Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo

[mrpickem]

FIGHT NIGHT: SANDHAGEN/FIGUEIREDO​

WELLS FARGO ARENA, DES MOINES, IOWA

Nothing special, just an average lower level card. Still we get the Sandman and Bo Nickel arguably the two best up and comer Americans in the UFC, Cory's been around awhile, but still hasn't got that titles shot. Bo's being groomed but this should be a real test today to see where he's at.

 

[HUNT]

Let's go!

 

[mrpickem]

FIGHT NIGHT: SANDHAGEN/FIGUEIREDO​

WELLS FARGO ARENA, DES MOINES, IOWA

Prelims:

• 3/1.28 Ivana Petrovic -235
• 2.97/1 Thomas Petersen -297
• 3/2.56 Don'Tale Mayes/Thomas Petersen o2½ -117
• 2/1.28 Gaston Bolanos/Quang Le o2½ -156
• 2/5.20 Gillian Robertson wins inside distance +260
• 2/4.70 Gillian Robertson/Marina Rodriguez u2½ +235
• 4/1.43 Azamat Bekoev -280
• 2/2.74 Yana Santos +137

​

• At first glance, one might wonder what Juliana Miller(3-3) is even doing in the UFC. She is 1-3 in the last 4½ years(1-2 in UFC), but she has that dog in her, She is always in attack mode, pushing the pace. Subs are her specialty and she's always looking for and arm or neck. She has finished all 3 of her fights and does her best to put on entertaining fights. Her opponent today Ivana Petrovic (7-2) looks to rebound after losing 2 of last 3, both by decision. She's a tall former kick boxer with a 71" reach(5" advantage). I think Ivana's solid TDD, K1 background and technical striking should be enough to control the fight and dominate the scorecards for a likely decision.
• Big boys up next with Don'Tale Mayes (11-8) vs Thomas Petersen (9-3). Mayes is 6'6" w/81" reach and weighed in at 259. He's a strong power puncher with a rangy jab followed by looping hooks and overhand shots. He's a powerful/dangerous striker. The big whole in his game has always been grappling and he suffered an early sub in his last out due to this. Petersen is a little smaller at 6'1" 250lb, but he's a very active striker and likely will not test Mayes' grappling weakness. "The Train" will look to close distance and overwhelm Mayes with sheer volume. This probably goes over but with HWs it can always end abruptly.
• Balanos(8-4) is a good striker with good defense standing. Quang Le (8-2) is a hard nosed in-your-face fighter with no particular discipline to lean on, he's well rounded in most all faucels however with clean striking, solid wrestling, and constant forward pressure. I would lean to "The Dreamkiller" bu Le needs this fight more after coming in undefeated only to lose his first 2 in the UFC. I'll pass on this one, or at most a very minimal play.
• I'm a bit surprised to see Gillian "The Savage" Robertson (15-8) on the prelims in such a lowly card. She has went 5=1 in her last 6, is a crowd favorite and has 9 finishes in 15 wins. She's very durable and a dangerous submission artist. Rodriguez (17-5-2) has cooled lately going 1-4 in her last 5 after a very strong start in the UFC starting out 6-1-1. Puzzling is the fact she is still #9 in the Strawweight division...plus she's a +220 dog to the #12 ranked fighter. I could see Gillian sustaining some damage ewarly on, but I do think she eventually gets this to the ground and finds a finish. It could come early or late but Red will have a huge advantage when the hit the mat.
• Bekoev (19-3) should prove too much for Ryan Loder (7-1) who will make his UFC debut after winning the Ultimate Fighter 32 MW tourney. He's a strong wrestler who's strength is with relentless takedows and top control. I doubt this will bother "King Pin" who cut his teeth in the wrestle heavy Russian circuit. Berfoev's specialty of late is brutal G-n-P so we likely find out how tough Loder is.
• Miesha Tate (20-9) headlines the prelims facing off vs solid vet Yana Santos (15-8). Both fighter are 2-3 in their last 5 although "Cupcake" fought slightly higher level fighters. Santos should be the better striker. She manages range well and wears on opponents with low kicks and body shots. Miesha may have a long night if she can't find the takedowns early and often. If she does she should be a sub threat throughout. At 38 she has to be near the end, but I'll still ride with the former champ one more time. On 2ns though, I'm gonna fade Tate. I'm such a fan, but when you look at in sensibly she has nothing to fight for, probably her last fight and she's just here for a payday as she gets a high rate with her history and being an ex-champ, she prolly pulls 600k or better.

