UFC 197 Date: April 23, 2016 Arena: MGM Grand Garden Arena City: Las Vegas, NV The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is live on Pay Per View this Saturday night (April 23, 2016) with UFC 197: Jones vs St Preux. The action-packed 12-fight card kicks off at 6:30pm ET on UFC Fight Pass, with preliminary action continuing at 8pm ET on FOX Sports 1 and the main card getting going at 10pm ET on Pay Per View. If interested in wagering on these plays, or any plays for this fight card, all betting lines will be made available at Several Bookmakerss. Here are my main card plays: Flyweight bout: Chris Kelades (+205) vs Sergio Pettis (-225) Gabe’s Thoughts: I was initially eyeing Pettis as a piece for a parlay but after further looking into the fight, I began to see things differently. I think this fight is a lot closer than the current betting odds suggest and see Kelades as a live dog. I think the betting odds for this contest should be closer to a coin-flip, so at his current underdog tag of +205, I think the Greek holds some value. I think there is a good chance he makes this an ugly fight and grinds out a decision, though a finish would not shock me. Gabe’s Call: Kelades by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Kelades (+205) 2u to win 2.1u Heavyweight bout: Cody East (-155) vs Walt Harris (+145) Gabe’s Thoughts: East is making his promotional debut in this contest and I believe he is the superior fighter of the two heavyweights. He has the better chin and is the mentally stronger fighter of the two, as well. I think he hurts East at some point in this contest and puts him away. I think it happens fairly early, in highlight-reel fashion. Gabe’s Call: East by T/KO (strikes, 0:36 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: East (-155) 3.1u to win 2u Light Heavyweight bout: Clint Hester (+115) vs Marcos Rogerio De Lima (-135) Gabe’s Thoughts: Both of these fighters are over-rated, in my opinion, and I don’t see either of them lasting too long in the UFC. That said, I believe De Lima is the superior all-around mixed martial artist of the two and I think he shoud be a 2-to-1 betting favorite heading into this 205-pound contest, so I like him for a value play at his current offering price of -135. Gabe’s Call: De Lima by T/KO (strikes, 3:06 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: De Lima (-135) 2.7u to win 2u
