Randoms...
Cifers +260 : Hannah came in heavy, bad weight cut? or smart strategy for a little more strength? History sez to bet the fighter that comes in heavy, and this is women’s mma. No value laying -290ish on a fighter who sticks her chin straight in the air against someone who throws with power as much as Cifers. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Cifers hurt/finish Mallory.
Pitolo +127 : Appears a close fight on paper. Impa's a boring grinder, but quite frankly, he is very decent at it. Maki has the obvious fight IQ disadvantage but has a clear power and volume advantage. I like Makis wrestling (when he uses it) and I think his volume may be too much for Impa. Likely roll with dude with actual UFC experience over the newcomer...
Grasso -265 : Probably play mostly by decision (Toss up fight with Grasso moving weight class, but her volume striking should be enough)
Magny -250 : Also likely decision. Robbie has in-explicitly morphed into a strange counter punching style that has not suited his natural talents. Magny also has an emergency exit strategy via the clinch)
Smith +225 & Over 1.5 -165 : Despite 2 of his 4 UFC wins being by KO, I wouldn’t consider Rakic a knockout artist yet. One of them was against Manuwa, who’s been knocked out in 5 of his last 6 losses, and the other against Clark, who he caught with a spinning backfist which was a little flukey. Rakic is pretty explosive though, especially in the first round. However, he doesn’t really seem to hunt for the first round KO if it’s not there. Smith is usually a rather slow starter, but more importantly, he is very tough. Prior to the Teixeira fight, Smith was getting beat up by Gustaffson and Oezdemir for 3/4 rounds before coming back for the finish. He’s only had 3 losses by KO/TKO. One in his last fight, which wasn’t really an issue of durability, but stamina, where he gassed hard after the second round and was just not doing anything, The second by Thiago Santos who is a legit knockout artist, and the last one in 2011. The main concern is Smith coming off a pretty nasty beating just 3 months ago. Honestly, it wasn’t a brutal knockout, he was still conscious but was just way too gassed to do anything. After that beatdown I think Smith will pace himself better this fight. He’ll likely be more cautious and not have the output he did in the Teixeira fight. However, this being a 3 round fight, I think he’ll have the opportunity to start quick and play it safe mid/late 3rd when he starts to gas. I actually think Smith can win this fight if he fights like he did against Teixeira in the first 2 rounds. Regardless, I don’t think Smith has the power to finish Rakic, who is quite durable himself. The over seems the play of the day and it's ridiculous the Radic is laying this kind of chalk...Huge value with Smith.
Cifers +260 : Hannah came in heavy, bad weight cut? or smart strategy for a little more strength? History sez to bet the fighter that comes in heavy, and this is women’s mma. No value laying -290ish on a fighter who sticks her chin straight in the air against someone who throws with power as much as Cifers. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Cifers hurt/finish Mallory.
Pitolo +127 : Appears a close fight on paper. Impa's a boring grinder, but quite frankly, he is very decent at it. Maki has the obvious fight IQ disadvantage but has a clear power and volume advantage. I like Makis wrestling (when he uses it) and I think his volume may be too much for Impa. Likely roll with dude with actual UFC experience over the newcomer...
Grasso -265 : Probably play mostly by decision (Toss up fight with Grasso moving weight class, but her volume striking should be enough)
Magny -250 : Also likely decision. Robbie has in-explicitly morphed into a strange counter punching style that has not suited his natural talents. Magny also has an emergency exit strategy via the clinch)
Smith +225 & Over 1.5 -165 : Despite 2 of his 4 UFC wins being by KO, I wouldn’t consider Rakic a knockout artist yet. One of them was against Manuwa, who’s been knocked out in 5 of his last 6 losses, and the other against Clark, who he caught with a spinning backfist which was a little flukey. Rakic is pretty explosive though, especially in the first round. However, he doesn’t really seem to hunt for the first round KO if it’s not there. Smith is usually a rather slow starter, but more importantly, he is very tough. Prior to the Teixeira fight, Smith was getting beat up by Gustaffson and Oezdemir for 3/4 rounds before coming back for the finish. He’s only had 3 losses by KO/TKO. One in his last fight, which wasn’t really an issue of durability, but stamina, where he gassed hard after the second round and was just not doing anything, The second by Thiago Santos who is a legit knockout artist, and the last one in 2011. The main concern is Smith coming off a pretty nasty beating just 3 months ago. Honestly, it wasn’t a brutal knockout, he was still conscious but was just way too gassed to do anything. After that beatdown I think Smith will pace himself better this fight. He’ll likely be more cautious and not have the output he did in the Teixeira fight. However, this being a 3 round fight, I think he’ll have the opportunity to start quick and play it safe mid/late 3rd when he starts to gas. I actually think Smith can win this fight if he fights like he did against Teixeira in the first 2 rounds. Regardless, I don’t think Smith has the power to finish Rakic, who is quite durable himself. The over seems the play of the day and it's ridiculous the Radic is laying this kind of chalk...Huge value with Smith.
