RADIO
We're back with another edition of the DraftKings MMA Preview and UFC DFS Lineup Picks, and I'm sure glad to be back, it's been a long three weeks off.
As usual, I’ve broken down my DraftKings MMA picks into thee sections: Cash game targets, GPP targets and fighters to avoid. I’ll explain what each category signifies below:
- Cash Game: These fighters are great targets in 50/50 or H2H contests, where 50 percent of the field wins money.
- GPP: These fighters are great targets in GPPs (Guaranteed Prize Pools) or tournaments, which require riskier selection in order to win first place.
- Avoid: These are fighters who I will be staying away from.
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MMA DFS for DraftKings – Cash Game Targets
1. Josh Barnett (10.8k)
In an event with little finishing power, I think taking the heavyweight favorite in the main event is a solid play to anchor your cash games. Barnett is facing a notable name in Roy Nelson, but Nelson's name carries more value at this point than does his skill set.
Nelson still carries dynamite in his right hand, but he's very limited to that option, and if it fails, his plan B is to do nothing. Barnett is an equally good striker minus the power, and at this point he's on a totally different level in the grappling department. Barnett has elite submission grappling skills, and I expect him to wear out Nelson over the course of five rounds.
Barnett should look to clinch and dirty box, and he should eventually get the fight to the ground. I think his best chance to win is late in the fight with a TKO or submission in the final rounds a distinct possibility.
2. Nick Hein (10.9k)
Nick Hein is a relatively underrated fighter who I'm high on in this fight, and I think he's very safe for a win. He's fighting Yusuke Kasuya, who's a good grappler and has a shot to win by submission if he can get the fight to the floor, but I don't think he's going to successful in doing so.
Hein is a very strong judo player and has yet to be taken down in the UFC. I don't think Kasuya is the guy to do it. On the feet, Hein has a developed boxing game with heavy hands, and he should be able to pick apart Kasuya. Kasuya's stand-up defense is sub par, and it wouldn't shock me to see Hein land big shots and earn a finish at some point.
MMA DFS for DraftKings – GPP Targets
1. Diego Brandao (10.6k)
I really like Diego Brandao for tournaments this week, and I'm even debating him in cash games. He has one of the highest ceilings on the entire card, and is the most likely person to finish in the first round, in my opinion.
Brandao has notable issues in his mental game, and he's known for tiring immediately after the first round. There's always that chance he exhausts himself and loses late in the fight, but in reality, he should be able to finish this fight early.
I'm not a fan of his opponent, Katsunori Kikuno. More specifically, I'm not a fan of the way Kikuno strikes, with a square stance and his hands below his chest. He's very easy to hit, and that's something that good fighters have an will take advantage of.
2. Shinsho Anzai (9.7k)
This is a close, near pickem fight, but I'll be taking Shinsho Anzai over Roger Zapata in this fight. Both fighters have weakness in their game and leave holes for their opponents to capitalize on, and that tells me that a finish is more than likely.
Anzai is wildly aggressive to a fault, and that has cost him in the past. He's coming off a TKO loss in his UFC debut, but that was on 10 days notice, and I will give him a pass. Zapata hasn't fought since his poor stint on TUF 19, but he'll be looking to stand and trade with Anzai in this fight.
Anzai will be the fighter to pressure and move forward in this fight, and that's why I like him. I think there's a good chance he can overwhelm Zapata and land shots early.
MMA DFS for DrafKings – Fighters to Avoid
1. Gegard Mousasi (11.3k)
For the second week in a row, I'm going to recommend a fade on the top-priced fighter in Gegard Mousasi. It's not because I think Uriah Hall is going to beat him, but I think the low chance of finishing makes his price simply too expensive.
Mousasi will more than likely look to take this fight to the ground, and I do think he has a chance at submitting Hall late in the fight. But Hall is a tough dude, and I expect him to put up a fight (pun intended). If Mousasi takes Hall to a decision, he probably won't score more than 60 points, and that's not worth it.
Hope you enjoy! Follow me on Twitter @BrettAppley and @DailyFanMMA
