WeBeatTheSpread's Premium Justin Tafa vs. Austen Lane UFC Fight Night Pick

WeBeatTheSpread's Premium Justin Tafa vs. Austen Lane UFC Fight Night Pick

There's only one heavyweight fight on Saturday night's UFC card, and it is a showdown between two newer UFC fighters. Although Austen Lane is 35 years old, he is making his debut on Saturday night, while Tafa is still only 29 with some UFC fights under his belt already. Tafa is a sizeable favorite to win the fight at -175, but there is a way to knock the juice down in this bout.

At 29 years old, Australian kickboxer Justin "Bad Man" Tafa is looking to make a name for himself in the heavyweight division. With a record of 6-3, Tafa's six wins have all come by knockout, showcasing his devastating power. Tafa joined the UFC early in his professional career after only three fights. Although he initially struggled with a 1-3 record in the UFC, he has rebounded with two consecutive first-round knockout victories. Tafa's southpaw style, combined with his surprising agility for his size, makes him a formidable opponent inside the Octagon for as long as his cardio holds up.

Entering the fight with a professional record of 12-3, Austen Lane, a former NFL defensive end, is set to make his UFC debut. Lane's journey to the UFC included two appearances on Dana White's Contender Series, with his first resulting in a first-round knockout loss. However, he bounced back in his second appearance, securing a first-round finish against Richard Jacobi. Lane's fighting style leans heavily on his power-packed punches, often relying on repetitive left-right combinations while charging forward. Although his striking can be potent, his limited skills and ground game pose significant holes for him. His best advantage is his natural athleticism, which is told by his tenure in the NFL.

With both fighters boasting a remarkable finishing rate, this clash guarantees fireworks inside the octagon. While Lane's athleticism and power cannot be overlooked, his lack of versatility and questionable ground game could prove to be his downfall. On the other hand, Tafa's technical skills and more experience in the UFC give him the edge in this matchup.

This is a classic heavyweight matchup where the first fighter to land a big shot could end the fight early. The longer the fight goes, the more openings there will be for Lane to win. I favor Tafa early in the fight while he can still be light on his feet and set up the fight-ending combination. Tafa is just a few steps ahead at this point in his career and he should be able to knock Lane out. I faded Tafa in his last two fights, and he has actually looked like he's improving nicely, so I'm not fading him again. Give me Tafa by knockout to lower the juice.

Pick: Justin Tafa by KO/TKO -110 (Bet $100 to collect $190) FanDuel has the best odds