UFC Fight Night Prop Picks & Parlay: Rolling With Miranda Maverick
UFC Fight Night Prop Picks & Parlay: Rolling With Miranda Maverick
With the UFC in full swing throughout 2021, we here at OddsChecker will be looking to have you covered when it comes to betting on MMA. As a longtime martial arts analyst and gambler, I'll be providing you with everything from technical analysis to my favorite lines in the form of parlays, props, and more for upcoming fight cards.
Last week's sheet was yet another winner, as I'll be looking to keep the ball rolling here...
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw Main Event
The main event on ESPN features a fun bantamweight banger between Cory Sandhagen (-190) and T.J. Dillashaw (+155).
Although I don't disagree with who is favored, I do warn anyone who is overly confident in Sandhagen to roll past Dillashaw in this spot. Not only is there a minefield of intangibles that range from ring rust to positive drug tests, but the two are also former training partners.
I'm semi-reluctantly picking Dillashaw to follow past trends of wrestling when posed with tall strikers or strong body punchers, as I suspect the smaller octagon assists his efforts from a stylistic standpoint. But if Dillashaw comes out looking rusty or gets stuck in prolonged exchanges standing, then expect Sandhagen to pick apart the former champ by the mid-point of the fight.
For that reason, I suspect looking at unders if you're in search of plus-money angles that favor Sandhagen. Or, if you also like Dillashaw, then I suggest either sticking to the moneyline or going contrarian by sprinkling on "Dillashaw by decision" at +600.
UFC Fight Night Straight Play/Parlay Piece
Despite initially opening as an underdog to Maycee Barber, public money has flipped the betting lines, making Miranda Maverick your favorite. And akin to last week's play on Miesha Tate, this is another spot where I'll be backing the line movement.
Even on a two-fight skid, there is still a lot of love and hype for Barber. That said, I still don't feel that it's warranted, nor do I like the matchup at hand.
Maverick is a much cleaner and competent striker than Barber on the feet, as I see her straight shots from the southpaw stance beating Barber's looping punches. Barber does have solid elbows off the break and enough raw power to sting Maverick, but I'm not sure she has much of a shot at winning beyond that.
Not only is Maverick the better on-paper grappler who will be but a level-change away from completely changing the complexion of this fight, but she also seems to carry a physical and psychological durability that I see serving her well in this spot.
Add in camp changes and other red flags from the Barber side, and Maverick makes for one of my more confident plays on this card. And if you, too, are confident in Maverick, then feel free to add Sijara Eubanks (-355) for a nice two-leg parlay at +116.
UFC Fight Night Underdog Play
Similar to last week's play on Billy Quarantillo, I find myself, once again, backing an underdog who will fight tooth and nail for your money.
Like Quarantillo, Darren Elkins was initially opened as the favorite until the public came in to fade him pre-fight. But unlike the previous play, I disagree with the public money here, as I'll be backing the old dog in Elkins for one last successful ride into the sunset.
Elkins' opponent, Darrick Minner, is an experienced fighter in his own right that is currently going through a bit of a career renaissance under the care of James Krause. However, despite looking better against Charles Rosa in his last outing, I still suspect that Minner is the same fighter at heart.
A do-or-die submission artist on the regional scene, Minner has only one win via strikes on his record. But Elkins, even at this stage of his career, is incredibly difficult to stop, as Charles Oliveira is still the only man to ever submit him. For that reason, I'll side with the better wrestler inside of the small cage at plus money.
Regardless of what you're betting, good luck and bet responsibly, my friends!
If you'd like more of my analysis, feel free to check out my weekly show, The Protect Ya' Neck Podcast.