The lone Fight Pass prelims at UFC Fight Night 60 is a three-round lightweight bout between James Moontasri and Cody Pfister. According to the current betting lines available at Several Bookmakers, Moontasri is a -240 favorite (bet $240 to win $100) while Pfister is a +180 underdog (bet $100 to win $180). MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened up Moontasri at -245 and Pfister at +175 and there has been little betting action on this fight so far as the lines have tightened up. I agree that Moontasri should be a sizeable favorite here as I’m expecting him to win this fight in impressive fashion. Here’s why. Moontasri (7-2) is 0-1 in the UFC with a split decision loss to Joe Ellenberger which was controversial as most media and fans thought Moontasri won the fight. The 26-year-old American is a devastating striker and has won three fights by knockout. He uses very unique angles and has more power than you would figure a guy with his size has, but it’s worked out for him well so far. In the Ellenberger fight, he dropped his opponent with strikes and Ellenberger’s toughness is the only reason he didn’t knock him out. Unfortunately for Moontasri, he took that fight on short notice and as the fight went on and he tired he was taken down and put on his back, leading the judges to give Ellenberger the split decision nod, but I really thought Moontasri did enough to win and I don’t really consider that a true loss. Moontasri has some potential and the UFC was matching him up with Jake Lindsey in order to, I think, get him back on track, but after an injury to Lindsey caused him to pull out of the fight, Moontasri will now take on Pfister and it’s a fight that he really should win, hence his status as the favorite. Pfister (11-3-1) is making his UFC debut on two weeks’ notice, filling in for the injured Lindsey. The 24-year-old American is currently riding an eight-fight unbeaten streak that earned him the call to the UFC, and I expect him to make the most of it. A Shark Fights veteran, Pfister has seven stoppage wins so far in his career with all of them coming in the first round. He has also been stopped twice in his career, both times in this first round, so fans can expect an action-packed opening stanza during his fight with Moontasri. Pfister was a competitor on TUF Live but lost via submission in the opening round to Vinc Pichel, and overall in his career has lost every time he’s faced any sort of decent competition (Tim Means, Derek Campos). He is an aggressive fighter with some decent striking, so I can see why the UFC signed him, but taking on a stud like Moontasri on short notice I just can’t see this ending well for Pfister, and unless he lands a knockout blow, I can’t see him winning this fight. Pfister seems like a fighter with a padded record while I believe Moontasri has long been underrated. If he had a full training camp I’d give Pfister more of a shot in this one, but taking the fight on short notice, I expect him to lose this fight, and I think he’ll lose in devastating fashion. Moontasri is a technical striker with power, and I believe he will reach Pfister’s chin in this one and pull off the W. At the current line, I believe Moontasri is worth playing next weekend, and I expect him to look quite impressive in victory.
