UFC Fight Night 96: Lineker vs Dodson Date: October 1, 2016 Arena: Moda Center City: Portland, OR The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be heading to Portland, OR for the second time in promotional history with UFC Fight Night 96: Lineker vs Dodson. The 12-fight card is set to kick off with preliminary action on UFC Fight Pass at 7:15pm ET, which will continue on FOX Sports 2 at 9pm. Main card action will get going at 11pm on FOX Sports 1. If interested in wagering on any bouts for this fight card, all betting lines will be made available at Several Bookmakers. My Over/Under Totals are: Light Heavyweight bout: Joachim Christensen (+115) vs Luis Henrique Da Silva (-135) Gabe’s Thoughts: I think this is a closely contested match-up in the UFC’s 205-pound division. Both light heavyweights are durable and tough to put away, which makes me favor this bout going past one and a half rounds. At the current offering price of -170, I think it is worth a play. Gabe’s Call: Christensen by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Over 1.5 rounds (-170) 1.7u to win 1u Welterweight bout: Elizeu Zaleski (+125) vs Keita Nakamura (-145) Gabe’s Thoughts: This is a fight that is very tough for me to call. I have been going back and forth as to who I think will get his hand raised am I am not confident in either. As for a straight up play, you could argue that Zaleski holds value at the current price, but I am just not convinced, so I can’t back him with my wallet. That said, I do like the Total of Over 1.5 rounds at +155, as I think if Zaleski does in fact get his hand raised, his victory would come past the 1.5 round mark more often than not. The same goes for Nakamura, although I think Nakamura has a better chance of finishing early, should he manage a takedown early on the opening stanza. Gabe’s Call: Zaleski by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Over 1.5 rounds (-185) 1.85u to win 1u Middleweight bout: Nate Marquardt (+190) vs Tamdan McCrory (-230) Gabe’s Thoughts: I think this fight is likely to end early and it could be a better of who lands the first clean shot. McCrory’s chin is a major concern following his last bout, where he was put out cold with one punch by Kryszstof Jotko. Marquardt is coming off a knockout loss of his own, which came against Thiago Santos, and he will be looking to get back in the win column at 185-pounds. If McCrory doesn’t get clipped and put out early, he should win this fight convincingly, and he should do so in Under 1.5 rounds. At -115, I think the Total of Under 1.5 is the right play here. Gabe’s Call: McCrory by T/KO (strikes, 1:47 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Under 1.5 rounds (-115) 3.45u to win 3u
