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 7:15 p.m. (ET), which will continue on FOX Sports 2 at 9 p.m. Main card action will get going at 11 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. If interested in wagering on these plays, or any plays for this fight card, all betting lines will be made available at Several Bookmakers. Here are my live dogs: Bantamweight bout: John Dodson (-125) vs. John Lineker (+105) Gabe’s Thoughts: I was going to predict a first-round knockout win for Lineker, as I think this fight will start out as a firefight in the first round, with both 135-pounders looking to put the other away. In such a scenario, I would expect Lineker to hurt Dodson and then put the finishing touches on him for the TKO victory. However, I am starting to think that as soon as Dodson feels Lineker’s power, he is going to take the technical approch to the fight and attempt to outpoint the Brazilian on the scorecards. I think Lineker’s power shots will appeal to the judges more than Dodson’s volume over the course of five rounds, and I think he will pull away with this one with a unanimous-decision victory on the judges’ scorecards. If it ends inside the distance, I think Dodson is capable of putting most anybody away, but in this fight I think Lineker has a higher chance of finishing. If it hits the scorecards for a decision, I think it’s closer, but I do still think Lineker’s chances are greater. At his current underdog price of +105, I think he is the ride side for a play in this bantamweight contest. Gabe’s Call: Lineker by Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Lineker (+105) 2u to win 2.1u Women’s Bantamweight bout: Kelly Faszholz (-115) vs. Ketlen Vieira (-125) Gabe’s Thoughts: In short, I think Faszholz is the superior mixed martial artist heading into this women’s 135-pound contest, and I think she should be a -180 betting favorite, so I see value in her at the current odds. Gabe’s Call: Faszholz by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Faszholz (-115) 2.3u to win 2u
