After a full year-long roller coaster, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will cross the 2020 finish line this Saturday (December 19, 2020) with a bevy of exciting games. In the UFC Vegas 17 main event, Geoff Neal will be looking to continue his rise through the Welterweight levels against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, while Jose Aldo looks for the first win He has a bantamweight against Marlon Vera. UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, will also host Welterweight slobber striker Michel Pereira pitting against Khaos Williams and a clash between Bantamweight rivals Marlon Moraes and Rob Font.
It’s an exciting journey to say the least, Maniacs … now we’ll see if we can’t finish 2020 on a high note.
What went wrong UFC 256?
Well, Virna almost pulled Jandiroba off. Despite winning the second round against Mackenzie Dern and starting a strong third, she eventually went down the field, and that lost her. Making it easy this week would ensure more overall profit than last year, but where is the fun? We get dangerous …
UFC Vegas 17 Odds for the card under:
Taila Santos (-115) vs. Gillian Robasdan (-105)
Sijara Eubanks (-160) vs Pannie Kianzad (+140)
Karl Roberson (-255) vs Dalcha Lungiambula (+215)
Antonio Arroyo (-155) vs Deron Winn (+135)
Drako Rodriguez (-190) vs Aiemann Zahabi (+165)
Tafon Nchukwi (-300) vs Jamie Pickett (+250)
Jimmy Flick (-150) vs Cody Durden (+130)
Rick Glenn (-325) vs Carlton Minus (+265)
Thoughts: Pannie Kianzad looks like a steady underdog investment, while Jimmy Flick is hugely popular.
A bet on Kianzad is 50 percent the result of critical thinking and 50 percent to see if my complete inability to predict Eubanks fights proves it is harmful. Kianzad has a strong takedown defense and a good combination punching that Bethe Correia would use to put three fights back for the Eubanks.
Worth a look, anyway.
While Cody Durden is a better keeper than Flick, it’s hard to get out when it comes to the real game of the ground. Flick’s application skills are top of the line, and Durden is so reliant on his tails that he inevitably ends up in a disgraceful exchange with the much more familiar “Brick” .
Bank on.
UFC Vegas 17 Odds for main card:
Geoff Neal (-120) vs Stephen Thompson (EVEN)
Jose Aldo (-145) vs Marlon Vera (+125)
Michel Pereira (-125) vs Khaos Williams (+105)
Marlon Moraes (-145) vs Rob Font (+125)
Greg Hardy (-120) vs. Marcin Tybura (EVEN)
Anthony Pettis (-230) vs Alex Morono (+190)
Thoughts: This is now where the meat is. Stephen Thompson, Michel Pereira, Marcin Tybura and Anthony Pettis are worth noting.
Geoff Neal is a very promising competitor with a win over some very capable Welterweights. He also hasn’t fought in a year, he’s coming off a lump of congenital heart failure, and he’s facing the best striker he’s ever seen. “Wonderboy” has something left in the tank, and I love winning a competitive kickboxing battle.
Pereira ‘s big win over Zelim Imadaev was as close to high – class as you can get, and as dangerous as Williams has proven to be, he’ s size, strength, incredible mix and “Demolidor” ground game look like hard counters to his brawling power. In short, don’t be subtle – Pereira is nothing but a trustee – just put it down a bit.
Tybura turned in one of his best performances to date against Ben Rothwell, and if he shows that kind of form again, it ‘s far too much for Hardy. Tybur’s image has both the trick and the technical kick. On the flip side, Hardy got enough pop to theoretically crack Tybura’s chin; however, it will be difficult for him to get his offense going with the threat of a Tybura land game hanging over his head.
From where I sit, Alex Morono looks at it made especially for Anthony Pettis. Yes, Welterweight’s Pettis doesn’t belong, but he’s the favorite striker with a big margin and his chin wants to go off Morono’s suckers. Plus, the Morono keeper is enough that Pettis should have no case resolving his kicks.
UFC Vegas 17 Best Promises:
- Single bet – Pannie Kianzad: Bet $ 40 to make $ 56
- Parlay – Jimmy Flick and Anthony Pettis: Bet $ 50 to make $ 69.50
- Single Bet – Marcin Tybura: Bet $ 40 to make $ 40
- Single bet – Stephen Thompson: Bet $ 50 to make $ 50
- Parlay – Michel Pereira and Anthony Pettis: Bet $ 40 to make $ 63.20
There are certainly worse ways to get rid of this situation of a year. See you Saturday, Maniacs.
Remember that MMAmania.com will be delivering a LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow broadcast of the entire UFC Vegas 17 fight card this weekend, starting with the ESPN + “Prelims” games, scheduled to start at 4pm ET, followed by the remaining main card balance ESPN + at 7pm ET.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 17: News and notes “Thompson vs. Neal ”be sure to build up a complete event archive here.