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 7pm ET on UFC Fight Pass, and preliminary action will follow at 8pm 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 Bookmakerss. Here are my preliminary card plays: Middleweight bout: Antonio Carlos Junior (-255) vs Leonardo Leleco (+235) Gabe’s Thoughts: If this fight stays on the feet, I think Carlos Junior could get put down at any moment. If it hits the mat and he doesn’t finish, he could gas himself out and end up getting finished. This is a tough fight to get a good read on, but I do believe it is much closer than the betting odds currently indicate and think Leleco has a legitimate chance at pulling off the upset. ACJ’s TKO loss to Dan Kelly could have either hurt him mentally or really motivated him, and in this bout, we will get the answer. Both 185-pounders are coming off defeats and will be looking to get into the win column in this contest. At his current underdog price tag of +235, I think Leleco is worth a small play here. Gabe’s Call: Leleco by T/KO (punches, 4:54 round 2) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Leleco (+235) 1u to win 2.35u Bantamweight bout: Alejandro Perez (-115) vs Albert Morales (+105) Gabe’s Thoughts: Morales will be making his promotional debut in this contest and will be looking to remain undefeated by extending his record to 7-0 with an impressive victory over fellow Mexican Perez. I think this is likely to be an exciting match-up and I do favor the slight +105 underdog Morales here. He has a reach advantage in this contest and I think he will find success in implementing it. Perez will be looking to make it three in a row for himself inside the Octagon with a win over the UFC newcomer here, but I don’t think it will come easy. Morales is making his debut on short notice, replacing Manny Gamburyan, and is eager to start making noise in the UFC’s bantamweight division. I think Morales can finish this fight inside the distance or on the judges’ scorecards, and I think he should be a -150 betting favorite heading, so I like him for a value play at the current price. Gabe’s Call: Morales by T/KO (punches, 4:59 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Morales (+105) 2u to win 2.1u
