RADIO
Justin Bales gives his DraftKings MMA DFS lineup picks for the Fight Night 111 Main Card. Get a head start on your UFC DFS lineups for DraftKings.
What's up RotoBallers. In this column, I will be taking a look at the main card for Fight Night 111. 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: 123-59).
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 Fight Night 111.
Editor's Note: Interested in RotoBaller's MMA DFS Cheat Sheet with advanced fighter statistics, deep analysis and detailed insights from MMA DFS Expert Justin Bales? Let us know here.
Tarec Saffiedine vs Rafael Dos Anjos
This is a great opportunity for Saffiedine, while it is a big of a savoir fight for Dos Anjos. Saffiedine has lost three of his last four fights, and it’s a bit shocking that he got a matchup against Dos Anjos, who is ranked in the top-5. Dos Anjos has only lost three times since 2011, but each of those losses have been against top-5 opponents. Dos Anjos sets up his takedowns well, but Saffiedine has some of the best takedown defense in this division. This fight will likely play out on the feet for the majority of it, although Dos Anjos should be able to land a couple of takedowns. Dos Anjos’ striking has a slight edge in his because of his power, and he should walk away with the decision victory.
Rafael Dos Anjos via Unanimous Decision
Dong Hyun Kim vs Colby Covington
This is the most intriguing fight on the entire card in my opinion. Covington is an up-and-coming prospect, who possesses elite skills, while Kim has only lost to three of the best welterweights in the history of the UFC. Covington has yet to fight anyone near the caliber of Kim, but Covington could be the best wrestler Kim has ever fought. If Covington can get this fight to the ground, it will be a long night for Kim. If Kim can keep this fight standing, he will have the edge over Covington. Covington is relentless in his takedown attempts, and his chin has held up thus far in the UFC. That will be the case again this weekend.
Colby Covington via Unanimous Decision
Andrei Arlovski vs Marcin Tybura
As a fan, I wish Arlovski would retire at this point, as he is one of the best ever in MMA, but he has been reduced to somewhat of a stepping stone in the heavyweight division. Tybura is an up-and-coming fighter, who is coming off two impressive knockouts. He is more accurate with his strikes and comes with better striking defense. Arlovski can no longer take a punch the same way he could before, and it is only a matter of time before Tybura picks up another impressive knockout, while moving up the ranks.
Marcin Tybura, TKO, 1st Round
Holly Holm vs Bethe Correia
Holm and Correia have both been on losing skids recently, as they have a combined 1-5-1 record in their last seven fights. Holm is a significant size and reach advantage, and she should be able to keep Correia on the outside for the majority of this fight. Correia will need to get inside to land punches, and that will be no easy task. Holm should be able to outpoint Correia on her way to another decision victory.
Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
