UFC Fight Night 124: Stephens vs. Choi
Date: January 14
Arena: Scottrade Center
City: St. Louis, MO
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is headed to St. Louis, MO for the first time in promotional history with UFC Fight Night 124: Stephens vs. Choi. The 11-fight card is scheduled to kick off with preliminary action on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. ET, with televised prelims getting going on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. and the main card following 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.
My Fights to AVOID betting are:
Welterweight bout: Kamaru Usman (-650) vs. Emil Meek (+475)
Gabe’s Thoughts: I think Usman should be a -530 betting favorite heading into this 170 pound matchup, so i see no betting value in him at his current asking price of -650. On the other hand, I don’t think Meek at +475 is worth a play, either. Needless to say, I think this is a fight best left alone at the sportsbook this weekend. I do think Usman will use his wrestling advantage to get this fight down to the mat, where he will either cruise to a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards or earn a TKO stoppage via ground and pound. If Usman tries to strike with Meek, it could spell for trouble, but I think he could get the better of him on the feet, as well. Wrestling should be his gameplan and I expect him to employ en route to a victory.
Gabe’s Call: Usman by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: AVOID
Welterweight bout: Zak Cummings (-200) vs. Thiago Alves (+170)
Gabe’s Thoughts: I think Cummings should be a -160 betting favorite in this matchup, so I have to pass on making a play on him at his current offering price of -160. The return on Alves is +170, but I don’t think that’s enough to warrant a play. At the current odds, I think this is a fight best left avoiding at the sportsbook this weekend. I pick Cummings to win, but I think if Alves shows up to fight and in shape, he will be a stiff test for him, and one I am not sure he will pass. Cummings would need the takedowns to win this fight, and I am not at all confident he can get them. My pick is Cummings, but with zero confidence.
Gabe’s Call: Cummings by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Gabe’s Recommended Play: AVOID
Editor’s note: The Cummings/Alves bout was cancelled due to an accident suffered by Cummings.