 

[mrpickem]

FIGHT NIGHT: SANDHAGEN/FIGUEIREDO​

Prelims:
3/1.28 Ivana Petrovic -235
2.97/1 Thomas Petersen -297
3/2.56 Don'Tale Mayes/Thomas Petersen o2½ -117
2/1.28 Gaston Bolanos/Quang Le o2½ -156
2/5.20 Gillian Robertson wins inside distance +260
2/4.70 Gillian Robertson/Marina Rodriguez u2½ +235
4/1.43 Azamat Bekoev -280
2/2.74 Yana Santos +137

Main Card:

• 3/3.66 Cameron Smotherman +122
• 5/2.14 Montel Jackson -234
• 1/2.45 Montel Jackson wins inside distance +245
• 2/3.00 Rodriguez / Ponzinibbio won’t go 3 round distance +150
• 2/6.00 Reinier de Ridder +300

• Little Evil gets tough matchup on comeback attempt, even at home I give him very little chance vs the new breed stud on the way up the ladder, but at -580 I can't bet it period. Tempted to throw a half on Jeremy but I'll stand down.
• Sidey (11-2) and Smotherman (12-4) will both look to bang, so it should be a fun one. I don't remember ever seeing Sidey fight myself, but he was a champ in Fury FC and has won his last 4 in dominant fashion. Still a step up no doubt so I'll back the dog lightly.
• Montel Jackson (14-2) is a fucking dog, he's got it all...elite wrestling, great defense(standing & grappling) and excellent boxing. He will have a reach advantage, so I just can't see Marcos (17-0) keeping his 0.
• D-Rodriguez (18-5) is an animal that never stop but Ponzinibbio (30-8) is a highly skilled vet with plenty tricks. Coin toss but stands a real good chance to finish early
• Reinier de Ridder (19-2) is the real deal, a two division chame at One with a 3 fight win streak in UFC, Bo has the hype, but now it's time to put up. He has a good chance to come through, but I cant lay 350 vs this guy. If the odds were more reasonable like -180 or better I'f take Bo, but call it a value play on deRidder.
• No play on main, odds are fukn whacked.

 

[mrpickem]

Looks like Cupcake came to play, not mailing it in

 

[Inspekdah]

Smootherman have the flu? I win that fight 100/100 times

 

[Inspekdah]

Great call on Santos and the prelims

 

[KJ]

Great call on the dog there, could feel the guts shots here then the liver kick was cringeworthy

 

[mrpickem]

Performance Bonuses:​

Quang Le​

Quang Le def. Gaston Bolanos via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – 1:54, Round 1

Azamat Bekoev​

Azamat Bekoev def. Ryan Loder via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:44 After pleading for the UFC to sign him, Azamat Bekoev (20-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is proving he belongs. His second octagon appearance saw him score a second consecutive first-round knockout when he floored "The Ultimate Fighter" winner Ryan Loder (7-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) less than three minutes into the opening round of their middleweight bout.

Reinier de Ridder​

Reinier de Ridder def. Bo Nickal via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:53 Reinier de Ridder (20-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) pulled off the stunner of the night when he lit up highly touted middleweight prospect Bo Nickal (7-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC). The former two-division ONE Championship titleholder worked the body before a final knee sent Nickal crumpling to the mat for the TKO, giving him his first octagon bonus in an upset.

Cory Sandhagen​

Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO (injury) – Round 2, 4:08 Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) delivered a ruthless destruction of Figueiredo (24-5-1 MMA, 13-5-1 UFC) in the main event, battering the former flyweight champion in the first, then tangling his leg for an injury TKO finish in the second. The "Sand Man" becomes the ninth bantamweight to be awarded five or more fight-night bonuses.


Card over delivered IMO considering the lack of star power. If worked out great for me, but it usually does when you hit 4 dog plays of +235 or better.

FIGHT NIGHT:SANDHAGEN/FIGUEIREDO​

Prelims:
3/1.28 Ivana Petrovic -235
2.97/1 Thomas Petersen -297
3/2.56 Don'Tale Mayes/Thomas Petersen o2½ -117
2/1.28 Gaston Bolanos/Quang Le o2½ -156
2/5.20 Gillian Robertson wins inside distance +260
2/4.70 Gillian Robertson/Marina Rodriguez u2½ +235
4/1.43 Azamat Bekoev -280
2/2.74 Yana Santos +137

Main Card:
3/3.66 Cameron Smotherman +122
5/2.14 Montel Jackson -234
1/2.45 Montel Jackson wins inside distance +245
2/3.00 Rodriguez / Ponzinibbio won’t go distance +150
2/6.00 Reinier de Ridder +300
[9-4 +19.77u]

After a couple decent weeks, my record on the year looks much better...