Anthony Mazziotti
Crazy times we live in, right?
With basketball, hockey, soccer, baseball and NASCAR cancelling events left and right due to the COVID-19 pandemic (and rightfully so) the only live event left standing is tonight’s UFC matchup headlined by Kevin Lee and Charles Oliveira.
While this event doesn’t hold the gravitas as Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone or last weekend’s fight between Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero, it’s all we have right now. For those looking to get their sports betting fix this sure as hell beats betting on English Darts.
Without further ado, here are the plays I like in tonight’s lightweight matchup.
Demian Maia (+145) vs. Gilbert Burns (-182)
Burns is riding high, winning his last four fights and Maia has found another groove after winning his last three after losing to a red-hot Kamaru Usman.
Maia is a technician on the ground with 11 submissions in the UFC while Burns has shown knockout power with three in his UFC career.
If I were betting this fight, I’d take Maia to win by submission or knockout at +565 odds. If you prefer the striker over the grappler Burns to knockout or submit Maia is going off at +225. Personally, I’d take Maia. When he’s on, he’s on.
Kevin Lee (-155) vs. Charles Oliveira (+125)
This is as close to a pick-’em as they come.
Kevin Lee rode a five fight win streak into his fight against Tony Ferguson for the interim-lightweight belt. Since that fight he’s 2-2 with losses to Al Iaquinta and Rafael dos Anjos. He did get back in the win column with a KO win over Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244.
Charles Oliveira, on the other hand, is riding a six fight win streak since losing to Philly’s own Paul Felder in 2017. Worth noting, Oliveira has won his past six by stoppage, four submissions two knockouts.
Lee to win by knockout, submission or DQ is going off at +115 while Oliveira to win by knockout, submission or DQ is going off at +160. On the flip side, the fight to go the distance is running at +270.
This fight is bound to be entertaining, both guys are fun to watch on their feet and have decent ground game too. I’m leaning slightly toward Oliveira. Lee’s a good fighter, don’t get me wrong, but Oliveira does a lot of things well and he’s been around the block a few times. I’d take his money line.
With sports betting at a minimum tonight’s UFC event is a must watch. If you or someone you know has ESPN+ the preliminary fights start 6 p.m.. Odds are a plenty on the Draft Kings sportsbook app.
You can follow Anthony Mazziotti on Twitter (@AntMazziotti) and e-mail him at [email protected].
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