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 Fights to AVOID betting are: Welterweight bout: Josh Burkman (-245) vs Zak Ottow (+205) Gabe’s Thoughts: After dropping a fight to Paul Felder at 155-pounds, Burkman has opted to move back up to the welterweight division for this bout, and greeting will be promotional newcomer Zak Ottow. I think this is a fight Burkman should be able to edge on the judges’ scorecards but it’s tough to say where his head his out at this point in his career, following his failed run in the lightweight division. I don’t think there value in either fighter here, so this is going to be a fight I avoid at the sportsbook this Saturday night. Gabe’s Call: Burkman by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: AVOID Heavyweight bout: Shamil Abdurakhimov (-120) vs Walt Harris (+100) Gabe’s Thoughts: Unless one of them manages an early finish, I see this being a long, lackluster fight that sees both fighters have their moments, or lackthereof en route to a judges’ decision. I agree with the betting odds in that this is more or less a coin-flip match-up, so I see no value for a play on either side. An early finish or long, drawn out fight is what I expect from this heavyweight pairing, and this is one scrap I will be keeping my wallet away from this Saturday night. Gabe’s Call: Abdurakhimov by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: AVOID
