UFC Fight Night 115: Volkov vs. Struve
Date: September 2, 2017
Arena: Ahoy Rotterdam
City: Rotterdam, Netherlands
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back in Rotterdam, Netherlands for the second time in promotional history this Saturday (September 2, 2017) with UFC Fight Night 115: Volkov vs. Struve. The 12-fight card is scheduled to get underway with preliminary action at 11:30 a.m. (ET), with the main card kicking off at 3 p.m. The card will be broadcasted live on UFC Fight Pass in it’s entirety. If interested in wagering on any bouts for these fight cards, all betting lines are available at Several Bookmakers.
Here are my plays:
Light Heavyweight bout: Abdul Kerim Edilov (-620) vs. Bojan Mihajlovic (+460)
Gabe’s Thoughts: Edilov is making his UFC debut againt Mihaljovic, who is winless in two Octagon appearances and fighting for his job in this bout. A man with his back against the wall is always dangerous, but I think he is largely outmatched in this contest. I expect this to be a one-sided, walk in the park type of fight for Edilov and see him scoring an impressive finish. I don’t believe Mihaljovic is a UFC-caliber athlete while I could see Edilov doing well in the promotion. At -620, I think he is still worth playing, as I believe he should be a massive -1500 betting favorite in this contest. That said, my play here will be the Total of Under 1.5 rounds at -175, as I think that line should be at -400. I see Edilov getting the job done early and in dominant fashion.
Gabe’s Call: Edilov by T/KO (punches, 1:14 round 1)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: Under 1.5 rounds (-175)
Featherweight bout: Zabit Magomedsharipov (-445) vs. Mike Santiago (+355)
Gabe’s Thoughts: Magomedsharipov and Santiago are both making their promotional debuts in this contest, with Santiago making a quick return to action following his first-round knockout win over Pittsburgh’s Mike Cherico on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series, which earned him a UFC contract. Magomedsharipov is giving up his ACB featherweight title for a chance at working his way towards earning a UFC title. Both 145-pounders are riding impressive winning streaks heading into this contest, with Magomedsharipov winning seven in a row and Santiago having won eight in a row. I think Santiago is a solid featherweight and has a bright future in the UFC’s 145-pound division, however, I think this is a very tough matchup for him in his UFC debut and arguably the stiffest competition of his professional mixed martial arts career. I think Magomedsharipov holds the cards everywhere the fight goes, and I do see it taking place on the feet, where both fighters prefer it. Santiago may end up looking for the takedown, as I see Magomedsharipov ultimately being too much for him on the feet. One way or another, I see Magomedov getting the finish in this contest, and I do favor a T/KO. I think there’s a good chance he puts Santiago away with a body shot, most likely a kick. I believe this is Magomedsharipov’s fight to lose, and I see him getting the job done on Saturday. I think he should be a -900 betting favorite here, so I think he holds value at his current offering price of -445, but I am opting to take the Under of 1.5 rounds at +125, as I feel that line should be -240.
Gabe’s Call: Magomedsharipov by T/KO (body-kick, 3:47 round 1)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: Under 1.5 rounds (+125)
