UFC on FOX 21: Maia vs Condit Date: August 27, 2016 Arena: Rogers Arena City: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to Vancouver with UFC on FOX 21: Maia vs Condit. The main card will be kicking off on FOX at 8pm ET, with preliminary action preceding it on the same channel at 6pm ET and UFC Fight Pass at 4pm ET priot to that. If interested in wagering on any bouts for this fight card, all betting lines will be made available at Several Bookmakerss. My Fights to AVOID betting are: Women’s Strawweight bout: Paige Van Zant (-225) Bec Rawlings (+185) Gabe’s Thoughts: I think this women’s 115-pound contest is much closer than the betting odds indiciate and I believe it to be a “dog or pass” situation in which I ultimately opt to pass on making a move on the dog. I don’t see VanZant finishing Rawlings, so she needs to win this card on the scorecards, in my eyes. However, despite VanZant being very tough, I think Rawlings is capable of putting her away; though a decision victory for her is also the most likely outcome. I think this fight hits the judges’ scorecards more often than not, where it could be anybody’s fight. That in mind, Rawlings at +185 seems like an enticing bet. I personally can’t get myself to pull the trigger on it, but cannot blame anybody who goes for it. Even if she does deserve to win, I could still see her losing this fight on the scorecards. I see value in her at her current price but just don’t feel good about it. I can’t put any confidence behind her, so I have to avoid this one at the sportsbooks tomorrow night. Gabe’s Call: VanZant by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Gabe’s Recommended Play: AVOID Middleweight bout: Adam Hunter (-145) vs Ryan Janes (+125) Gabe’s Thoughts: This is a middleweight affair between a pair of promotional newcomers. I think there are currently too many question marks surrounding both of them to confidently make a wager, especially this being their first fights in the UFC and Octagon jitters playing a potential factor. Hunter needs to keep this fight standing and Janes needs to take it to the mat. I don’t know what will happen but I think Hunter is the somewhat superior fighter of the two and his advantage on the feet could be enough. I see him putting Janes away early in this fight, but I could also see him getting caught with a guillotine early. I could also see him fading and losing a decision, though I could also see him winning a decision. Clearly there are so many ways this fight can play out, and as I already mentioned, there are just too many question marks that need to be answered. I think it is best to sit back and enjoy this one, while allowing ourselves to learn more about both of these UFC newcomers. Gabe’s Call: Hunter by T/KO (punches, 1:01 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: AVOID
