Five Crazy Props is a column featured on MMAOddsbreaker.com after every major MMA event that highlights the biggest underdog prop bets to cash out from that card. Here’s five crazy UFC on Fox 18 prop bets that cashed big based on the closing odds at Several Bookmakers. 1) Makashvili vs Jackson is a draw +18500 A fight ending in a draw rarely happens in mixed martial arts, and when it does, it is usually because either one fighter had a point deducted or scored a 10-8 round. That was the case here, as the referee docked Makashvili a point in the third round after consecutive fouls. The fight was very competitive through two rounds and featured a lot of unsuccessful takedown attempts. That started to change in the third round, as Makashvili found some success with his takedowns and top control. However, Makashvili landed an illegal knee and then proceeded to poke Jackson in the eye. It resulted in the referee taking a point from Makashvili, which usually does not happen after two clearly accidental fouls, but the referee felt it was warranted in this case. With the point deduction, one judge scored it 29-27 for Jackson, while the two remaining judges had it 28-28. 2) Ben Rothwell wins by submission +1300 In the co-main event, veterans Josh Barnett and Ben Rothwell collided in a meaningful heavyweight attraction. The prevailing thought entering the matchup was that if Rothwell won, it would likely be by knockout, while if Barnett won it would likely be either by decision or submission. However, perhaps the least likely result occurred, as Rothwell submitted Barnett via second round gogo choke. The result was surprising because Barnett had never been submitted before and was the much more accomplished grappler. The win may have earned a future title shot for Rothwell, as he has now won four consecutive fights in the division. 3) Bryan Barberena wins by submission +859 Kicking off UFC on Fox 18’s main card was a welterweight contest between hyped prospect Sage Northcutt and Bryan Barberena. Northcutt started the fight strong by landing several quick combinations and an accidental headbutt that left a cut over Barberena’s eye. However, Barberena was able to weather the storm and Northcutt appeared to be tiring towards the end of the first round. Things got worse in the second, as Northcutt attempted a cartwheel kick that missed and caused him to end up on his back with Barberena on top. Northcutt was never able to get back to his feet and ultimately tapped out to an arm-triangle choke from half guard. 4) Alexander Yakovlev wins by TKO +785 The biggest TKO prop to cash on Saturday night was due to Alexander Yakovlev’s victory over New Jersey native George Sullivan. In his first fight back at welterweight, Yakovlev landed a crushing right hook about four minutes into the first round that flattened Sullivan. A few follow-up punches, which may have not been necessary, closed the show for the Russian. This is the second win in a row for Yakovlev, who looks to be finding his groove in the UFC after four fights. 5) Carlos Diego Ferreira wins by decision +570 According to the betting odds, one of the biggest upsets of the night was Carlos Diego Ferreira’s unanimous decision victory over Canadian Olivier Aubin-Mercier. Ferreira utilized his superior boxing in the first two rounds, as he routinely caught Aubin-Mercier with his counter-punching. Ferreira sealed the win in the third round by reversing an Aubin-Mercier takedown attempt and ending up in top position. The Brazilian proceeded to take Aubin-Mercier’s back and attempt a few submissions. However, Aubin-Mercier utilized good defense and Ferreira was forced to settle for a decision.
