UFC Fight Night 91: McDonald vs Lineker Date: July 13, 2016 Arena: Denny Sanford Premier Center City: Sioux Falls, SD The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to make it’s inaugral trip to Sioux Falls, SD for UFC Fight Night 91: McDonald vs Lineker. This will be first official fight card under the new UFC regime. The 12-fight card is set to get going with preliminary action on UFC Fight Pass at 5:30pm ET and continuing on FOX Sports 1 at 7pm ET. Main card action will be underway at 9pm ET, also on FOX Sports 1. If interested in wagering on any bouts for this fight card, all betting lines will be made available at Several Bookmakerss. My Over/Under Totals are: Bantamweight bout: Michael McDonald (+150) vs John Lineker (-160) Gabe’s Thoughts: I think Michael McDonald is the stiffest test of John Lineker’s proessional mixed martial arts career. His previous opponent Rob Font, I felt was his stiffest test at the time, and he passed that one with flying colors. Can history repeat itself against McDonald in a five round main event? Maybe, but I wouldn’t bet on it. In fact, I think McDonald is a very live dog in this spot and do believe he should be a slight favorite heading into the 135-pound contest. I expect McDonald to fight a smart fight, which means he won’t come out looking to stand and trade with Lineker. I think he will be technical and outpoint the Brazilian, while mixing in takedowns. I think McDonald (+150) is a solid bet but I see more value in the Over 1.5 prop at it’s current offering price of -157, as regardless of who gets his hand raised, I think this bout goes past seven and a half minutes more often than not. Gabe’s Call: McDonald by Submission (triangle-armbar, 3:05 round 3) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Over 1.5 rounds (-157) 3.14u to win 2u Women’s Strawweight bout: Cortney Casey (+140) vs Cristina “Barbie” Stanciu (-150) Gabe’s Thoughts: I think this is a very close fight in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division and have been back and forth on my official pick. Momentarily, I slightly lean towards Stanciu, though I don’t quite agree with her being a -150 favorite. At the current odds, I see no value on either fighter for a wager. However, I do think the Total of 2.5 rounds at -215 holds some value, as I think that line should be -300. Casey and Stanciu own a combined eight out nine professional mixed martial arts victories by way of finish, but I think this particular match-up stylistically favors to hit the judges’ scorecards more often than not. They are both finishers, but more importantly, they are both tough to finish. Gabe’s Call: Casey by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Over 2.5 rounds (-215) 2.15u to win 1u
