UFC Fight Night 116: Rockhold vs. Branch
Date: September 16, 2017
Arena: PPG Paints Arena
City: Pittsburgh, PA
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is headed back to Pittsburg, PA for the third time in promotional history with UFC Fight Night 116: Rockhold vs. Branch. The 11-fight card is scheduled to kick off with preliminary action on UFC Fight Pass at 7:30 p.m. ET. Prelims will continue on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m., with the main card getting going on the same channel at 10 p.m. If interested in wagering on any bouts for these fight cards, all betting lines are made available at Several Bookmakers.
Here is my parlay:
Heavyweight bout: Anthony Hamilton (-210) vs. Daniel Spitz (+175)
Gabe’s Thoughts: I believe Hamilton is the superior mixed martial artist heading into this heavyweight matchup, and as long as his chin holds up, I see this matchup being a walk in the park for him. I don’t think Spitz is a UFC-caliber heavyweight, so outside of landing a clean shot and knocking Hamilton out, because Hamilton does not have the best chin, I don’t see him getting his hand raised on Saturday night. Hamilton is stronger, more well-rounded and has better cardio. I think this is his fight to lose and I see him bouncing back into the win column with an impressive victory over Spitz on Saturday night. I think he is worth playing at -210, as I think he should be a -330 betting favorite in this contest.
Gabe’s Call: Hamilton by T/KO (punches, 3:20 round 2)
Middleweight bout: Krzysztof Jotko (-210) vs. Uriah Hall (+175)
Gabe’s Thoughts: Both 185-pounders are searching for a return to the win column in this matchup, and I favor the superior grappler in Jotko to get there. His striking has been steadily improving, so I could see him catching Hall on the feet and knocking him out, though I don’t like his chances of outpointing Hall over the course of three rounds. I think there is a decent chance he knocks Hall out, however I think grinding him out with his superior wrestling over the course of three rounds for a decision win is the more likely outcome to this middleweight affair.
Gabe’s Call: Jotko by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Gabe’s Recommended Parlay: Hamilton (-210) and Jotko (-210) at +117
