‘Ask Cousin Gabe’ is a new article at MMA Oddsbreaker where I answer questions from readers. If you would like to ask me a question, regarding wagering, UFC on FOX: Van Zant vs Waterson or MMA in general, please email it to Budosophy@gmail.com and make sure to include your name and location. You may also tweet me your questions @GabeKillianMMA using the hashtag #AskCousinGabe on Twitter. “What’s the most appealing prop play for the Choi/Swanson fight?” -Manpreet Jhass, Toronto, Ontario, Canada I like Choi to win this fight by T/KO and remain undefeated, keeping his T/KO streak intact. While I like the Choi by T/KO line at +105, considering he is currently -220 straight up, I think the best play here is Choi Inside the Distance at +100, as they are near identical odds except you get a safety ned with this one in case Choi pulls off a longshot submission. I expect this to be a striking contest, but if the fight were to hit the mat, a submission victory would not be out of the realm of possibility for the surging featherweight prospect. “What do you think about a parlay of Doo Ho Choi and Lando Vannata?” -V, Los Angeles, CA I picked both fighters to win and parlayed both of them, except with other fighters. I quite favor this pairing, as well. I favor both fighters to win their respected bouts via T/KO. One thing both of their opponents have in common is that they have suffered broken jaws and are now facing hard-hitting opponents who are very capable of breaking it again. I would not be surprised to see at least one of these fighters end up with a broken jaw on Saturday night. Cub Swanson is still a very good featherweight but I don’t think he is getting any better at this point. Choi is a bad match-up for him, in my opinion, as Vannata is for Makdessi. Vannata made a short notice UFC debut against Tony Ferguson and was handily beating Ferguson until he gassed and got submitted. He is a talented fighter and I think he is a level or two above Makdessi. Despite being on enemy territory, I do believe this is his fight to lose and he should get the job done. To conclude, I really like that parlay and give it the Gabe Killian greenlight! “Any fighters I should keep an eye on this weekend. catdaddy?” -Paul Harris (for real), Baton Rouge, LA The aforementioned Doo Ho Choi and Lando Vanatta are two to name right off the bat. They are both solid prospects with excellent futures in their divisions. Also at UFC 206 on Saturday night, welterweights Jordan Mein and Emil Meek are worth watching, as they are both very talented strikers who are capable of ending the fight at any point. Mein is making his return to the UFC after deciding to end his early retirement and he is taking on promotional newcomer Meek, who is coming off a first round knockout of Rousimar Palhares in Europe. For Friday night, Francis Ngannou is a heavyweight to watch in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night in Albany, where he takes on Anthony Hamilton and is a massive -525 betting favorite heading into the contest. This man is very big and very strong. He has huge hands that crush dreams when they connect. He is a treat to watch, so make sure to not skip that scrap on Friday. Shane Burgos is another fighter to watch Friday night, as he makes his short notice UFC debut against Tiago Trator. He is a Tiger Schulman fighter from New York and has a bright future in the division. The Frankie Perez versus Marc Diakiese match-up that evening is an excellt one and I think both 155-pounders there are worth keeping an eye on, as well. Much like the aforementioned Mein, Perez decided to end his early retirement and is now making his return to the Octagon against Diakiese, who is an undefeated English fighter looking to go 2-0 in the UFC. “Question regarding UFC 206, between Krylov and Cirkunov….does Cirkunov get Krylov down and submit him or does Krylov take him out on on the feet first?” -Travaz, Baltimore, MD It’s possible Krylov could take Cirkunov down and get submitted, too. I could see Krylov winning this fight by T/KO, but I think a submission win for Cirkunov is the more likely outcome.
