UFC 206: HOLLOWAY VS PETTIS Date: December 9, 2016 Arena: Air Canada Centre City: Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heads to Toronto, Ontario, Canada for the fifth time in promotional history with UFC 206: Holloway vs Pettis. If interested in wagering on this parlay, or any bouts for this fight card, all betting lines are currently made available at Several Bookmakers. Here are my plays: Lightweight bout: John Makdessi (+140) vs. Lando Vannata (-180) Gabe’s Thoughts: This is a striker versus striker matchup in the UFC’s lightweight division, and both fighters are two of the smaller 155-pounders the UFC roster has to offer, as Makdessi and Vannata both appear capable of making the featherweight limit. Makdessi is an excellent striker with great technique, but I think Vannata’s superior chin and advantages in reach and power will make the difference, as I see him connecting on Makdessi’s button and putting him out at some point throughout the scheduled 15 minutes of action. I expect this fight to be Vannata’s coming-out party, and I see him earning a victory in impressive fashion. The loser of this bout should consider a move to 145 pounds in my opinion. Gabe’s Call: Vannata by T/KO (punch, 1:01 round 1 Bantamweight bout: Mitch Gagnon (-170) vs. Matthew Lopez (+130) Gabe’s Thoughts: Two bantamweights with bad cardio. I think Gagnon will come out the gate faster and stronger, likely putting Lopez away early. Should Lopez manage to survive the early onslaught, I think he will end up losing on the scorecards. I favor the French-Canadian to get his hand raised in Canada and return to the win column at 135 pounds. Lopez is a solid prospect who had his first taste of professional mixed martial arts defeat in his promotional debut against veteran Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Rani Yahya, losing via third-round arm-triangle choke submission. He hopes to pick up his first UFC win by taking out Gagnon, who is coming off an extended layoff following a third-round arm-triangle choke submission loss to former 135-pound champ Renan Barao. Both fighters just suffered nearly identical losses and aim to get their hand raised in impressive fashion. Gagnon is the more proven fighter of the two, so while Lopez appears to have a high ceiling, I think his opponent has the tools to get the job done more often times than not at this point in their careers, as long as he has not hit a big decline in his time off. Gabe’s Call: Gagnon by T/KO (punches, 0:31 round 1) Gabe’s Recommeded Parlay: Vannata (-180) and Gagnon (-170) at +147 1.4u to win 2.05u
