UFC returned to big network Fox earlier today (Saturday, September 3rd, 2016) for a streamed event to UFC Fight Pass. The card was headlined by a heavyweight bout between Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski. All in all, seven favorites won, while three upsets occurred and there was one draw. Here’s how everything played out based on the Several Bookmakers closing odds: Favorites That Won In the main event of the evening, Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski traded bombs early, rocking each other in the opening minute, but Barnett wisely switched up the gameplan, focusing on the clinch and takedowns, which eventually set up a third round finish via rear naked choke. Barnett was a -125 favorite (bet $125 to win $100) while Arlovski was a +115 underdog. In the co-main event of the evening, Alexander Gustafsson lived up to his -660 favorite hype against Jan Blachowicz, surviving an early scare on the feet to completely dominate Blachowicz with superior wrestling and ground control. Gustafsson battered Blachowicz from top position and was easily able to win a decision against his Polish opponent, who lost as a +540 underdog. In a light heavyweight bout, Ryan Bader utilized his full arsenal against Ilir Latifi, avoiding the big power strikes and then connecting with a massive knee as Latifi changed levels to put the Swede out cold. Bader was the winner as a -165 favorite while Latifi lost at +155. In the opening bout of the main card, lightweights Nick Hein and Tae Hyun Bang fought to a ho-hum decision. Hein scored a takedown in the first round and landed with some good left hands throughout the fight to win a unanimous decision. Hein closed at -320 while Bang was a +290 dog. In a women’s bantamweight scrap, Ashlee Evans-Smith utilized her superior size and strength against Veronica Macedo, eventually overwhelming the smaller fighter and finishing her with elbows on the ground in the third round. Evans-Smith was a -240 favorite while Macedo was +220. In a bantamweight contest, Taylor Lapilus showcased impressive takedown defense against Leandro Issa. Lapilus repeatedly stuffed Issa, then connected with strong punching combinations and kicks to easily win a decision while consistently threatening a knockout. Lapilus was victorious as a -155 favorite while Issa was +145. In a middleweight bout, Jack Hermansson put on a great performance in his UFC debut against Scott Askham. Hermansson utilized pressure and strong punching power to neutralize Askham’s knees and length while also securing top position in scrambles to win a decision. Hermansson was victorious as a -110 favorite while Askham lost at +100. In the opening bout of the night, Rustam Khabilov was barely able to grind out a close decision victory against Leandro Silva in the lightweight division. Silva started strong, rocking Khabilov in the first round and avoiding the takedown, but Khabilov secured top position in the second two rounds to squeak out the win on the scorecards. Khabilov held serve as a -430 favorite while Silva was +380. Underdogs That Won In a welterweight fight, Jessin Ayari fought smartly against Jim Wallhead in the first two rounds before slowing down and brawling in the third where he ate some huge shots. Wallhead nearly knocked out Ayari in the final seconds, but ran out of time and Ayari was able to win a split decision in both men’s UFC debuts. Ayari was victorious as a +115 underdog (Bet $100 to win $115) while Wallhead was -125. In a welterweight bout, Peter Sobotta put on a show for his native German fans, dropping Nicolas Dalby in the first round and securing top position on the ground in both the first and second rounds to easily win a decision. Dalby tried to turn it on in the third but he needed a finish and couldn’t get it. Sobotta won as a +177 underdog while Dalby was -192. Draws In a heavyweight bout, Jarjis Danho gassed quickly against UFC newcomer Christian Colombo, but Colombo couldn’t take advantage to earn a knockout. Danho repeatedly ducked his head down, eating a knee to the top of his head which resulted in a point deduction and wound up being the deciding factor in a majority draw. Danho had been the favorite when odds closed at -130 while Colombo was +120.
