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Justin Bales gives his DraftKings MMA DFS lineup picks for the Fight Night 108 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 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: 103-52).
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 Expert Justin Bales? Let us know here.
Jake Ellenberger vs Mike Perry
This is a way to start the fight card off with a bang. Ellenberger used to be a high-level fighter, but he has lost six of his last eight fights, while getting finished in four of those fights. Perry, on the other hand, is an up-and-comer, who has powerful hands, good takedown defense, and a great chin. He is known for walking through punches, while looking for the knockout for 15 minutes. Ellenberger’s chin has given out on him a bit recently, and Perry should be able to get back on track with a knockout this week.
Mike Perry via TKO, 2nd Round
Joe Lauzon vs Stevie Ray
Ray enters this fight with a 4-1 UFC record, but he’ll get his toughest test to date with Lauzon. Lauzon has been facing high-level competition for a decade, and he has multiple ways to win a fight. He’ll be looking to mix in takedowns with his striking in this fight, while Ray will want to keep this fight strictly on the feet. Lauzon is a relentless fighter, though, and he should be able to work enough to pick up the victory this weekend.
Joe Lauzon via Submission, 3rd Round
John Dodson vs Eddie Wineland
Wineland is a unique fighter, who has surprisingly elite striking defense, as he lovers to keep his hands low and rely heavily on head movement. Dodson is a great striker, though, who will be looking to use his quick hands to connect on the open chin of Wineland. This fight is going to take place on the fight, and Dodson will be able to out-strike Wineland. He could end this fight with a knockout, but an impressive decision win is more likely.
John Dodson via Unaimous Decision
Ovince Saint Preux vs Marcos Rogerio De Lima
This is an interesting fight. Saint Preux has been on a bit of a skid recently, but he finally gets a fight in which he has better cardio than his opponent. Rogerio De Lima is a fighter that tends to finish his opponents early in the fight or gasses trying. Saint Preux is an athletic fighter, who should be able to avoid big punches until Rogerio De Lima tires. Once that is the case, Saint Preux should be able to get back on track with an impressive finish.
Ovince Saint Preux via TKO, 2nd Round
Al Iaquinta vs Diego Sanchez
This should be a fun fight simply because Sanchez loves putting on a show and Iaquinta is no slouch in his own right. With that being said, Sanchez is nearing the end of his career, while Iaquinta is entering his prime. He hasn’t fought in slightly over two years, which is extremely worrisome, but Iaquinta should be able to dictate where this fight takes place, and he should have no problems out-striking Sanchez. With that being said, it’s unlikely he is able to finish the durable Sanchez.
Al Iaquinta via Unanimous Decision
Cub Swanson vs Artem Lobov
This fight should be seen as disrespectful for fight fans. Swanson recently stated that he took this fight because “Lobov called him a bitch and he wants to punch him in the mouth.” I suppose he needs to protect his manhood, but this makes no sense. Swanson is coming off a great win against Doo Ho Choi, while Lobov is only in the UFC because he trains with Conor McGregor. Swanson has been fighting elite level talent, while Lobov has been losing to guys like Ryan Hall and Alex White. Lobov could land one big punch, but Swanson’s chin has proven to be too good to let that affect him. Swanson is going to dominate Lobov during every second of this fight, and will pick up the easy win. Hopefully the UFC sees that fighters can’t simply be put into main events because they talk a big game to the media.
Cub Swanson via TKO, 3rd Round
