UFC on FOX 18 Date: January 30, 2016 Arena: Prudential Center City: Newark, NJ The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Newark, NJ for the seventh time in promotional history with UFC on FOX 18: Johnson vs Bader. The action packed 13-fight card kicks off at 8pm ET on FOX, with preliminary action preceding it on FOX Sports 1 at 5pm ET and Fight Pass at 3:30pm ET. If interested in wagering on this parlay, or any bouts for this fight card, all betting lines are currently made available at Several Bookmakerss. Here is my parlay: Featherweight bout: Damon Jackson (+255) vs Levan Makashvili (-310) Gabe’s Thoughts: Makashvili is coming off a controversial split decision loss to Hacran Dias at UFC Fight Night 70 seven months ago and will aim for a return to the win column by taking out former Legacy FC featherweight champion Jackson, likely sending him packing back to the Texas-based promotion. I believe “The Hornet” is the superior mixed martial artist heading into this 135-pound contest and see him outstriking “The Leech” on the feet, as well as getting the better of him on the mat with his wrestling while succesfully defending his submission attempts. Not only does Makashvili have advantages in boxing and general striking, but I think he also holds a big advantage in power, which makes me think he could potentially hurt Jackson and stop him with strikes, if he opts to keep things on the feet. That could be what he does if he finds confidence on the feet, but he is a wrestling-minded fighter, so if he sees opening for takedowns, I think he will take them. More often than not, I think this featherweight scrap goes all three rounds to the judges’ scorecards, where Makashvili gets his hand raised. Gabe’s Call: Makashvili by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Lightweight bout: Felipe Olivieri (+155) vs Tony Martin (-175) Gabe’s Thoughts: To put it simply, not only do I think Martin is the better fighter in this 155-pound match-up, but I think his UFC experience will greatly benefit him. I expect Octagon jitters to play a factor for the promotional newcomer Olivieri and I see Martin getting the better of him from the opening bell with his striking, then eventually taking the fight to the mat and securing a submission, likely before the end of the first stanza. Needless to say, I favor Martin to get his hand raised in impressive fashion this Saturday night and get back into the win column at 155-pounds. Gabe’s Call: Martin by Submission (arm triangle choke, 4:10 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Parlay: Makashvili (-310) and Martin (-175) at +107 for 3.9u to win 4.2u
