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Justin and Jason Bales give their DraftKings MMA DFS lineup picks for the UFC on Fox 24 Main Card. Get a head start on your UFC DFS lineups for DraftKings.
What's up RotoBallers. In this column, Jason and I will be taking a look at the main card for UFC on Fox 24. Our analysis will help you with your DraftKings MMA lineups. We will be keeping track based on picking winners and losers. We will also predict how the fight will be finished, but that will not reflect in the records (Justin's Record: 102-49, Jason's Record: 82-69).
MMA has one of the best sweats in DFS. Two fighters compete at a time with only one coming out as the winner. It's the best feeling in the world when you are watching the main event of a show and know you need a first round knockout to win the entire tournament. And nothing feels worse than when you need a first round knockout by Stipe Miocic to win thousands of dollars in a tournament, but when he lands that knockout punch, you realize that you placed 14th because Jacare Souza was too dominant in a previous fight. This was a serious scenario that I had to live through when Miocic won the Heavyweight Championship. Without anymore waiting, here are our DFS lineup picks and DraftKings analysis for the main card at UFC on Fox 24.
Editor's Note: Interested in RotoBaller's MMA DFS Cheat Sheet with advanced fighter statistics, deep analysis and detailed insights from MMA DFS Experts Jason and Justin Bales? Let us know here.
Jeremy Stephens vs Renato Moicano
Justin’s Pick
Jeremy Stephens has been on a bit of a skid recently, but there’s a reason people aren’t lining up to fight him. Renato Moicano, on the other hand, is undefeated and is looking for this to be his platform to stardom. Moicano’s only problem is that he has never faced anyone nearly as good as Stephens, and he simply will not be ready for the jump in talent. He could potentially work Stephens into a bad position and slip a submission in, but that is highly unlikely. Stephens is a veteran, who will be looking to keep this standing where he has a distinct power advantage. If he’s able to do that, it will only be a matter of time before he picks up his 17th victory via (T)KO.
Jeremy Stephens via TKO, 3rd Round
Jason’s Pick
Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens has been dying for a fight for the last few months. It looks like the UFC finally got it done. Renato Moicano is either extremely confident in his abilities or simply insane. Stephens is a much better fighter at this point in time. As Justin so expertly comments, Moicano is not ready for this kind of jump in competition. Stephens will get back to his winning ways, and more fighters are going to have to start stepping up to fight him. He is a very dangerous man.
Jeremy Stephens via TKO, 1st Round
Ronaldo Souza vs Robert Whittaker
Justin’s Pick
These are two of the best middleweights in the world, and it makes for an interesting matchup. Jacare Souza will certainly be trying to take this fight to the ground, but Robert Whittaker has elite takedown defense. If this fight stays standing, Whittaker will have the advantage. That likely won’t be the case, though, as Souza is relentless in his takedown attempts, but also has enough striking prowess to keep this fight interesting. Similarly to the first fight, I think this is going to be too big of a jump in competition for Whittaker to come away with the victory.
Ronaldo Souza via Submission, 2nd Round
Jason’s Pick
First things first, Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker is no joke. He is one of the best fighters in the world, and he showed that against Derek Brunson. Unfortunately, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza is standing in his way this Saturday. Souza deserves a title shot very shortly, but it does not look like that is going to happen. Regardless, Souza is the better striker, and if this fight ends up on the ground, Whittaker will be tapping within a couple of minutes. There is just no where that Whittaker has an advantage. He throws more frequently from his feet, but that does not mean he is the better fighter standing. Souza is just a little bit more selective with his punches.
Ronaldo Souza via Submission, 3rd Round
Rose Namajunas vs Michelle Waterson
Justin’s Pick
There were a lot of question marks surrounding Michelle Waterson’s health before her fight with Paige Van Zant, but she put those to rest with a first round submission. Rose Namajunas was also able to submit Paige Van Zant, but that was a year prior to Waterson’s fight. Since then, Namajunas split a pair of fights, losing her last one to Karolina Kowalkiewicz. The story of this fight will be whether or not Namajunas can break Waterson’s defense. I don’t see that happening, and Waterson should be able to win this fight, regardless of where he decides it will take place.
Michelle Waterson via Unanimous Decision
Jason’s Pick
Rose “Thug” Namajunas is a step up in competition for Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson, but Vegas is undervaluing Waterson’s time off. She is ready for the next step in competition, and in two or three more fighters, Waterson will be fighting for the title. She is one of the best female fighters in the world, has great defense, has great takedown ability, and can submit anyone in the UFC. Namajunas, like Justin said earlier, will have to get past Waterson’s defense, and that is just not going to happen.
Michelle Waterson via Submission, 2nd Round
Demetrious Johnson vs Wilson Reis
Justin’s Pick
Wilson Reis was scheduled to fight for the flyweight belt a while ago, but an injury to Demetrious Johnson derailed that fight until now. Reis is going to try to use his wrestling to neutralize Johnson, and while he will be able to land a few takedowns in this fight, that does not mean he’s going to be able to keep Johnson down. There is a reason Johnson is undefeated at flyweight and has not lost a fight since 2012. He’s going to be able to pick Reis apart on the feet, and he’ll also likely land a few takedowns of his own. It’s only a matter of time before he picks up another win.
Demetrious Johnson via Unanimous Decision
Jason’s Pick
The problem with Wilson Reis winning this fight is that the fight is five rounds. Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson is going to be able to keep Reis from finishing him, but Reis will continue to pressure and look for takedowns. While the fight is on the feet, Reis can hold his own. This is going to be a very difficult fight for Johnson, and despite Vegas having the fight at a large margin in favor of Johnson, he will have to fall eventually. If he does win, he will get that sought after match against Cody Garbrandt, but he might have to take that fight at 135 pounds. Reis can win this fight.
Wilson Reis via Unanimous Decision
