UFC Fight Night 94: Johnson vs Poirier Date: September 17, 2016 Arena: State Farm Arena City: Hidalgo, TX The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be in Hidalgo, TX for the first time in promotional history with UFC Fight Night 94: Johnson vs Poirier. The 12-fight card is set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass, and preliminary action will follow at 8 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1, culminating with a six-fight main card ont he same channel. If interested in wagering on these plays, or any plays for this fight card, all betting lines will be made available at Several Bookmakers. Here are my live dogs: Featherweight bout: Gabriel Benitez (+145) vs Sam Sicilia (-175) Gabe’s Thoughts: I think this bout will take place on the feet, where I see Benitez avoiding Sicilia’s power strikes and technically outstriking him. I think there is a good chance he stops him with strikes, but if not, I think he will pick up a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards. I think Sicilia will be looking to trade and find the knockout, but if he looks to wrestle, I expect improved takedown defense from Benitez. This is now back-to-back matchups where he has been facing opponents who have solid wrestling, and he did not get to display it in his last bout as it ended early, but I think that’s an area he has been working on at the AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) in San Jose, CA, as they have an excellent wrestling program there. I think this fight will stay standing, whether Sicilia tries to take it to the mat or not, and I like the Mexican’s chances of avoiding the power shots and finding a finish of his own; or just simply outpointing him for a unanimous nod from the judges at Octagon-side. Gabe’s Call: Benitez by T/KO (strikes, 3:54 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Benitez (+145) 2u to win 2.9u Bantamweight bout: Joey Gomez (-165) vs Jose Quinonez (+135) Gabe’s Thoughts: In short, I think Quinonez has the brighter future of the two and believe he should be a -160 betting favorite heading into this 135-pound contest, so I see value in him at his current underdog price tag of +135. Gabe’s Call: Quinonez by Submission (rear naked choke, 1:16 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Quinonez (+135) 2u to win 2.7u
