UFC Fight Night 103: Rodriguez vs. Penn Date: January 15, 2017 Arena: Talking Stick Resort Arena City: Phoenix AZ The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back in Phoenix, AZ for the second time in promotional history this Sunday (January 15, 2017) with UFC Fight Night 103: Rodriguez vs. Penn. The 12-fight card is set to kick off with preliminary action at 6 p.m. (ET) on Fight Pass, and prelims will continue at 8 p.m. 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. Here are my live dogs: Heavyweight title bout: Alexei Oleynik (-145) vs. Viktor Pesta (+125) Gabe’s Thoughts: I see Pesta winning this fight as long as he avoids getting caught in a submission early. I think he knows what to expect from the Ukrainian veteran Oleynik and will be fully prepared to take him on. Pesta is much younger and has the brighter future ahead of him in the sport. Oleynik’s best years are behind him, and he likely does not have too many left. I think Pesta should be a slight betting favorite heading into this bout, so I like him for a play at his current offering underdog price of +125. I think there’s a decent chance he scores a stoppage here, but if not, I see him taking a unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards. Gabe’s Call: Pesta by T/KO (strikes, 0:46 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Pesta (+125) 2u to win 2.5u Heavyweight bout: Cyril Asker (-120) vs. Dmitri Smoliakov (+100) Gabe’s Thoughts: Both of these heavyweights had terrible Octagon debuts and lost their bouts. Chalking their performances up to Octagon jitters, I think Smoliakov is the better fighter of the two. Despite being a one-round-fighter, I think he has a decent chance of finishing Asker within that round. It would also not shock me to see some improved cardio considering how badly he faded in is promotional debut. I think Smoliakov should be slightly favored heading into this contest, so I like him for a play at his current price of +100. Gabe’s Call: Smoliakov by Submission (kimura, 1:03 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Smoliakov (+100) 1.5u to win 1.5u All of my content and plays are free. Your support is greatly appreciated. 
