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: Aleksandar Rakic (-135) vs. Francimar Barroso (+115)
Gabe’s Thoughts: Rakic is making his Octagon debut against the Brazilian in this contest. I believe he will have the striking advantage in this bout against Barroso, which I expect him to employ and find success with. I favor a first round T/KO victory for Rakic, but I could also see it coming later in the fight. His cardio will be a question mark, but should this fight hit the judges’ scorecards for a decision, I think he will manage to win at least two out of three rounds on the judges’ scorecards. Barroso is up and down, and I think this fight will be another down for the Brazilian, as I see Rakic coming through with an impressive victory in his UFC debut.
Gabe’s Call: Rakic by T/KO (strikes, 1:28 round 1)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: Rakic (-135)
Lightweight bout: Andrew Holbrook (-160) vs. Thibault Gouti (+140)
Gabe’s Thoughts: Holbook is coming off a first-round knockout at the hands of Gregor Gillespie at UFC 210 just four months ago and will be looking to break back into the win column in this quick return to action against Gouti. The Italian is winless in three Octagon appearances, getting finished in all three contests, so he will certainly be fighting for his job in this one. His back is against the wall, and he will be looking for the upset in Rotterdam, where he figures to have a somewhat of a home advantage, considering his family and friends in Italy were likely able to make the trip. Gouti has been training out of Jackson-Wink MMA in Albuequrque, NM, but I don’t think even Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn will be able to help him defeat a UFC-caliber lightweight, which is what I think Holbrook is. The Indiana native does not have a very good chin, but he is a UFC-caliber fighter, while Gouti simply isn’t. Does that mean Gouti is incapable of getting the win here? No. I would not be shocked if he wins, but at the current odds, I think the betting value is with Holbrook at -160, as I think he should be a -250 betting favorite here. If not for his chin being a concern, especially following a knockout loss just four months ago, I would have capped him anywhere from -300 to -500. I think Holbrook puts Gouti on his back in this bout and puts him away, either by TKO or submission. I could also see him dropping him on the feet before finishing him on the mat. I do see the finish coming on the mat, but how it ends up there is a question mark, as I see a takedown and knockdown both as possibilities.
Gabe’s Call: Holbrook by Submission (rear naked choke, 2:05 round 1)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: Holbrook (-160)
