UFC Fight Night 139 AKA UFC Denver headlines the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado this weekend as the returning Korean Zombie meets El Pantera in his first fight back in over a year.
I have a few good props for this weekend that I think have a great chance at cashing.
Joseph Benavidez vs. Ray Borg: (UPDATE: Ray Borg Out With Illness, Fight Now Canceled)
This is more of a fade on Joe B than anything at this point. He was coming off a significant knee injury and surgery prior to his fight with Sergio Pettis. I’m sure the surgery & layoff affected his performance, but he just looked a bit shot and a declining fighter. Not the same Joseph Benavidez that we have seen for the past many years. Ray Borg on the other hand is still a young and ever-improving fighter with a great grappling background. He hasn’t fought in a little over year ever since losing to Demetrious Johnson (who hasn’t lost to him?), but he has had time off to continue to get better and at only 25 years old I’m sure we will see a better Ray Borg this Saturday. I don’t expect a finish in this fight but more than likely a fight centered around grappling with Ray Borg getting the edge on most of the exchanges.
Prop: Ray Borg wins by decision (+150)
Chan Sung Jung vs. Yair Rodriguez:
With Edgar having to pull out due to injury, Rodriguez steps up on short notice to compete against Chan Sung Jung who has been out longer than Rodriguez. After diving into this new matchup, a bit and weighing out the pros and cons of both fighters I have to outright pick Rodriguez here. I think this is similar to the Benavidez-Borg fight: an older fighter vs a prospect. The prime of Jung’s career has been sidelined due to mandatory military time in South Korea plus significant injuries he has suffered throughout his career. Rodriguez is still young and is able to improve as a fighter himself. I think his range of kicks, speed, and ability to avoid Jung’s power should aid him en-route to an eventual (T)KO of the Korean Zombie here.
Prop: Yair Rodriguez wins by Inside the Distance (+160)
Thanks for reading and best of luck!
