UFC Fight Night 121: Werdum vs. Tybura
Date: November 18
Arena: Qudos Bank Arena
City: Sydney, Australia
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is heading to Sydney, Australia for the fifth time in promotional history with UFC Fight Night 121: Werdum vs. Tybura. The 13-fight card is scheduled to kick off with preliminary action at 6:30 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass, with the prelims continuing at 8 p.m. on FOX Sports 1 and the main card getting underway 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 are my live dogs:
Women’s Strawweight bout: Nadia Kassem (-170) vs. Alex Chambers (+150)
Gabe’s Thoughts: Kassem is an undefeated Australian prospect making her UFC debut against a fellow Australian in Chambers, who at 39 years of age, is coming off an extended layoff following a one-sided loss to Paige Van Zant. There are many question marks surrounding both fighters heading into this bout, but I trust Chambers a little bit more here. She is not a UFC-caliber fighter, but I don’t know if Kassem is, either. Kassem would get the better of Chambers on the feet, but I expect Chambers to take this fight to the mat, where I think she has a good chance of securing a submission. Although I am not at all big on Chambers, generally speaking, I do believe she is a major step up in competition for Kassem, and may prove to be too much too soon in her Octagon debut. I think Kassem is arriving at the UFC earlier than she should, and a loss to Chambers should be evidence of that.
Gabe’s Call: Chambers by Submission (rear naked choke, 2:34 round 1)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: Chambers (+150)
Flyweight bout: Eric Shelton (-370) vs. Jenel Lausa (+310)
Gabe’s Thoughts: I agree with Shelton being the betting favorite in this bout, however I don’t agree with his current offering price of -370. I think he should be a -200 betting favorite here, so at the current odds, I believe we are looking at a dog or pass situation. Shelton has the wrestling advantage here, but I am not sure if he will employ it. I think the majority, if not entirety of this bout will play out on the feet, where I think things will be quite competitive. I think Shelton can manage to edge every round to pick up a unanimous nod on the judges’ scorecards, but when it does hit the cards, don’t be surprised to see it go in Lausa’s favor. At +310, I do think he is worth a shot on Saturday night.
Gabe’s Call: Shelton by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: Lausa (+310)
