABC 3?

UFC Fight Night Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

When: July 16

Time: 11:00 AM EDT

Where: UBS Arena, Elmont, NY

Where to Watch: ESPN & ESPN+

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Emily Ducote vs Jessica Penne Prediction

The opening clash between Invicta Queen Emily Ducote and Jessica Penne to kick off festivities leads to a lot to be desired, let me tell you what. On one hand, you have a scrappy newcomer making her way into the fray, taking on the aging but grizzled vet in Penne. On the other, you have on paper at least, just another extremely binary low-level women's showcase where the outcome is going to be as black and white as it gets.

It's no secret the UFC has been trying to excommunicate the dinosaur Penne for quite some time. From the instant, she got fed on an open platter unsuccessfully to Loopy Godinez, or when she was led out to pasture her last time going against fellow fossil fuel Karolina Kowakevitz, she has managed to overcome every trial by fire thrown her way and then some. 

It always takes two to tango in the UFC however, and this latest inferno by the promotion is no laughing matter. Reigning Invicta Strawweight champion Emily Ducote aims to renounce her hardware in favor of greener pastures, looking to all together disregard the gold in an attempt to seize an opportunity of a lifetime: headlining the first fight of the prelims. Now that the stakes have been laid out properly and the stage is officially set, who, or what wins this coming Saturday? 

Even though Penne has been looking like a million-dollar grandma in her last few goes of it, I feel like she has been successful in large part because of her competition's relatively small builds and poor grappling defense. Fighting the 5 foot 2 Ducote will be continuing the minuscule tradition no question, but this specific fighter has been fighting wrestlers nonstop in her route to the Invicta title.

Everything that Penne has to offer, Ducote has seen it probably 1000 times in the wrestling room. While I don't really want to play Ducote because of relatively high variance, instead I elect to bet the over as Ducote's rigorous preparation for the grappling combined with Penne's toughness and grit should protect both parties enough for a decision result. No matter how you slice it, play the over and be content you'll have some wiggle room before the card well and truly begins.

Emily Ducote vs Jessica Penne Pick

Bet - Emily Ducote over 2.5 -180 (Bet $180 to win $100)

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