UFC St. Louis Quick Picks & Bets (Patreon)
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Derrick Lewis
I shouldn't feel confident in Lewis but I am. Nascimento can't go to close decisions against Boser, Latifi, and Mayes to be taken seriously. Lewis isn't the same fighter he once was but shouldn't lose to this guy.
Nursulton Ruziboev
I'm just not a Buckley guy. He's explosive, athletic, and fast but who cares. Ruziboev I still have questions about but he has so much size on Buckley. Ruziboev just needs to stay off his back and I think he can control this on the outside and catch Buckley coming in.
Carlos Ulberg
Went back and forth on this fight. Ultimately I think Ulberg can use his length and technical ability to out point Menifield. Menifield tends to let whoever he's fighting dictate the pace and he wins off toughness , power, and the bigger moments. I expect Ulberg to bring a methodical approach and win off being the way better striker/kickboxer.
Mateusz Rebecki
Confident in Rebecki. CDF is 39 and you can see in his recent fight. Only way I see CDF winning is catching Rebecki in a submission. Rebecki I believe will keep the fight standing a bomb away for a TKO. I do think he can mix in wrestling as well.
Sean Woodson
Close fight to call IMO. I think it will be a slower fight where both are gonna focus on point fighting. I just like the range and boxing more of Woodson. If Woodson is aggressive I think he looks like a big favorite. Woodson probably by a close decisions.
Robelis Despaigne
The time to fade Despaigne is coming but now yet. Waldo is not gonna push the pace nor is he athletic enough or fast to keep up with Despaigne. Waldo has a chin but who was it really tested against. Despaigne by another early knockout.
Slava Borshchekkmiv
Slava is the clear pick for me. Sure Hooper most likely wins if he gets the takedown but his wrestling in non-existent. He never brings a heavy wrestling approach. Hooper has a thing for getting punched in the face and he's going against a nasty striker.
Esteban Ribovics
A McKinney fight seems pretty easy to ca nowadays. If he don't kill Ribovics he'll fade and get out away. That's what I believe happens. Ribovics is tough as hell and has a solid gas tank and that's the recipe to beat McKinney.
Tabatha Ricci
I don't have too much to say about this fight. Torres is coming off two-year layoff and is 34. Id pick Torres if she was in her prime but she's not. Ricci is the side because the youth and upside.
Trey Waters
This is my most confident pick of the card. Credit to Goff as he's tougher than a two dollar steak. Toughness can only take you so far especially when you're going against a much bigger talented striker. Goff is gonna have to hope Waters blows his wad. I don't see it happing cause he'll be able to control the pace.
Charles Johnson
Hadley can't be trusted. People will say the same about Johnson but he's just had tough match ups. Hadley is the better grappler but not the wrestling. Hadley has power but I strongly favor Johnson as his technique and defense is better. I was high on Hadley at one point and I can't trust him against someone who just won't fold with adversity.
Kevin Jousset
Jousset makes this fight close with how he puts his chin in the air. Gooden has a real shot if he lands but I don't expect him to. Jousset I believe will use damaging leg kicks. Jousset's defense needs work but it's not any better for Gooden. Jousset skill for skill should be a -300 favorite.
Veronica Hardy
People like Aldrich but Ive never been a fan of her game. Hardy has looks so improved since her return to the cage. She outguns Aldrich on the feet and I believe would win off volume at the very least. I'm oddly confident in Hardy even though it's WMMA.
Bets
Veronica Hardy ML -141
I probably would be okay betting this until -165
Jousset/Gooden FDGTD -130
I like Jousset to finish but not confident in how he finishes and I don't like his ITD line.
Charles Johnson ML +121
It's a close fight that I would take anyone at plus money.
Trey Waters ML -160
Easy money. I'd bet this line all the way up to -300.
Esteban Ribovics ML -160
Another one I think is easy money. I'd bet this one all the way up to -200. Maybe even a better live bet after round one.
Slava Borshchev ML -140
Favorable matchup for Slava. If Hooper had better wrestling or even decent striking defense I'd stay away.